Oklahoma Farm Bureau announced today the hiring of John Collison as the new vice president of public policy and media relations for Oklahoma Farm Bureau. “John comes to us with a wealth of political and agricultural policy knowledge and experience that is acknowledged at both the state and federal level,” said Monica Wilke, OFB Executive Director. “He has a vision for our legislative voice that will inspire and excite our members as we move into the future.” Collison is the former state director for U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe, where he spent the last thirteen years covering the state of Oklahoma […]

Farm Bureau members and staff from around the state donated enough food and money for more than 3,000 meals as part of Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin’s annual food drive.  This year’s food drive collected enough for a record 2.6 million meals. “It’s our way of giving back to our community,” said Mike Spradling, OFB President.  “It only makes sense that those who grow the food should help feed those who need it the most.  This demonstrates once again the great generosity of our farmers and ranchers.” According to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, over 675,000 Oklahomans are at risk […]

Voting delegates at the 71st annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau convention reaffirmed their position on protecting private property rights for the state’s landowners.  The annual meeting was held at the Cox Convention Center, Oklahoma City, Nov. 9-11. “Protecting private property rights has always been a priority issue for us,” said Mike Spradling, OFB President.  “Property rights are the foundation for keeping Oklahoma agriculture strong.” Delegates also voted to support voluntary regional planning groups that are non-regulatory in regards to the statewide water plan. “We are going to continue to work with legislators on this in 2013 as we recognize water is […]

Passage of State Question 766 is vital to Oklahoma farmers and ranchers, who could end up paying new property and business taxes if the voters were to reject it. “Our state’s farmers have been hit hard in recent years with drought and the economic downturn,” said Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling.  “The prospect of numerous new property taxes would make it difficult to recover from these difficult times.” SQ 766 exempts all intangible personal property from ad valorem taxation. The ballot measure was necessary following a 2009 state Supreme Court decision which opened the door to widespread taxation of […]

Southwestern Oklahoma farmer Jimmy Wayne Kinder has been appointed by Gov. Mary Fallin to serve a five-year term on the Environmental Quality Board of Directors.  Kinder currently serves on the OFB Board of Directors representing Farm Bureau members in OFB District 4 comprised of nine counties in southern Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Legislature established the Environmental Quality Board comprised of Oklahoma citizens to provide guidance to the Department of Environmental Quality.   Board members have a variety of backgrounds in manufacturing, hazardous waste management, solid waste management, petroleum industry, agriculture, recreation, conservation, rural water systems, and statewide environmental groups.  Responsibilities of the […]

With the theme “Projecting forward…with excellence,” the 71st annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau convention will be Nov. 9-11 at the Cox Convention Center, Oklahoma City. “This is our most important meeting of the year,” said OFB President Mike Spradling.  “It’s a great time for our leaders to discuss current issues and decide policy for the organization to follow in the coming year.” The convention kicks off Friday, Nov. 9, with contests for the young farmers and ranchers followed by the opening session.  Featured speakers in the opening session include U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe and Glenn Coffee representing the Oklahoma Secretary of […]

A resolution calling for a $2.5 million state emergency fund to aid with damage from wildfires and other natural disasters was among more than 100 resolutions passed by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau state resolutions committee Oct. 17-18 in Oklahoma City.  The proposal will be voted on during the annual OFB convention Nov. 9-11 in Oklahoma City. “We’ve dealt with a series of natural disasters in recent years and this emergency fund would with specifically help with ease the burden in rural areas of Oklahoma,” said Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. The committee also passed a resolution supporting a stronger […]

Enough money was raised for approximately 1,000 meals during the opening luncheon for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau state resolutions committee Oct. 16 in Oklahoma City.   In his address to the committee, Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling encouraged the group to contribute just one dollar apiece for Gov. Fallin’s third annual Feeding Oklahoma Food and Fund Drive.  According to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, every dollar contributed equals five meals. “This is a good way to show farmers care about those less fortunate Oklahomans who worry about where their next meal will come from.” Spradling said.  “I encourage […]

County Farm Bureau offices across Oklahoma are once again serving as food donation drop off locations for Gov. Fallin’s third annual Feeding Oklahoma Food and Fund Drive being held Oct. 15 to Nov. 15. Farm Bureau has partnered with the Governor’s food drive since its inception in 2010. “Oklahoma Farm Bureau is proud to participate in this honorable effort to feed hungry Oklahomans,” said OFB President Mike Spradling. “Farmers and ranchers produce an abundance of safe and affordable food. It is unacceptable for any man, woman or child to go to bed hungry in this nation.” During an Oct. 11 […]

More than 1,200 rural Oklahoma youths received strong support from Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers program when the farm group sponsored livestock judging contests at this year’s Oklahoma State Fair and Tulsa State Fair. “We believe these contests are a good opportunity for young people to evaluate livestock and learn public speaking skills,” said Brent Straub, Hobart young farmer and chairman of the OFB YF&R committee. Competitors judge the livestock based on the animals’ market and breeding qualities. “Anybody who wants to be involved in agriculture needs these skills,” Straub said. Contestants competed in different age brackets for […]