Oklahoma Farm Bureau leaders will have a chance to listen to the state’s top legislative officials Feb. 16-17 during the annual Farm Bureau Legislative and Leadership Conference. The conference will be held at the Marriott Hotel on Northwest Expressway in Oklahoma City.
“This is a great opportunity for our farmers and ranchers to meet and discuss issues with elected officials,” said Mike Spradling, OFB president.
Scheduled to address the group are Lt. Governor Jari Askins, Congressman Tom Cole, Speaker of the Oklahoma House Chris Benge, and Senate President Pro-Temp Glen Coffee.
Much of the discussion will focus on the farm organization’s priority issues.
“We want legislators to know our policies on right to farm laws, eminent domain, protecting private property rights, renewable energy and other important areas that are attracting attention this year at the capitol,” Spradling said.
Immigration reform will be addressed by Paul Schlegal, American Farm Bureau director of public policy.
“The Oklahoma legislature passed one of the more strict immigration laws in 2007,” Spradling said. “We want to make sure agriculture has an adequate labor force to feed this hungry nation.”
During the AFBF convention last month, voting delegates adopted policy supporting a stronger guest worker program that would allow for legal immigrants to work in the U.S.
During the Feb. 16 banquet Farm Bureau will present its’ prestigious Meritorious Service Awards.
