State lawmakers received a “taste of the country” April 23 during the annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau Farm City Festival at the Capitol. The event is sponsored by the OFB Leadership Team, consisting of rural women leaders from throughout the state.
The rural leaders use the Capitol’s first floor rotunda area to set out a spread of freshly prepared food, much of it home baked. There were trays of fresh vegetables, ham, turkey and beef, deviled eggs, fruit, cookies and brownies.
“This is a way to say thanks to our legislators for working hard on rural issues,” said Kitty Beavers, Duncan, Okla., and chairperson of the OFB Leadership Team.
Beavers said the event also provides a unique opportunity to lobby the legislators.
“We host the event at the Capitol so our leaders can spend time visiting with the lawmakers,” Beavers said.
More than 600 plates of food were prepared for legislators and their staff members.
“This is a great event and we always look forward to it,” said Rep. John Enns. “This connects farmers and ranchers with legislators in a good, positive way.”
That connection was not lost on Oklahoma’s Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese.
“All of these people are eating and therefore they are connected to agriculture!” Reese said.
The rural Farm Bureau women leaders have been hosting the Farm City Festival for more than 30 years.
