Despite the assurances of legislative leaders that only a limited number of bills would be considered, the activity inside the state Capitol resumed at a rapid pace last week. The House and Senate addressed over 400 measures during a two-week return to session. Most of the attention centered on a flurry of significant actions that took place on May 13. Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed the entire $7.8 billion general appropriations bill and three other funding measures, but the state Legislature successfully overrode those vetoes before the end of the day. A large amount of agricultural legislation was advanced for floor […]
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Renew your Farm Bureau membership today with online renewal
Renewing your Oklahoma Farm Bureau membership has now become even easier! Available to existing members, renew your Oklahoma Farm Bureau membership today through our new online portal, or continue to renew in-person or by mail. To renew your membership online for the first time, you will need to do the following: To log in to your online membership profile, you will need to have an email address on file with Oklahoma Farm Bureau. To verify or set up your email address for the first time, please contact your county Farm Bureau office to add or verify an email address associated […]
OKFB Ag Fund kicks off grassroots process
Farmers and ranchers will decide which political candidates would best uphold the values of rural Oklahoma as the Ag Fund – Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s political action committee – kicks off its grassroots process over the next few weeks. Funded by voluntary dues and donations from OKFB members, the Ag Fund allows farmers and ranchers to endorse and/or financially support candidates for elected positions in Oklahoma that best represent agriculture and rural Oklahoma. The grassroots political action committee begins its process at the county level, where members make recommendations on local elections. A county representative then takes those suggestions to the […]
Eight high school seniors awarded $1,000 YF&R scholarship
The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers committee has awarded eight high school seniors with a $1,000 college scholarship. Each year the OKFB YF&R committee presents $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors pursuing a degree in agriculture at an Oklahoma accredited institution of higher learning and is available to all members of Oklahoma Farm Bureau. “Each of these scholarship recipients represents the bright future of Oklahoma agriculture and our rural communities,” said Nocona Cook, OKFB YF&R chairman. “The YF&R committee could not be more proud to support these students as they blaze their own path in agriculture.” The eight […]
USDA to host webinar for producers interested in CFAP direct payments
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service and Farm Service Agency will host a webinar on Thursday, May 14 at 12 p.m. CST for farmers, ranchers and other producers interested in applying for direct payments through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. The webinar is an opportunity for producers to learn about the general application process and required documentation prior to the official beginning of signup. Producers interested in participating may register in advance for webinar at this link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Participants may submit questions through the Q&A […]
Farm Bureau members appointed to state board of ag, conservation commission
Three Oklahoma Farm Bureau members have been confirmed to boards that oversee agriculture and conservation in the state. Brent Bolen, Clay Burtrum and Gary Crawley were appointed to positions by Gov. Kevin Stitt and confirmed by the Oklahoma State Senate. “At Farm Bureau, we’re proud to have members who are leaders across all sectors of the agricultural industry,” said Rodd Moesel, OKFB president. “Each of these members bring to their positions a wealth of knowledge and experience in agriculture that will serve Oklahoma farmers and ranchers well.” Brent Bolen, McCurtain County Farm Bureau vice president, will serve the southeast area […]
2020 Census: An update on rural response rates
The 2020 Census kicked off in mid-March as the U.S. Census Bureau works to count every person living in the United States and its five territories. Census response rates can have a significant impact on rural communities as each person counted in the census brings an estimated $16,750 to their community over the next 10 years. The population counts also determine government representation as they are used in drawing congressional and state legislative districts. With all that weighs on the results of the 2020 Census, it seems surprising that response rates would be low in rural areas. But one reason […]
Legislative update: Winding down an unconventional session
On Monday, May 4, the Oklahoma Legislature returned to the state Capitol to launch the final phase of an unorthodox and challenging 2020 session. Leaders from the House and Senate unveiled a $7.7 billion budget agreement that will be $238 million or 3.0% less than the current fiscal year. Under the plan, the $1.4 billon deficit that was projected in April by the Board of Equalization will be offset by using reserve funds and state agency appropriations reductions of 4% in most cases. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry would receive a 7% cut and the Department of […]
Ag producers invited to webinar on EIDL, PPP
Agricultural producers looking for more information about the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan and the Paycheck Protection Program are encouraged to participate in a webinar hosted by the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center on Thursday, May 7 at 9 a.m. The training will be led by an OKSBDC business advisor with experience in agriculture, along with business advisers from the SBA, Oklahoma State University Extension and OSU Food and Agricultural Products Center. The webinar is being offered at no cost, but participants must register at this link. The webinar will not be recorded because the information changes […]
Ag businesses now eligible for SBA economic injury loan
Agricultural businesses are now eligible to apply for low-interest, long-term loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan and EIDL Advance programs. SBA’s EIDL portal will reopen today as a result of funding authorized by Congress through the Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act. The legislation, signed into law by the president one week ago, provided additional funding for farmers and ranchers and certain other agricultural businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. “For more than 30 years, SBA has been prohibited by law from providing disaster assistance to agricultural businesses,” SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza said. “However, […]
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