As more than $15 million in May 2013 tornado relief funds sit idle, Oklahoma Farm Bureau strongly encourages legislative members to defeat HJR 1092, a measure that would increase Oklahoma ad valorem taxes to build storm shelters in schools. “Our members live and work in many of the communities too often affected by tornadoes and violent weather, so we are certainly not overlooking the need for storm shelters in our schools,” said John Collison, OKFB vice president of public policy and media relations. “We are just asking the legislature to consider the millions of donated dollars still available before looking […]
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Legislative Update with John Collison
As we hit the last few days of the session we need to look back at the beginning to see what went wrong. Understand when I say wrong, I am referring to a session that saw nothing but crazy politics. From the very beginning, the session got off to a slow start when Rep. T.W. Shannon stepped down as Speaker of the House to pursue the open U.S. Senate seat. With the dominos that fell, it threw the House into turmoil. Leaders of committees fell and were replaced by loyal members to the new speaker, Rep. Jeff Hickman. Bill authors […]
Producers encouraged to donate bushels for books
As summer harvest approaches for many around the state, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee and the Oklahoma Farming and Ranching Foundation are asking producers to participate in the new Bushels for Books program created to help educate Oklahoma youth about agriculture. The program allows farmers to donate a few bushels from their harvests – either by check or through their local co-ops – to purchase bushel baskets of accurate agricultural books to be placed in Oklahoma schools. “The Bushels for Books program is an easy way for farmers across the state to ensure students understand […]
Oklahoma Farm Bureau offers home warranty program for members
Oklahoma Farm Bureau is pleased to announce an exclusive member benefit that provides protection and peace of mind for homeowners. A variety of home warranty programs are now available through Global Home, USA, in conjunction with alliance partner Wingspan Insurance Services. Home warranties help safeguard homeowners by covering the repair and/or replacement costs of home appliances, major systems such as heating and cooling and other components of a home not normally covered by a homeowner’s insurance policy. Global Home, USA provides competitive pricing, customizable programs and a dedicated support team to help OKFB members protect their homes. “We know what […]
Oklahoma Farm Bureau calls on state legislators to pass drilling tax agreement
Today, the state’s largest agricultural organization, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, voiced its support for the continued development of oil and natural gas in the state. “OKFB opposes any legislative action that would discourage exploration and production of Oklahoma natural resources,” said John Collison, OKFB vice president of public policy and media affairs. A proposal at the state Capitol would increase the state’s gross production tax on new wells from 1 percent to 2 percent for 48 months. “While Oklahoma Farm Bureau does not encourage the raising of taxes on oil and gas production, we see this as a fair compromise,” Collison […]
Lower old-crop soybean and corn numbers forecast
A new report from the Agriculture Department provides the first projections for the 2014-15 crop marketing year. But the more compelling story in today’s World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate is in the old-crop soybean and corn stock numbers, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. Ending stocks for old-crop soybeans were reduced by 5 million bushels to a projected 130 million bushels. This is a projected stocks-use ratio of 3.8 percent or about a 14-day supply of soybeans available at the end of the 2013-14 marketing year. “If the projections are realized, we’re looking at a record-tight level of soybean ending […]
The farm bill: how it works
The American Farm Bureau Federation has produced a new series of videos and launched a website to help farmers, landowners and other stakeholders better understand the provisions of the 2014 farm bill. Featured content includes videos on key commodity program and crop insurance provisions of the farm bill. “We have distilled down a massive and complex piece of legislation—the 2014 farm bill—into several ‘bite-size’ pieces, with the goal of helping farmers and managers understand how it will affect their farms,” said John Anderson, deputy chief economist with AFBF. “Now that safety net and risk management tools important in crop planning […]
Ag census shows Oklahoma producers aging slower than national rate
Oklahoma remains fourth in the nation in number of farms, according to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The agriculture census occurs every five years and takes into account details specific to the operations of farmers, ranchers and other ag producers across the United States. Farmer demographics is included in the data compiled. The 2012 numbers reflect the average age of the Oklahoma producer is equal to that of the national average; 58.3 years old. However, the age of Oklahoma producers has slowed since 2007; perhaps indicating an increase in young producers returning […]
Legislative Update with John Collison
As we enter the final few weeks of the legislative session, it will soon be time to start reflecting on what this session has brought us. Before we do that, I would like to take a larger view to look at what term limits have brought us. With term limits now in full effect, the paradigm shift that has taken place at the Capitol is in full view. Where legislators used to be older men, now we see a mix of members who are 20- and 30-somethings. Where members used to stay and serve 20, 30 and even 50 years, […]
Oklahoma Farm Bureau receives grant from AFBF Women’s Leadership Team
From a strong field of applicants, three state and four county Farm Bureaus were selected to each receive a $700 grant from the American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee to help fund “Our Food Link” activities. Grant recipients are: Oklahoma, Rhode Island and Utah Farm Bureaus; Dickey County (North Dakota), Franklin County (Virginia), Jerome County (Idaho) and Summit County (Ohio). Grant-winning programs demonstrate a strong connection between the food system and agriculture, while creatively engaging consumers in a way that encourages them to learn more about food and agricultural products. “Year-round outreach through ‘Our Food Link’ is more important than […]
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