The President of the state’s largest farm organization recently met with Farm Service Agency (FSA) officials in Stillwater to learn how new federal farm legislation will be implemented. “We know producers are concerned about many of the details of the program and how it will impact their business,” said Steve Kouplen, Beggs. “This meeting put us on the same page with the FSA.” The meeting covered FSA’s implementation of Farm Loan, Price Support, Conservation and Compliance programs. The FSA staff has just completed national and state training on implementing the complex 2002 farm bill. The legislation requires participating producers and […]

With the president’s signing of historic trade legislation, farmers can look forward to a substantial increase in agriculture exports. That’s how Steve Kouplen, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president, views the historic legislation. "Oklahoma farmers and ranchers are heavily dependent on export sales," Kouplen said."Over half of our production is exported. Sales have sagged in recent years and so has farm income." The legislation gives President Bush the authority to negotiate trade agreements that Congress can approve or reject but cannot change. The U.S. House and Senate recently passed the bill with President Bush quickly adding his signature to sign the bill […]

Calling it the catalyst to increasing agriculture exports, Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Steve Kouplen supports the U.S. House of Representatives recent passage of trade promotion authority (TPA) legislation. "Oklahoma farmers and ranchers are heavily dependent on world trade as we export over half of our products," Kouplen said, "and this (TPA) should substantially boost agriculture exports." The trade legislation gives President Bush the authority to negotiate trade deals that Congress can pass or reject but cannot amend. Without it, other countries are reluctant to negotiate with the United States fearing any hard-won trade agreement could be undone through amendments in […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau will kick off its policy development season with 12 Area Meetings in each of the nine state director districts during August. “The primary objective of the Area Meetings is to allow members and leaders to bring up issues of concern for possible policy development consideration,” said Matt Wilson, OFB executive director. Oklahoma Farm Bureau Public Policy staff members will brief members in attendance on issues that are expected to come to the legislative forefront on both the state and national levels. New this year will be a presentation on the positive and negative aspects of developing a […]

Ardmore will be the site for the 2002 Young Farmers and Ranchers Summer Conference to be held July 26-28. Plan now to attend the three-day conference designed to allow young producers the opportunity to interact and swap ideas while taking a brief break from their operations. For a hotel reservation, call the Ardmore Holiday Inn at 580.223.7130. Room rates are $65. Hotel reservations are separate from the conference. The deadline for reservations is July 15. Please contact Marcia Irvin, at 405.523.2405, for more information. The conference schedule is as follows: FRIDAY, JULY 265:00 p.m. ………….FAMILY BARBECUE DINNERWhitehouse at Noble Foundation• […]

It doesn’t take millions of dollars to start a ranch today. In fact, a August 16-17 seminar sponsored by the Oklahoma Grazing Lands Conservation Association (OGLCA) will demonstrate how a ranch can be profitable on considerably less than a million dollars. "Grazing lands dollars and cents" is the theme for the conference to be held at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, I-40 and Meridian, Oklahoma City. "We’re going to show how young people can succeed and prosper in agriculture today," said Wally Olson, OGLCA chairperson and Vinita, OK rancher. Featured speaker Dr. Barry Dunn, South Dakota State University will […]

Landowners are encouraged to attend an upcoming series of public meetings to address various prairie dog management issues. The ODWC will conduct four meetings across the state which are scheduled to be held in June. The ODWC is expected to unveil its draft plan at these meetings to address declining populations of the black-tailed prairie dog as well as solicit feedback from landowners. Although Farm Bureau agrees with the direction the state is going, Peek said the organization would like to see more of an emphasis placed on adding prairie dog acres on state and federal lands versus further regulations […]

Candidates stumped by the complexities of a modern political campaign are encouraged to attend Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Campaign Management Seminar, May 30-31, Best Western Saddleback Inn, Oklahoma City. The two-day seminar will teach candidates running for public office at any level the “secrets” of a winning campaign, according to Lori Peterson, director of national affairs for Oklahoma Farm Bureau. “With term limits approaching, there will be many new candidates with no public office experience,” Peterson said. “This seminar teaches them how to campaign.” The bi-partisan seminar will feature Brad EcKart, director of public policy with the American Farm Bureau office […]

In a lawsuit filed April 25 in Federal District Court in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Arkansas River Shiner Coalition challenges the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) designation of critical habitat for the small two inch minnow. “We believe the Fish and Wildlife Service has violated the Endangered Species Act by failing to conduct a proper economic analysis,” said Steve Kouplen, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president and coalition member. “The Service is basically saying there is no economic impact from designating critical habitat for the shiner. We believe quite the opposite is true.” About 98 percent of the total “critical habitat” […]

About 80 state agricultural leaders will travel to the nation’s capital April 14-18 to discuss agricultural issues with lawmakers as a part of the annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau Congressional Action Tour. The leaders will discuss agricultural issues – particularly the farm bill – with members of the Oklahoma congressional delegation. "This year’s trip comes at an opportune time," said Jeramy Rich, OFB public policy director, "since conferees are meeting to discuss the Senate and House farm bill versions. The vote could come at about any time, maybe even when our group is there." Both the Senate and House have passed […]