The Oklahoma Farm Bureau board of directors voted to cancel the organization’s in-person 2020 annual meeting and host a virtual business meeting.
With the health and safety of Farm Bureau leaders, members and staff in mind, the virtual business meeting will be held Thursday, Nov. 5 at 6:30 p.m.
“The Farm Bureau convention is always a highlight of the year for our organization and members,” OKFB President Rodd Moesel said. “But as we considered the safety and health of our members and staff, the increasing uncertainty of hosting large group meetings and the ever-changing realities of life in a global pandemic, we feel it is in the best interest of our organization to proceed with caution and care for our Farm Bureau family.”
Each Farm Bureau district will host an optional in-person gathering for members to participate in the virtual business meeting together in a safe and socially-distant manner. The meeting also will be streamed online for members who choose not to attend the in-person district gatherings.
Districts 1, 4 and 7 also will host in-person caucuses on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 5:30 p.m. prior to the district gatherings to elect representatives to serve on the OKFB board of directors. Locations for the in-person district gatherings and caucuses will be announced as soon as they are available.
The board of directors also voted to postpone the organization’s policy resolutions process until 2021. The OKFB policy book will remain unchanged through the next year.
“We believe our policy is strong and the core beliefs of our members are still addressed in the policy book,” Moesel said. “After polling members across the state, our board is confident that our policy will meet the needs of our organization for the coming year.”
County Farm Bureau members are encouraged to continue submitting policy ideas to the home office to inform board members and staff of the wishes and ideas of members. The state board of directors also is able to provide direction to staff in enacting grassroots policy.
Full details of the virtual business meeting will be shared with members as they are made available.
