Oklahoma Farm Bureau members from across the state met in Oklahoma City Nov. 11-13 where they elected new leaders, set organizational policy for the coming year and recognized the contributions of outstanding members with numerous awards.
Voting delegates at the 75th Oklahoma Farm Bureau Annual Meeting elected three state board members to represent their districts for a three-year term. Rodd Moesel of Canadian County was re-elected to the board representing District 3. James Fuser of Ottawa County was re-elected to represent District 6. Jim Meeks of Okmulgee County was elected to serve his first term on the board representing District 9.
The OKFB Women’s Leadership Committee re-elected Kitty Beavers of Stephens County to serve as the chairman for a term of two years. The OKFB WLC also elected two new board members: Mary Sloan from District 6 and Cindy Schoenecke from District 9. Sharlene Lambring was re-elected to represent District 3.
The OKFB Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee elected Travis and Rylee Schnaithman of Garfield County to serve as chairman for a one-year term. Members elected Brent and Jennifer Howard from Jackson County, District 2, as vice chairman. Additional new committee members are: Dell Farris of Comanche County, District 3; Baylie Cooper of McIntosh County, District 5; Rachel Pickens of Payne County, District 8; and Brent Haken of Noble County, District 9.
During the organization’s business sessions, resolutions were passed to reaffirm the OKFB feral hog policy and to support consolidation of school superintendents.
“Feral hogs are still an onerous burden for farmers and ranchers across the state,” said OKFB President Tom Buchanan. “We fought for eradication last year and will continue to do so until the invasive species is no longer a problem.
“As our state’s education crisis continues, rural Oklahoma must have a say in the future of our school systems,” Buchanan said. “Today, our members made a progressive step toward improved education for both urban and rural students.”
Other new policies included a call to declare the black buzzard as an invasive species, the maintenance of funding for county extension educators, and continued opposition against the Environmental Protection Agency’s Waters of the U.S. rule. All 77 count Farm Bureaus submitted resolutions to the OKFB policy book which were reviewed by a statewide committee and voted on by the delegate body during the annual meeting.
Several awards were presented during the annual meeting, as OKFB recognized its top farming and ranching families. Roger and Idella Maschino of Guymon were named Farm Family of the Year; Billy Gibson of Pontotoc County was honored with the Distinguished Service to OKFB Award; Isaac Fisher of Comanche County received the YF&R Achievement Award; Rachel Pickens of Payne County received the YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award; and Jennifer Howard of Jackson County was the YF&R Discussion Meet winner.
Find more information about the OKFB Annual Convention and links to event photos on the OKFB website in the News Center.
