Farm Bureau Women’s Committee members were recently entertained and educated as they gathered to discuss ideas and issues pertaining to Farm Bureau and Oklahoma agriculture at the annual FBW summer conference July 10 and 11.
Monday’s conference sessions were held on the campus of Rogers State University in Claremore and included a variety of topics.
Attendees learned about developing citizenship programs and activities from Marilynn Spence, Ruth Moeller and FBW Committee Chairwoman Clara Wichert. Merle Henderson and Desi Milacek gave the group a patriotic history lesson through a unique game of bingo.
OFB Safety Division members Dusty Applegate, Justin Grego and David Turner gave a theatrical performance demonstrating the need for emergency preparedness plans. They also discussed first aid and emergency kits and proper behavior in emergency situations.
After lunch, which included a vocal performance by Kelli Parker and a speech from OFB Executive Director Matt Wilson, participants heard from OFB Public Policy Division members Lori Peterson and Ericka McPherson. Peterson and McPherson talked about registering to vote and discussed candidates for upcoming primary and general elections. They reminded the women to vote in the primary elections slated July 25.
Mary Ann Kelsey, rural coordinator for Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom, presented information about Ag in the Classroom opportunities and showed the group fun lessons about agriculture they could use in their own presentations.
Later, OFB Director of Field Services Kathy McNally and field representatives Lindsey Childress, Thad Doye, Burton Harmon, Todd Honer and Robin Landrum informed attendees about emergency survival kits, fire prevention strategies for homes and property and Oklahoma’s emergency shelter registry program.
During Monday night’s banquet, the crowd was entertained by three vocalists from Claremore High School and heard from Steve Gragert, archivist and historian for the Will Rogers Museum.
The conference concluded Tuesday with a visit to the Will Rogers Memorial.
During the conference, a raffle raised $475 for the FBW Nurse’s Loan scholarship.