News Stories

Voting delegates at the annual American Farm Bureau Federation convention, Jan. 11, voiced strong support for continuing the concepts of the current farm program, including direct payments and crop insurance. Heading into the convention, there was speculation farmers would be split on the direction of the next farm bill concerning continuation of direct payments versus expanding revenue crop insurance programs. “We were very pleased the delegates agreed with our desire to continue direct farm program payments in the next farm bill,” said OFB President Mike Spradling. “The current farm bill has successfully provided a good safety net for our producers […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau members collected more than 900 pounds of food for Governor Mary Fallin’s “Feeding Oklahoma” Food Drive. Collection points were established in county Farm Bureau offices throughout the state. “Oklahoma Farm Bureau was 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.” The 900 pounds was part of the 20,000 pounds of food collected during the more than two-week food drive culminating in […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau is partnering with Governor-elect Mary Fallin in her inaugural “Feeding Oklahoma” Food Drive. From now until January 10, Farm Bureau offices in each county across the state will serve as designated drop-off locations for donations during the food drive. “Oklahoma Farm Bureau is pleased to assist Governor-elect Fallin in her inaugural food drive,” 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.” The “Feeding Oklahoma” food drive is another important opportunity, like OFB’s […]

Five leading agriculture producers have been appointed to a newly-formed farm bill advisory committee by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Board of Directors. The five producers are Scott Neufeld, Fairview; Keith Kisling, Burlington; Jimmy Wayne Kinder, Walters; Greg Leonard, Afton; and Matt Muller, Altus. “This is an outstanding group of leaders who are highly respected around the state for their leadership abilities,” said Mike Spradling, OFB president. The committee, under the direction of the OFB Board of Directors, will explore and study policy development that would benefit production agriculture.  The committee will meet with congressional leaders, state and national farm groups […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau honored a trio during its 69th annual meeting in Oklahoma City with Distinguished Service Awards. The pair of awards is designed to honor those who have made outstanding contributions to agriculture and to Oklahoma Farm Bureau, according to OFB Executive Director Monica Wilke. For the first time since the award has been presented, a husband and wife were joint recipients of the Distinguished Service to Oklahoma Agriculture Award. And, a former OFB state director was honored with the Distinguished Service to Oklahoma Farm Bureau Award. Wallace and Doris Lee Howard of Woodward became the first couple to […]

LeFlore County’s Brian and LaSheil Knowles were named Oklahoma Farm Bureau YF&R Achievement Award winners Nov. 20 at the 69th annual convention in Oklahoma City. The YF&R Achievement Award honors the state’s top young farmer or farm family for their achievements in the farming business and their leadership in the agricultural community. The Keota couple received an expense-paid trip to the 2011 American Farm Bureau Federation convention in Atlanta, Ga., to represent Oklahoma in the national contest, where they will compete for Dodge pickups and Arctic Cat four-wheelers. As the Oklahoma winner, the Knowles received a year’s use of a […]

Jackson County’s T.J. and Diane Beach were named Oklahoma Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year Nov. 20 at the 69th annual state convention in Oklahoma City. A panel of judges selected the Elmer family from 13 entries in the annual contest, which honors the farm family who best represents farming and ranching and the spirit of Oklahoma agriculture. The farm couple received use of a new Dodge pickup for a year, an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting in Atlanta, Ga., and other gifts in recognition of their accomplishments. The couple has four children, including […]

Pottawatomie County’s Jeff and Sarah Weeks were recognized with Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award Nov. 20 at the 69th annual convention in Oklahoma City. The award recognizes successful young people 35 or younger who are involved in farming but whose primary occupations are not farming or owning an agricultural business. The award is based on their involvement in agriculture and participation in Oklahoma Farm Bureau and other community organizations. The couple received a four-wheeler ATV courtesy of Farm Credit, plus a trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation convention in Atlanta, Ga., to represent Oklahoma in the […]

Voting delegates to the 69th annual meeting of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau said they want the federal government to continue direct assistance payments in the next farm bill.  The meeting was held Nov. 19-21 at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City. “Our top priority is the continuation of direct payments and revenue assurance programs,” said OFB President Mike Spradling.  “The payments provide producers flexibility to grow various crops while providing income support.” The resolution stated: “We support a program or policy tool, like direct payments, that continues to provide a fixed share of the federal budget allocation for agriculture, […]

Former legislator and Oklahoma Farm Service Agency director Jim Reese’s appointment as the new secretary of agriculture is receiving support from the state’s largest farm organization. “We respect and support Governor-elect Mary Fallin’s appointment of Jim Reese as agriculture secretary,” said Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. “The governor-elect was fortunate to have a large pool of dedicated Oklahoma agriculture leaders to choose from, and we are looking forward to working with Jim,” Spradling said. “We had a good working relationship with Jim when he was in the statehouse and when he was serving as FSA director,” Spradling said. While […]