News Stories

More than a 1,000 Oklahoma agricultural leaders are expected to fill the Cox Convention Center Nov. 19-21 in downtown Oklahoma City for the annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau Convention. “This is our most important meeting of the year,” said OFB President Mike Spradling. “This is when our leaders decide policy for the organization to follow in the coming year.” The convention kicks off Friday, Nov. 19, with contests for the young farmers and ranchers followed by the opening session. Governor-elect Mary Fallin will address the group via a videotaped presentation from Washington, D.C. where she is completing her duties as Fifth […]

Tyler Norvell has been named Vice President of Public Policy for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. Norvell most recently has served the organization as director of national and state affairs and first joined OFB as a legislative specialist in 2006. Norvell replaces Lori Peterson, who will be taking over as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Railroad Association. “We are extremely pleased and excited to have someone of Tyler’s abilities ready to step into this critically-important position,” said Monica Wilke, executive director, Oklahoma Farm Bureau and affiliated companies. Norvell is a graduate of Amber-Pocasset High School and received his Bachelor of Science […]

The strong willingness to stand up for personal convictions by thousands of rural Oklahomans contributed to the defeat of State Question 744, claimed Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president.   Passage of State Question 744 would have forced the state of Oklahoma to increase educational spending by an estimated $1.7 billion, much of it coming from possible increases in property taxes.   “Our people got out and fought against this issue beginning as early as last spring,” Spradling said. “We knew it was going to be a long, uphill battle as early polling showed the majority of voters supported the […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau Executive Director Monica Wilke has been named 2010 Woman of the Year in Agriculture by the Diamond Hats organization. The prestigious award is presented to a woman in agriculture who has worked tirelessly to promote Oklahoma’s agricultural industry as well as offering support to those involved in the industry. She accepted the honor Oct. 30 at the Diamond Hats Ball in Oklahoma City at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. “I am humbled and honored to have received this award,” said Wilke. “Agriculture has been a part of my family’s life for generations. Therefore, to have […]

A resolution declaring the next farm bill should continue direct payments to farmers is among more than 90 proposals passed by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau state resolutions committee Oct. 26-27. The proposal will be voted on during the annual OFB convention Nov. 19-21 in Oklahoma City. “Our top priority is the continuation of direct payments,” said OFB President Mike Spradling. “The payments provide producers flexibility to grow various crops while providing income support.” There is concern direct payments may be eliminated since the administration is considering reducing the agriculture department’s budget. The resolutions committee supported opposition to the government’s proposed […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling of Sand Springs has been selected to receive the Honorary American FFA Degree. The award is given to those who advance agricultural education and FFA through outstanding personal commitment. Spradling, a longtime supporter of agricultural education and FFA, will be honored during an onstage presentation at the 83rd National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana Oct. 22. The National FFA Organization works to enhance the lives of youth through agricultural education. Without the efforts of highly dedicated individuals, thousands of young people would not be able to achieve success that, in turn, contributes directly to […]

An exhaustive, six-stop caravan across Oklahoma Oct. 18 yielded strong support for Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s campaign to vote against State Question 744. Making stops in El Reno, Shawnee, Clinton, Muskogee, Lawton and Tulsa, the caravan consisted of Farm Bureau leaders, state legislators and educators. “We wanted to inform voters of the devastating impact to rural areas if SQ 744 passes,” said Mike Spradling, OFB president. “We’re concerned property taxes would increase, agriculture sales tax exemptions would go away, and rural fire departments, hospitals and nursing homes would all lose funding,” Spradling said. It is estimated the state question would cost […]

A caravan of Oklahoma Farm Bureau leaders will make brief stops in six locations across the state Monday, Oct. 18, to support a “no” vote on State Question 744.   “We want voters to know the devastating impact of 744,” Mike Spradling, OFB president said. “Farmers and ranchers support education, but 744 could cost up to $1.7 billion. How are we going to pay for that? The answer is severe budget cuts and higher taxes that will cost all Oklahomans with no guarantee of improving education.”   The caravan will have both an east and west component. The eastern leg […]

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation has filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction to stop the Oklahoma Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners from enforcing emergency rules contradicting legislation passed this year.   During the 2010 legislative session, lawmakers passed House Bill 3202 clarifying certain acts of traditional animal husbandry, including pregnancy checking and equine teeth floating, were not exclusive to the practice of veterinary medicine. In August the board passed emergency rules prohibiting non-veterinarians from performing some types of animal husbandry.   “We believe they are circumventing the legal process and going against the desire of the state legislature,” Mike […]

Ericka McPherson has been named General Counsel for Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Affiliated Companies. She most recently served as Assistant General Counsel. McPherson will continue her work in the General Counsel’s office on legal, regulatory and legislative matters impacting OFB and affiliated companies.   McPherson began her career at OFB in 2005 as an attorney with the Legal Foundation. She has worked on both state and national Farm Bureau issues as OFB’s Director of National Affairs. McPherson graduated from St. Louis University and then attended Oklahoma City University, where she received her Juris Doctorate. Ericka and her husband, Cody, have […]