Governor Brad Henry has signed a proclamation designating Feb. 16-20 as “Farm Bureau Week” in Oklahoma.
The week is part of a statewide observance during which county Farm Bureaus will make a concerted effort to enroll members, introduce the community to Farm Bureau volunteer leaders and explain the organization’s goals and objectives.
“This is a special week to acknowledge Farm Bureau members and the work they do year-round in the communities across this great state,” said Mike Spradling, OFB president. “It is significant the governor recognizes Farm Bureau and agriculture’s importance to Oklahoma.”
Farm Bureau is a grass roots organization and its foundation is the county unit. Each county in the state has an organized county Farm Bureau.
“With more than 168,000 member families, OFB is the largest and most influential voluntary farm organization in the state,” Spradling said.
During this week county Farm Bureaus will be hosting open houses, receptions, luncheons and other activities highlighting the groups’ community involvement.
The state president said Farm Bureau is a voluntary, general farm organization that seeks to improve income and living conditions of farm and ranch families. It represents the farmer and rancher at the county courthouse, in Oklahoma City and in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.
Farm Bureau has been successful in guarding against ad valorem tax increases on agricultural land, reforming estate tax laws, keeping the farm sales tax exemption, protecting private property rights and obtaining increased funding for rural roads and bridges.
