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PerspectiveOKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU

NOVEMBER 28, 2014

OKFB delegates set priority issues for next year

OKFB President Tom Buchanan and Resolutions Chair Roland Pederson lead the resolutions session at the 2014 OKFB Annual Meeting. Delegates selected two issues as top priorities for the next year: passing right-to-farm legislation and working against federal overregulation.

oting delegates at the 73rd Oklahoma Farm Bureau Annual Convention

selected two issues as top priorities for the next year. The right-to-farm legislation and working against federal overregulation, such as the EPA’s proposed changes to Waters of the U.S., will both be a focus of the organization’s policy. “The issue of right-to-farm is very important to modern-day production agriculture not only in Oklahoma but also across the nation,” said Tom Buchanan, OKFB president. “We are working to protect one of the primary economic drivers in the state of Oklahoma so our industry can continue to function as new technologies develop.”

In this extended issue:Convention coverage

— Farm Family of the Year

— Distinguished Service Award

— YF&R awards

— New OKFB board members

— 100 Percent Club recognition

— Social media wrap-up

— Other award winners

The delegate body also addressed agricultural issues such as wind and water, along with private property rights, which is a cornerstone of OKFB policy. “Protecting the private property rights of farmers and ranchers is continually a top priority for Oklahoma Farm Bureau and its members,” said Buchanan. OKFB is a grassroots organization which takes its direction from the membership. Delegates voted to pass 66 resolutions at this year’s annual meeting. All accepted resolutions will be added to the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Policy Book which OKFB public policy staff will use to guide their decisions when lobbying for legislation.

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Oklahoma Farm Bureau OnlineFlickr: Convention photos available

More than 250 photos from the OKFB Annual Meeting have been uploaded to the OKFB Flickr page. From award winners to candid shots of members, the weekend has been captured and posted for you to see. To view, download, print and/or share the photos, go to flickr.com/photos/okfarmbureau.

www.okfarmbureau.org

Award winners featured on YouTubeVideos featuring the OKFB Farm Families of the Year, YF&R

Achievement Award winners, YF&R Lifetime Legacy Award winners and the Oklahoma Farming and Ranching Foundation are available on YouTube for viewing. To watch the videos and share on your social media sites, go to youtube.com/okfarmbureau.

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Krehbiels named Farm Family of the Year

Karen, Brittany, Wayne and Fern Krehbiel were recognized OKFB’s Farm Family of the Year. As state winners, the Krehbiel family received the use of a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 Double Cab pickup for one year, an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting next January in San Diego and other prizes.

aren Krehbiel and her daughter Brittany, along with Karen’s mother-

in-law, Fern, and father-in-law, Wayne, were named the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year at this year’s convention. The Krehbiels were chosen for their ability to best represent farming and ranching and the spirit of Oklahoma agriculture. “It is truly an honor to represent Oklahoma agriculture and represent all of the families that farm in Oklahoma,” Karen said after winning the award. The Krehbiel family farm has a rich history in Oklahoma agriculture, which includes five generations of dedicated farmers. Karen and Brittany farm approximately 2,300 acres of land near Hydro. Karen’s husband, Jeff, also was an

active member of the farm family until his death in 2011. The Krehbiel family raises wheat, grain sorghum, peanuts, canola and alfalfa on their operation along with 250 head of commercial Dorset ewes. The family also sells and services center-pivot hydraulic drive systems. Karen and Brittany are lifelong OKFB members. Both have been active with the Caddo County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, where Karen served as the vice chair for two years. Karen has also served on the AFBF Commodity Advisory Board.

Karen and Brittany have both attended AFBF annual meetings and traveled to Washington, D.C., with the OKFB Congressional Action Tour to lobby to members of Congress on behalf of Oklahoma agriculture. “Farm Bureau has been that catalyst that has helped us to promote agriculture and be able to tell our story to consumers,” Karen said. “Farm Bureau has given us the training, the courage and the passion to do this.” The Krehbiel family is also very active in their community and the agricultural industry. Karen currently serves on the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food

and Forestry Board of Directors and previously served on the Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association Board. Wayne was inducted into the Oklahoma

Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2011. Brittany is continuing on with agriculture by majoring in agricultural economics at Oklahoma State University.

It is truly an honor to represent Oklahoma agriculture and represent all of the families that farm in Oklahoma.

— Karen Krehbiel

Garfield County wins John I. Taylor AwardThe John I. Taylor Award is named after OKFB’s first president and serves as the organization’s highest county honor. County winners are required to earn the Four-Star Presidential Award and excel in at least six different program areas.

Garvin County earns Lewis H. Munn AwardThe award is named after the second president of Oklahoma Farm Bureau, and each year a specific area of involvement is judged for the award. This year’s area was political education.

Noble County wins Charles L. Roff AwardThe Charles L. Roff Award encourages county YF&R groups to improve their local committees and activity participation while strengthening the Farm Bureau organization.

Sharon King honored with Secretary of the Year AwardSharon King of the Caddo County Farm Bureau office was honored as the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Secretary of the Year. King has worked in the Caddo County office for 11 years. She said her favorite part of her job is coordinating events with her county board and members.

Laubach, Brabham and Thompson named OKFB Journalists of the YearPaul Laubach of the Hennessey Clipper, Okeene Record, Canton Times and Dewey County Record; Caleb Brabham of the Bristow News; and Herman Thompson of The Morris News were recognized with Oklahoma Farm Bureau Journalist of the Year awards.

Other Awards

OKFB delegates elect three board members

Alan JettDistrict 1

Beaver County

Jimmy Wayne KinderDistrict 4

Cotton County

Keith KislingDistrict 7

Alfalfa County

Pederson honored with OKFB Distinguished Service Award

oland Pederson of Alfalfa County was recognized with the Distinguished

Service to Oklahoma Farm Bureau Award during the OKFB 73rd Annual Convention Nov. 15 in Tulsa. The Distinguished Service Award honors OKFB members who have made outstanding contributions to agriculture and the Farm Bureau organization. Pederson has been working in agriculture for nearly 40 years and joined OKFB in 1972. Pederson has been actively involved in the organization serving on the Alfalfa County board of directors for 20 years and serving as the state director for District 7 for the past nine years. “I feel very humbled to receive the award,”

Pederson said. “I contributed some to the organization, but nothing like a lot of people have. I’m very thankful for Farm Bureau for allowing this to happen.” Pederson and his wife, Terry, began their transition into farming and ranching full time with a custom harvesting business. Currently, they produce wheat, milo, corn, soybeans, canola and alfalfa. They also run a cow/calf herd and stockers on wheat pasture. “I developed a love for agriculture growing up,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed trying to improve the quality of any of the animals and crops I’ve produced. It’s a challenge I’ve enjoyed, and it’s a passion I’ve had all my life.”

Roland Pederson received the Distinguished Service to OKFB Award at this year’s convention.

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and Wanda Snider of Chelsea, Oklahoma, are the recipients of

Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Lifetime Legacy Award. E.J. grew up in agriculture in Rogers County and Wanda grew up in Arkoma, Oklahoma, with a love for animals. Together, the couple has continued to farm on the land that has been in E.J.’s family since 1889. E.J. and Wanda managed a dairy for 30 years on their farm while also maintaining a beef cattle herd. E.J. and Wanda said they were surprised to be honored with this award by YF&R. “After a lifetime in agriculture, this is just more than you can expect and better than you can imagine,” E.J. said.

Sniders receive YF&R Lifetime Legacy Award

E.J. and Wanda Snider

Marty and Crystal Williams of Noble County were named the winners of the 2014 Oklahoma Farm Bureau YF&R Achievement Award. As state winners, the family received a John Deere Gator and an expense-paid trip to the AFBF Convention in January.

Williams family earns YF&R Achievement Awardarty and Crystal Williams of Noble County were named the winners of

the 2014 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award. Marty said the YF&R Achievement Award is one of the reasons the couple chose to become involved in Farm Bureau. “I saw how neat it was at my first convention I attended to be honored for the work that you do,” he said. “It was really neat to continue to strive toward that goal, but more than winning the award, we wanted to represent Oklahoma.” Marty and Crystal grow a variety of crops including wheat, corn, grain sorghum, canola, soybeans and native grass pastures on their farm near Red Rock. The couple also manages a cow/calf operation. “There is always a crop,” Marty said. “Sometimes there are five or six or even

seven different crops. But we do it so we can feed the world.” The Williams couple has been active in Farm Bureau for eight years and has served on the state YF&R Committee and the state resolutions committee. Crystal is active in her homeschool co-op and also teaches art classes, while Marty serves on numerous

conservation and co-op boards. As winners, the Williams

family received a John Deere Gator HPX 4x4 courtesy of GEO 720 and P&K Equipment, a chainsaw donated by Smith Farm and Garden in Tulsa and an expense-paid trip to San Diego for the 2015 American Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. The couple will compete on a national level for the AFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award during the AFBF Annual Meeting.

YF&R Awards

J.T. and Sara Bain of Pittsburgh County won the YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award.

Brent Haken of Payne County was named the winner of the YF&R Discussion Meet.

Seth McLaughlin of Prague was the winner of the YF&R High School Discussion Meet.

E.J. always had a love for draft horses and purchased a team of Belgian mares, which the couple still has today. E.J. often drives the draft horse team in local parades and even takes local church and school groups for rides in their wagon. The Snider’s love for agriculture has influenced many and the couple enjoys helping others succeed in the industry. E.J. and Wanda are also active in their community. E.J. currently serves as the vice president of Mayes County Rural Water District 5 and the couple serves on the Rural Water Conservation and Development Board. The couple is also involved in their church community. The YF&R Lifetime Legacy Award

serves as a living memorial for members by recognizing their life achievements. It is intended to honor an individual or a couple who has spent their life enriching and inspiring rural Oklahomans’ quality of life.

More than winning the award, we wanted to represent Oklahoma.

— Marty Williams

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Member Benefits CalendarLifeStation Medical MonitoringOklahoma Farm Bureau members receive a discount on LifeStation’s monthly service fee with no equipment charges. Visit LifeStation’s website for more information on their monitoring services. OKFB highlights a benefit in each issue of Perspective as a reminder of the savings available to OKFB members. You can find a complete list of savings on the Oklahoma Farm Bureau website.

Happy Thanksgiving from Oklahoma Farm Bureau!

OKFB Leadership Team Winter RallyDec. 5-6 — NormanContact: Marcia Irvin (405) 523-2405

2015 AFBF ConventionJan. 11-14 — San DiegoContact: Melisa Neal (405) 523-2475

www.okfarmbureau.org/benefits

#OKFB14Thank you to all the members who tweeted along with us during the 2014 Annual Meeting. Social media is one of the most effective ways to reach a large number of people, and you are all helping to spread Farm Bureau’s message! Keep tweeting!

Danna Fowble (@nonprofitchick)#okfb14 love it when an organization blesses the food.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau (@okfarmbureau)The breakout session on a #farmbill update is standing room only! Discussing the difference between ARC & PLC. #okfb14

Brenda Brantley (@BrendaLynn10)Payne County YFR & Board are Ready, Set, and “Ready to” Grow! THANKS TO OKFB MEMBER BENEFITS & Chris Kidd! #okfb14

Mason Bolay (@BolayMasonOK)Rise & shine its flap jack time @jessicawilcoxOK @okfarmbureau @kinderjw @anchorbcattle #yfrfundraiser #okfb14

Ron Hays (@Ron_on_RON)Howdy Neighbors! We are spending the day at #OKFB14 in Tulsa- great to see so many friends here- now down to work as general session starts!

Sandra (@hammyberry)Yum! Ice cream with 1000 of my friends at the Oklahoma Farm Bureau State Convention! #okfb14

Jessica Wilcox (@jessicawilcoxOK)Just saw the #PetersonBrothers walk in to our @okfarmbureau Annual Banquet! #SureSignOfAGoodTime #okfb14

Jimmy W. Kinder (@kinderjw)Water policy is up at #okfb14

Thank you for your support of the OKFB Legal Foundation

Clint and Jessica Wilcox enjoy a sweet treat at the ice cream social at convention where proceeds were donated to the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation.

he Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation ice cream social was a

great success! Oklahoma Farm Bureau members from every corner of the state enjoyed a sweet treat after the general session of the 73rd Annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau Convention in Tulsa. The OFBLF continues to engage in public interest litigation to preserve and protect private property rights and production agriculture. A special thank you to everyone who attended the ice cream social and supported the OFBLF’s work to protect the private property rights of Oklahomans. We look forward to seeing you at events in the future! Thank you so much for your generous support.

— LeeAnna McNally, OFBLF

Oklahoma Farm Bureau2501 N. StilesOklahoma City, OK 73105-3126

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Perspective, P.O. B. 53332, OKC, OK 73152-3332

Executive Director Monica Wilke 405-523-2303

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100 Percent ClubThe Oklahoma Farm Bureau Public Policy department recognizes the following individuals as members of the 100 Percent Club, a club exclusive to those members of the legislature who stand with OKFB on issues 100 percent of the time. OKFB thanks you for your service and looks forward to working with you during the 2015 legislative session.

John BennettScott Biggs

David BrumbaughDonnie Condit

David DerbyDale DeWittJohn EnnsKay FloydElise Hall

Mike JacksonSkye McNiel

Jason Murphey

Tom NewellLeslie Osborn

David PerrymanAnastasia Pittman

Brian RenegarSean RobertsMike SandersSeneca ScottT.W. Shannon

Jerry ShoemakeJason Smalley

Mike Turner

Mark AllenDon BarringtonBrian Bingman

Larry BoggsCliff Branan

Corey BrooksBill BrownKim David

Eddie FieldsA.J. Griffin

Constance JohnsonClark JolleyRon Justice

Kyle LovelessBryce MarlattAl McAffrey

Susan PaddackMike Schulz

Ralph ShorteyJohn Sparks

House of Representatives Senate

klahoma’s First Gentleman Wade Christensen was recognized with

the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Agriculture Advocate Award during Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s 73rd Annual Convention on Nov. 15 in Tulsa. The OKFB Agriculture Advocate Award honors those who have been an advocate for the agriculture industry to the general public. Specifically, Christensen has

worked on promoting agriculture during his time on the National Governors Association Spouses Leadership Committee. As chairman of the NGA’s Spouses Leadership Committee, Christensen moderated a signature session on the topic of agriculture. The session emphasized the importance of the agricultural industry in providing a safe and affordable food source in the U.S. and the world.

First Gentleman receives Oklahoma Farm Bureau Agricultural Advocate Award