A resolution declaring the next farm bill should continue direct payments to farmers is among more than 90 proposals passed by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau state resolutions committee Oct. 26-27. The proposal will be voted on during the annual OFB convention Nov. 19-21 in Oklahoma City. “Our top priority is the continuation of direct payments,” said OFB President Mike Spradling. “The payments provide producers flexibility to grow various crops while providing income support.” There is concern direct payments may be eliminated since the administration is considering reducing the agriculture department’s budget. The resolutions committee supported opposition to the government’s proposed […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling of Sand Springs has been selected to receive the Honorary American FFA Degree. The award is given to those who advance agricultural education and FFA through outstanding personal commitment. Spradling, a longtime supporter of agricultural education and FFA, will be honored during an onstage presentation at the 83rd National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana Oct. 22. The National FFA Organization works to enhance the lives of youth through agricultural education. Without the efforts of highly dedicated individuals, thousands of young people would not be able to achieve success that, in turn, contributes directly to […]

An exhaustive, six-stop caravan across Oklahoma Oct. 18 yielded strong support for Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s campaign to vote against State Question 744. Making stops in El Reno, Shawnee, Clinton, Muskogee, Lawton and Tulsa, the caravan consisted of Farm Bureau leaders, state legislators and educators. “We wanted to inform voters of the devastating impact to rural areas if SQ 744 passes,” said Mike Spradling, OFB president. “We’re concerned property taxes would increase, agriculture sales tax exemptions would go away, and rural fire departments, hospitals and nursing homes would all lose funding,” Spradling said. It is estimated the state question would cost […]

A caravan of Oklahoma Farm Bureau leaders will make brief stops in six locations across the state Monday, Oct. 18, to support a “no” vote on State Question 744.   “We want voters to know the devastating impact of 744,” Mike Spradling, OFB president said. “Farmers and ranchers support education, but 744 could cost up to $1.7 billion. How are we going to pay for that? The answer is severe budget cuts and higher taxes that will cost all Oklahomans with no guarantee of improving education.”   The caravan will have both an east and west component. The eastern leg […]

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation has filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction to stop the Oklahoma Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners from enforcing emergency rules contradicting legislation passed this year.   During the 2010 legislative session, lawmakers passed House Bill 3202 clarifying certain acts of traditional animal husbandry, including pregnancy checking and equine teeth floating, were not exclusive to the practice of veterinary medicine. In August the board passed emergency rules prohibiting non-veterinarians from performing some types of animal husbandry.   “We believe they are circumventing the legal process and going against the desire of the state legislature,” Mike […]

Daniel Navarro, who holds CPCU, CLU, CHFC designations, has been named Vice President of Underwriting for Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company.   Navarro graduated with a Bachelor of Business degree from Arizona State University and has more than 22 years experience in the insurance field. During that time he acquired the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (CHFC). He has worked as an accountant, field underwriter, loss control representative, commercial underwriter, and for the past 2 1/2 years served as the Underwriting Team Manager for State Farm’s three state area. Navarro will […]

Ericka McPherson has been named General Counsel for Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Affiliated Companies. She most recently served as Assistant General Counsel. McPherson will continue her work in the General Counsel’s office on legal, regulatory and legislative matters impacting OFB and affiliated companies.   McPherson began her career at OFB in 2005 as an attorney with the Legal Foundation. She has worked on both state and national Farm Bureau issues as OFB’s Director of National Affairs. McPherson graduated from St. Louis University and then attended Oklahoma City University, where she received her Juris Doctorate. Ericka and her husband, Cody, have […]

Gary Buckner has been named vice president of claims for Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company. Buckner has an extensive background in the claims industry, starting his career in 1996 as an adjuster for OFBMIC’s McAlester District Claims Office. He has served the company as an adjuster, district claims manager and was promoted to Associate Claims Manager where he has served since 2005. Buckner has also been the Associate Claims Manager in the Casualty area since January 2010. He holds an Associate in Claims (AIC) certificate and is a graduate of Northeastern State University in Tahlequah where he earned a […]

The Oklahoma congressional delegation has signed a letter protesting the EPA’s proposed regulations on dust particulate matter. The EPA is proposing dust particles be regulated under the Clean Air Act. The proposal would severely restrict any activity that adds dust to the air.   “Farming activities kick up dust. It is impossible to stop it,” said Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. “Simply driving on a dirt road could potentially violate the EPA’s regulations. If the regulations are approved, this would establish the most stringent and unparalleled regulations of dust in our nation’s history.”   The letter urges EPA Secretary […]

Richard Newberry has been named General Manager and Executive Vice President of Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company. “Richard is an excellent leader and insurance professional,” said Monica Wilke, Executive Director/General Counsel for Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Affiliated Companies. “His skills will help us continue moving our company forward.” Newberry brings a wealth of insurance experience to the position. He started his career with the company in 1993 as an adjuster in the Tulsa District Claims office. He has steadily been promoted to a number of important managerial positions including Central District Claims Manager, Associate Claims Manager and in 2005 […]