News Stories

Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s longtime priority of clarifying the definition of animal waste as a non-hazardous substance is one step closer to fruition after the U.S. House Agriculture Committee’s markup of the 2007 Farm Bill. During the committee meeting, Congressman Steve King of Iowa introduced a Sense of Committee Resolution that stated animal manure should not be considered a hazardous substance under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), otherwise known as the Superfund law, and Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA) laws. Several committee members spoke in favor of the resolution, which passed unanimously. “OFB has worked […]

In response to an initial request by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Oklahoma Congressman Dan Boren and Congresswoman Mary Fallin, along with Alabama Congressman Robert Aderholt, have introduced legislation, H.R. 3098, which would change the definition of a commercial motor vehicle from 10,001 lbs. to 26,001 lbs. under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). “Farmers, ranchers and others who engage in interstate commerce throughout this nation need the ability to conduct their business in a fair and efficient manner,” said Ericka McPherson, OFB director of national affairs. “This change will provide much needed uniformity between state and federal law.” H.R. […]

Young farmers and ranchers from across the state will gather in Ardmore July 20-22 for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Summer Conference. OFB’s YF&R Committee welcomes young producers, ages 18 to 35, and their families to attend the three-day conference, which will take place at Hampton Inn, 110 Railway Expressway, Ardmore, OK 73401. For reservations, call 580-223-6394. The weekend’s activities include informative sessions, insightful speakers and agricultural tours, including a visit to the Noble Foundation. Registration begins at 3 p.m. at the Hampton Inn. Childcare will be available. For more information, contact OFB’s YF&R Coordinator Marcia Irvin […]

In an effort to determine the financial health of Oklahoma farms and ranches, Oklahoma Farm Bureau joined forces with Oklahoma State University to distribute a survey to the state’s producers. “We felt like we needed to know statistically the financial shape of our farmers and ranchers,” said Steve Kouplen, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. “This will help us formulate policy decisions as we work with Congress on developing a farm program that works for everyone.” There were no major surprises, said Michael Dicks, OSU agricultural economist, but a brief summary of the demographic results are interesting. * The average age of […]

Going into the start of the 2007 Oklahoma legislative session, farm and ranch leaders wanted a legal definition of animal manure to help them comply with environmental laws. When the session ended May 25, the so-called “manure bill” had passed and now ranks as the top victory for Farm Bureau during the session. “We needed to make sure animal manure would not be classified as hazardous waste,” said Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Steve Kouplen. “It seems obvious to us that manure is a beneficial soil nutrient, but until SB 709 was passed, we had little protection from environmental lawsuits.” Another […]

Nine deserving high school seniors win $1,000 ag scholarships Nine high school seniors have been awarded $1,000 college scholarships from Oklahoma Farm Bureau & Affiliated Companies and its Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee. The scholarships were awarded to students representing the nine Farm Bureau districts across the state. To qualify for the scholarships, the students must pursue agricultural degrees at an accredited Oklahoma institution of higher learning. They also must be a member of a Farm Bureau family holding a voting membership. Melissa Johanna Barth of Gage was the district one recipient. Upon graduation, Barth plans to attend Oklahoma State […]

Every step you take today impacts the environment. Today’s farmers and ranchers understand this better than anyone, said Steve Kouplen, a Beggs rancher and President of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. "We touch, smell and taste the environment with every breath as we move through the day, watching the ebb and flow of life on the land," Kouplen said. "We’re connected to the environment and we work extremely hard everyday to protect it." Kouplen cites a myriad of statistics verifying his beliefs. "Farmers and ranchers have enrolled 37 million acres of their land in the Conservation Reserve Program, protecting the environment […]

Two 20-foot wide strips of land encircling vast acreage’s of unincorporated territory previously outside the Durant municipal limits have become the focal point of a major battle over municipal annexation of private property. The Oklahoma Farm Bureau and several landowners have filed a lawsuit against the city of Durant claiming the city improperly annexed the property. “This is a classic case of taking land and increasing the regulatory burden on the landowner who had no vote in the matter,” said Steve Kouplen, Oklahoma Farm Bureau President. These strips do not meet the legal requirements for annexation. According to Oklahoma law, […]

In a remote village of Mali, West Africa, there is a cotton farmer today who understands how important his village radio station is to keeping democracy alive. During a visit to Mali March 13-25, Oklahoma Farm Bureau staff person Sam Knipp saw first hand the role journalists play in keeping citizens informed, a vital component of a healthy democracy. Knipp, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Public Relations, was one of 10 Oklahoma journalists participating in a U.S. State Department program focusing on the role journalists play in a successful democratic government. The program was coordinated by Oklahoma State University’s […]

Americans are so accustomed to having a safe and reliable food supply that they rarely consider its source. “American agriculture is responsible for providing the necessities of our everyday life – food, fiber, clothing and even fuel,” said Matt Wilson, Oklahoma Farm Bureau executive director. “With National Ag Day Wednesday, it is a great opportunity for everyone to take a moment to consider everything that went into getting that meal on the dinner table.” Farm Bureau will join producers, agricultural associations, universities, governmental agencies and others Wednesday for Ag Day at the Capitol. “We want to share the great news […]