News Stories

Monica Wilke has been named executive director for Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Affiliated Companies. The Grandfield native has been serving as acting executive director since Matt Wilson’s retirement announcement in July. “The Board of Directors realized the challenges we faced with the announcement of Matt Wilson’s retirement, but at the same time recognized the opportunities that a search for a new executive director presented the organization,” said Mike Spradling, OFB president.  “Monica Wilke brings a new, fresh perspective, unique thoughts and ideas to move our organization forward.  The Board has the utmost respect and confidence in her ability to achieve […]

Maybe it was the weather. Maybe the rural crowds were inspired by the political town hall meetings sweeping across the country in August. Or, maybe Farm Bureau families were just carrying on with a long-held August tradition when they showed up in impressive numbers for OFB’s annual August area meetings. Regardless of the reason, the meetings provided a snapshot of rural attitudes going into the fall. "The numbers (of those attending) were tremendous and most were optimistic about the future," said Mike Spradling, president of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. The OFB leader said he noticed a slight increase in rural […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s public policy team is undergoing minor adjustments to take advantage of staff strengths. Tyler Norvell has been named director of state affairs and will be the lead lobbyist at the state capitol. “Tyler is extremely knowledgeable about agricultural issues and the political process,” said Lori Kromer Peterson, vice president of public policy. “Members and lawmakers will see him on a daily basis during the legislative session, representing Farm Bureau interests.” Peterson said she will continue to use her experience as a lobbyist and attorney to benefit Farm Bureau but will now be able to expand her duties […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau and affiliated companies Executive Director Matt Wilson announced his retirement July 15, after 32 years of service to the Farm Bureau family. “On behalf of Oklahoma Farm Bureau and affiliated companies, the board of directors wishes to thank Mr. Wilson for his more than 30 years of dedicated work,” said Mike Spradling, president of OFB and affiliated companies. “His efforts have been instrumental in establishing OFB as a national leader in Farm Bureau and the agriculture industry.” The board appointed Monica Wilke, OFB and affiliated companies’ general counsel, as acting executive director.

The leader of the state’s largest farm organization believes passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (HR 2454) will cause great financial hardship for rural Oklahoma. “We are disappointed in the House passage of HR 2454 and urge the Senate to vote ‘no’ on the bill,” said Mike Spradling, president of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. “We are strongly opposed to the legislation because of its long-reaching impact on electricity generation.” Spradling said Oklahoma could be hit hard by the legislation because of the proliferation of coal-fired electrical generation plants in the state. “The rural electric cooperatives estimate this […]

The leader of the state’s largest farm organization believes farmers and ranchers harvested an overflowing bushel basket of victories from the 2009 Oklahoma legislative session. “This has been a great session for our farm and ranch families,” said Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. The biggest highlight was passage of HB 2151, the livestock preemption bill. The bill requires the Department of Agriculture set the standard for care and handling of livestock in Oklahoma. It does not affect municipal zoning laws as some opponents had earlier feared. “This legislation has been a priority for our members and we want to […]

When Governor Brad Henry signed the livestock preemption bill (HB 2151) into law May 12, he protected animal agriculture and gained the praise of the state’s largest farm organization. “We are extremely pleased Governor Henry is supporting the animal agriculture industry by signing HB 2151,” said Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. The bill directs the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and Forestry to be responsible for enforcing a uniform standard for the care and handling of livestock. It does not affect municipal zoning laws as some opponents had earlier feared. “This legislation has been a priority for our farmers and […]

Neither an economic slowdown nor damp weather could prevent 116 golfers from supporting the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation May 8 during the Foundation’s annual golf tournament. The event, held at Cimarron Trails Golf Course, Perkins, raised more than $11,000 for the Foundation. “We are extremely pleased and appreciate the support of all those participating in our tournament,” said Marla Peek, OFB Legal Foundation director. The money will used to fund projects protecting private property rights and production agriculture. “The Foundation strives to serve farmers and ranchers by engaging in public interest litigation and researching legal issues affecting family farmers […]

During a late March lobbying trip to Washington, D.C., Oklahoma Farm Bureau leaders spent much of their time "educating" public officials and staff on agricultural issues. The effort was necessary as the new administration is populated with key staff members possessing little agricultural knowledge. "We’re a small minority but we produce 100 percent of the food and fiber necessary to run this country and we think that’s pretty important," said Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. He noted Oklahoma is fortunate to have a congressional delegation that understands rural and agricultural issues, but that is not the case for many […]

The state’s largest farm organization is throwing its support behind legislation that will protect animal agriculture in Oklahoma. Representative Don Armes and Senator Mike Schulz have authored companion bills referred to as livestock preemption legislation. The bills, HB 2151 and SB 452, are aimed at avoiding a ballot initiative such as what happened last November in California with Proposition 2. That legislation outlaws the confinement of certain production livestock. The proposition was strongly supported by animal rights activists. “It (HB 2151) is focused on setting a standard for the care and handling of livestock in Oklahoma,” said Rep. Armes. Oklahoma […]