Oklahoma farmers and ranchers put their money where their mouth is when the state’s largest farm group recently wrote out checks to political candidates totaling more than $80,000. The Oklahoma AgFund, controlled by farm and ranch families belonging to Farm Bureau, mailed the checks to candidates vying for the state senate, house or other statewide office. “We need to help candidates that are friends of agriculture and rural Oklahoma,” said Steve Kouplen, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. “One of the best ways to help rural-friendly candidates is with our check books.” The OKAgFund was established in 2003 to support candidates who […]

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 […]

Sam Knipp, vice president of Corporate Communications/Public Relations for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, has been awarded for producing the best radio programs in the nation. His work received top billing during the recent Farm Bureau Public Relations Conference in San Diego, California. Knipp, whose programs were up against those of the nation’s top broadcasters, won first place in the following categories: Best Audio News Report and Best Audio Commentary. Knipp also received an honorable mention for the Best Regularly Scheduled Audio Program or Service. To sample Knipp’s award-winning work, visit the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Press Pass website at https://oktest.okfarmbureau.org/press%5Fpass/radioTV/.  

OFB’s Corporate Communications/Public Relations department recently welcomed a new addition to its staff. Dustin Mielke assumed the role of Coordinator of Media Relations June 5. Mielke is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Oklahoma State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications and a minor in agricultural economics. Mielke is originally from Conrad, Mont., where his grandparents operate a wheat, barley and polled Hereford cattle farm and ranch. “I enjoyed spending time on their farm, which is where I learned to love farming and agriculture,” he said. “As I grew up, I knew I wanted to be […]

Derrick Davies recently joined the Oklahoma Farm Bureau (OFB) Legal Foundation as law clerk, and will continue in the position until May 2007. Davies is a graduate of Oklahoma State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural economics. He will begin his third and final year of law school at Oklahoma City University this fall. Davies and his wife, Robyn, live in Stillwater, Okla. A native of Fletcher, Okla., Davies is the product of a Farm Bureau family. “My family have long been Farm Bureau members,” he said. “My great-grandfather, L.T. Hayes, was a Farm Bureau […]

In spite of recent rainfall across much of the state, the effects of a lingering drought leave Oklahoma land susceptible to wildfires. As Independence Day quickly approaches, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau (OFB) reminds citizens wildfire risk can quickly turn into reality if fireworks are used inappropriately. “All it takes is a spark and hundreds or thousands of acres can burn,” said OFB Safety Director Justin Grego. “We’re really concerned about the Fourth of July holiday as fireworks can get in the hands of somebody that doesn’t use them with caution.” According to the National Fire Protection Agency, on Independence Day […]

Environmental issues in agriculture are as diverse as the industry itself, and environmental regulation plays a critical role in the day-to-day work of farmers and ranchers. Farm Bureau staff from across the nation came together in Jackson, Miss., May 30-June 2 to discuss this key topic at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Environmental Issues Conference. Marla Peek, Oklahoma Farm Bureau (OFB) Director of Regulatory Affairs, joined other attendees at the conference, which focused on issues such as water quality, wetlands, CERCLA (Superfund act), the Food Quality Protection Act deadline, energy issues including the 25×25 Coalition and conservation titles as […]

Lead by the passage of a strong no trespassing law, the just-completed 2006 Oklahoma legislative session is being labeled by the state’s largest farm organization as a successful session for rural Oklahomans. “It was a great session for rural and agriculture interests, especially private property owners” Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Steve Kouplen said. When lawmakers passed HB 2984 it shifted the burden from landowners to trespassers. “This is a big deal because it places the burden of responsibility on the person entering the property,” Lori Peterson, Vice President of OFB Governmental Relations, said. Specifically, the bill, which applies only to […]

Oklahoma’s private property owners won a significant victory May 9 when the state’s highest court ruled against a private company’s attempt to seize private property through eminent domain. The case involved Muskogee County versus Ed and Mary Lowery. The Lowerys own a farm south of Muskogee. The land battle started when Muskogee County commissioners condemned Lowery’s property for use by Energetix, a private electric generation plant. Energetix wanted to build and operate a water pipeline across Lowery’s property connecting the plant to the Arkansas River. A Muskogee County District judge earlier ruled in favor of the county. This ruling was […]

The 2007 farm bill is not “your father’s farm bill.” That’s the message a group of nationally-known speakers will share with Oklahoma farm and ranch leaders during a May 10 forum on the 2007 farm bill. The forum is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at the Marriott Hotel, Northwest Expressway, Oklahoma City. “It is absolutely necessary our producers become involved in the farm bill process,” said Steve Kouplen, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president and Beggs rancher. Kouplen will begin the forum with an overview of Farm Bureau’s policy on farm programs. Current Farm Bureau policy calls for an extension of […]