More than 60 Oklahoma Farm Bureau members gathered for the annual Young Farmers and Ranchers summer conference held July 10 – 12 in Oklahoma City.
Conference participants had the opportunity to tour local agricultural facilities in the Oklahoma City metro area. American Plant Products and Services, owned by OKFB President Rodd Moesel, serves as a wholesale plant product company that provides greenhouse construction as well as horticulture necessities to universities and commercial entities nationwide.
Members also toured the Oklahoma National Stockyards with general manager Kelli Payne. She informed the members about the stockyards’ history, her extensive interest and involvement in the cattle industry, and the recent impact of COVID-19 the cattle market.
The attendees also heard from a variety of speakers during the conference. Michael Kelsey from the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and Roy Lee Lindsay from the Oklahoma Pork Council discussed current issues in agriculture including how the state’s pork and beef sectors have been affected by the global pandemic. Oklahoma’s State Veterinarian Dr. Rod Hall gave an update on active animal viruses in the state as well as what the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry is doing to prepare for the future.
In addition to the information shared with members about Oklahoma agriculture, attendees also heard from author and motivational speaker V. J. Smith about the importance of gratitude. The conference closed Sunday morning with a message from Brad Clay, a minister and founder of Final Descent Outdoors.
The conference served as a way for young farmers and ranchers across the state to connect with fellow agriculturalists while learning more about the opportunities available in Farm Bureau and YF&R.
