News Stories

A resolution calling for a $2.5 million state emergency fund to aid with damage from wildfires and other natural disasters was among more than 100 resolutions passed by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau state resolutions committee Oct. 17-18 in Oklahoma City.  The proposal will be voted on during the annual OFB convention Nov. 9-11 in Oklahoma City. “We’ve dealt with a series of natural disasters in recent years and this emergency fund would with specifically help with ease the burden in rural areas of Oklahoma,” said Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. The committee also passed a resolution supporting a stronger […]

Enough money was raised for approximately 1,000 meals during the opening luncheon for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau state resolutions committee Oct. 16 in Oklahoma City.   In his address to the committee, Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling encouraged the group to contribute just one dollar apiece for Gov. Fallin’s third annual Feeding Oklahoma Food and Fund Drive.  According to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, every dollar contributed equals five meals. “This is a good way to show farmers care about those less fortunate Oklahomans who worry about where their next meal will come from.” Spradling said.  “I encourage […]

County Farm Bureau offices across Oklahoma are once again serving as food donation drop off locations for Gov. Fallin’s third annual Feeding Oklahoma Food and Fund Drive being held Oct. 15 to Nov. 15. Farm Bureau has partnered with the Governor’s food drive since its inception in 2010. “Oklahoma Farm Bureau is proud to participate in this honorable effort to feed hungry Oklahomans,” said OFB President Mike Spradling. “Farmers and ranchers produce an abundance of safe and affordable food. It is unacceptable for any man, woman or child to go to bed hungry in this nation.” During an Oct. 11 […]

More than 1,200 rural Oklahoma youths received strong support from Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers program when the farm group sponsored livestock judging contests at this year’s Oklahoma State Fair and Tulsa State Fair. “We believe these contests are a good opportunity for young people to evaluate livestock and learn public speaking skills,” said Brent Straub, Hobart young farmer and chairman of the OFB YF&R committee. Competitors judge the livestock based on the animals’ market and breeding qualities. “Anybody who wants to be involved in agriculture needs these skills,” Straub said. Contestants competed in different age brackets for […]

Alfalfa County farmer and Oklahoma Farm Bureau leader Roland Pederson, Burlington, Okla., has been appointed to the Agriculture Enhancement and Diversification Program Advisory Board. The appointment was made by Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin. The 10-member advisory board evaluates proposals made to the Agricultural Enhancement and Diversification Program under the direction of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. The Agricultural Enhancement and Diversification Program provide funds for expanding the state’s value added processing sector and to encourage farm diversification. Funds, provided on a cost-share basis, must be used for marketing and utilization, cooperative marketing, farm diversification and basic and […]

A buffalo wallow in the middle of a Garfield County pasture was the star attraction of an Aug. 23 event focused on stopping the flood of federal regulations. The buffalo wallow could fall under the EPA’s regulatory umbrella as that agency is attempting to redefine navigable waterways under the Clean Water Act. “Those of us in the High Plains recognize this as a buffalo wallow, and not a navigable waterway,” said Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. “This boils down to the fact the EPA wants to control all of the water. This control would include imposing restrictions on how […]

Oklahoma farmers and ranchers looking for help to cope with drought conditions now have additional options available to them thanks to the announcement today by Governor Mary Fallin that $1.4 million will be made available through the state wide Conservation Cost-Share Program administered by the Oklahoma Commission (Commission). Joe Parker, President of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts (OACD) said that the timing couldn’t be better for the announcement. “The conservation districts of Oklahoma are glad to see these funds available to help producers throughout the state,” Parker said. “The weight of this drought continues to press down on Oklahoma […]

Passage of a federal disaster bill is good news for drought-stressed farmers and ranchers, according to a statement released Aug. 2 by Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling. “This will offer immediate drought assistance for our producers while we wait on Congress to pass a new farm bill,” Spradling said. The U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 6233, the Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance bill, Thursday, Aug. 2. The legislation includes reauthorization of disaster assistance programs, specifically, Livestock Indemnity Payments, Livestock Forage Disaster Programs, Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish, and the Tree Assistance Program. To pay for this […]

An educational video aimed at explaining pork production to elementary school children will be premiered at the Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom summer conference Friday, Aug. 3 at the Embassy Suites, Norman. The video features nationally-known humorist and columnist Trent Loos discussing the humane care of animals and the many nutritional benefits of pork. Loos, a Nebraska farmer and rancher, is the keynote speaker for the conference which begins at 9 a.m. Loos hosts a daily radio show, Loos Tales, and is founder of Faces of Agriculture, a non-profit organization putting the human element back into the production of food. […]

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Board of Directors sent a letter to U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, R-Okla., July 20, requesting his support of the Market Access Program. The MAP is directed by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service to provide funds for international marketing and promotional activities. “This is a good program that provides assistance on a cost-share basis, targeting small businesses, farmer cooperatives, and non-profit trade organizations,” the OFB board said. The board urged Sen. Coburn to cease his efforts to cut funds for the program. MAP provides an economic return to taxpayers by bringing in $35 for every $1 invested, […]