Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling praised Oklahoma’s congressional delegation for their diligent efforts in passing the federal transportation bill June 29. “Oklahoma farmers and ranchers owe a huge debt of gratitude to their elected representatives in the nation’s capitol for supporting the highway bill,” Spradling said. The farm leader singled out U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe and Rep. James Lankford for their work on the federal legislation. They were members of the conference committee to reconcile differences between the House and Senate measures. Last year, Lankford authored H.R. 2414, the Farmers’ Freedom Act, which allows farm trucks a limited commercial […]

The U.S. Senate’s approval of a farm bill on June 21, is drawing mixed reviews from Oklahoma farmers and ranchers. The main concern, said Scott Neufeld, Fairview, is the lack of price protection in years when commodity prices are low. “We’re disappointed that most of the risk management tools included in the Senate bill are revenue based with very little focus on the price components of actual marketing,” Neufeld said. “There is no mechanism to manage risk when steep price declines happen, and they will happen, and when they may last for several marketing years.” As chairman of Oklahoma Farm […]

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Corporate Communications and Public Relations team received four national awards during the American Farm Bureau Public Relations conference in Traverse City, Mich., June 9-12. The awards recognize excellence in communicating agriculture and Farm Bureau’s message. “We work extremely hard to tell the farm story in Oklahoma, and it is satisfying to know our efforts received national recognition,” said OFB President Mike Spradling. Oklahoma Farm Bureau competed against other state Farm Bureaus in the large-state (over 80,000 members) category. A panel of professional communicators judged the contest entries. Awards won by the OFB team include: Best Audio […]

Saving lives and improving the health of farmers, ranchers and other rural residents was the focus of the American Farm Bureau Safety and Health Network Conference May 21-23, in Oklahoma City. “We were pleased to host this conference and hopefully increase safety awareness for farmers,” said Justin Grego, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Safety Services Director. “Farm Bureau has a long history of advocating safety and health on the farm and ranch,” said Kim Baker, AFBF program assistant. According to conference organizers, more than 30 participants from 12 states attended the event. “This is a great opportunity to share ideas and network […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling has been nominated to serve on the search and screening committee for Oklahoma State University’s Vice President and Dean of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. “I am extremely honored to serve on this committee and I look forward to helping select someone who can continue the strong leadership and vision DASNR is known for,” Spradling said. The committee plans to begin its search for new division leadership within the next few months. Robert Whitson will step down as vice president, dean and director of OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural […]

A select committee of 55 Oklahoma Farm Bureau leaders has been chosen to study the future of agriculture and Farm Bureau as part of the American Farm Bureau Centennial Development Project. Among the project’s priorities are the mission and structure of Farm Bureau, the demographics of Farm Bureau members, policy development, member benefits, communications, technology, political activities and leadership development. “This is a strategic planning process for the county, state and American Farm Bureau,” said Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau President.  “Meeting the challenges to establish a farm organization for the future requires visionary leadership at all levels.  History illustrates […]

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers state committee raised more than $11,000 for the OFB Legal Foundation during the annual YF&R Golf Classic, May 4. The 10th annual event was held at Stillwater’s Lakeside Golf Course where more than 25 teams competed in a four-man scramble. Prizes were awarded to the top three teams including Wiggins Auctioneers, third place; Cleveland County Farm Bureau, second place and Alfalfa County Farm Bureau, first place. The golf classic is the largest fundraiser organized for the OFB Legal Foundation and OFBLF Director Marla Peek said she appreciates the YF&R group’s efforts to […]

Southeastern Oklahoma residents will have an opportunity to learn about the pending Sardis Lake lawsuit at an educational town hall forum, May 17, in Atoka. Hosted by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation, the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and AFR, the meeting is intended to provide general background information on the lawsuit. The event is not a political forum but instead an education forum organized to explain the lawsuit’s legal process and how the filing will impact citizens’ water rights. Also, representatives from the Attorney General’s office and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board will be available to answer questions. The May […]

Farm families and those wanting to work on farms, received support April 26, when the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) withdrew rules that would have prevented many young people from working in agriculture. “We are pleased the DOL heard our concerns and now they understand this proposal was unnecessary,” said Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. “After months of fighting the proposal, this is definitely a victory for farm families.” Oklahoma Farm Bureau was a lead critic of the DOL proposal. The DOL received thousands of complaints from the agriculture industry after it announced plans last fall to propose strict, […]

The Oklahoma FFA Foundation was named a category winner for the Youth Development Division on April 14, at the fifth annual Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) Awards in Tulsa. In total, eight agencies were named winners of their unique category of service, and 16 received finalist awards. In addition, the Oklahoma FFA Foundation was named the overall winner of the event and was awarded the $10,000 Charles Schusterman Award for Excellence. In total, nearly $150,000 was awarded to 24 of the state’s top nonprofits. Monica Wilke, Executive Director of Oklahoma Farm Bureau & Affiliated Companies, currently serves on the Board of […]