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PerspectiveOklahoma Farm Bureau

May 1, 2015

OKFB members take farm bill, EPA, security concerns to Washington D.C.

arm bill implementation, EPA overregulation and national security

were among the top concerns for the 53 Oklahoma Farm Bureau members and staff who attended the annual OKFB Congressional Action Tour in Washington D.C. April 11-16. The group gathered in our nation’s capital to discuss policy with their United States elected officials. The group met with U.S. Representatives Markwayne Mullin, Frank Lucas, Steve Russell, Tom Cole, Jim Bridenstine, and U.S. Senators Jim Inhofe and James Lankford. The Congressional Action Tour provides an opportunity for Oklahomans to share some of the challenges facing rural communities with their legislators, said Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Tom Buchanan. “Implementation of the farm bill and

making sure that continues smoothly is a top priority for Farm Bureau,” said Buchanan, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. “Waters of the U.S. is still a burning issue, and we have members of the Oklahoma delegation who are actively working to protect landowners and producers from onerous regulations that come with WOTUS.” Agency overreach and the security of our nation were two topics OKFB Director Monte Tucker made a point to discuss with the U.S. legislators. “EPA, regulatory, IRS — you name the agency and we’ve had definite overreach,” Tucker said. “National security has also been a big concern for us, and it’s been great to get to talk with our legislators about federal issues.” Garfield County Young Farmers and Ranchers member Travis Schnaithman said

the Congressional Action Tour reiterates the importance of being involved in the legislative process. “I really realized why it is so important to let our voices be heard,” Schnaithman said. “I always look forward to this trip, and it’s nice that we have the opportunity to tell our congressmen about the issues we’re facing.” U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe said he always enjoys seeing Oklahomans in Washington D.C. “There aren’t any normal people in Washington, and when we have a group come up from Oklahoma, they understand the simple things,” Inhofe said. “My favorite group has always been the Farm Bureau … because they have strong values and they know what makes America great. It’s always great to see these rural friends come up here.”

Sen. James Lankford

Rep. Frank Lucas

Rep. Tom Cole

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Oklahoma Farm Bureau Online View all our Congressional Action Tour

photos We have cataloged our best photos from OKFB’s time in Washington D.C. and Monticello on our flickr page. View and download photos from our trip, including time with each of Oklahoma’s congressmen and senators at flickr.com/okfarmbureau.

www.okfarmbureau.org

Missed the Right To Farm TV commercials?

Check out Protect The Harvest’s YouTube channel to see two television commercials produced by OKFB communications, featuring OKFB members Monte Tucker and Amy Harris. To view the spots on your computer or smartphone, visit youtube.com/ProtectTheHarvest.

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The annual Farm City Festival, hosted by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau

Women’s Leadership Committee, gave state lawmakers a taste of country cooking at the state Capitol on Tuesday, April 21. The OKFB Women’s Leadership Committee, consisting of rural women leaders from throughout the state, used the Capitol’s first floor rotunda to set out a spread of freshly prepared food, much of it home-baked, for the legislators. There were trays of fresh vegetables, sandwiches, cheese and fruit, cookies, cupcakes and brownies. “We want them to see where their food comes from, and we want to promote farming and all the things we do,” said

Kitty Beavers, OKFB Women’s Leadership Committee chairman. Beavers said the event gives the women a unique opportunity to connect with Oklahoma’s lawmakers. “We think it’s very important for legislators to know we are real people,” she said. “We want them to know we are interested in what they do, and we want our voices heard. We want them to know who the Oklahoma Farm Bureau women are.” More than 400 plates of food were prepared for legislators and their staff members. It gives the legislators a chance to not only enjoy a delicious lunch, but also hear from rural Oklahomans about issues that concern them.

OKFB women feed legislators, advocate agriculture at Farm City Festival “Farm Bureau women do a great job of bringing food in here, and it always amazes me,” said Sen. Mike Schulz. “It’s a great opportunity for Farm Bureau members to lobby us.” Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese said Farm City Festival is one of the most popular days at the Capitol. “I know it’s one of the legislators’ favorite days,” he said. “People love it when Farm Bureau brings their Farm City Festival to the Capitol.” The rural Farm Bureau women leaders have been hosting the Farm City Festival for more than 30 years.

OKFB Women’s Leadership Committee Chairman Kitty Beavers greets Sen. Eddie Fields at the 2015 Farm City Festival. More than 400 plates of food were given to legislators and their staff.

With a full plate of homemade goodies in hand, Speaker of the House Jeff Hickman (left) visits with Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese during Farm City Festival.

oklahoma farm bureau | 3

Member Benefits CalendarGraingerFarm Bureau members can take advantage of Grainger’s special promotional pricing available on Generac generators, Miller welder/generators and Echo outdoor power equipment through June 30th!

Use Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s unique account number – 854408606 – to “Register Now” at Grainger.com. Create a User ID and Password and view exclusive Farm Bureau pricing. Call (708) 396-1900 for assistance.

Super Ag DayMay 4-8 — Oklahoma City FairgroundsContact: Marcia Irvin (405) 523-2405

YF&R Golf TournamentMay 8 — EnidContact: Holly Carroll (405) 523-2307

State Legislature AdjournsMay 29 — Oklahoma CityContact: Sarah Stuart (405) 530-2681www.okfarmbureau.org/benefits

Sen. Larry Boggs visits with Caddo County’s Linda Taggart (left) and Noble County’s Tracy Robertson (center) after making his way through the food line at Farm City Festival.

Cotton County Farm Bureau member and state Women’s Leadership Committee District 4 Member Margaret Ann Kinder (right) welcomes Rep. John Enns to Farm City Festival.

Rural house democrats, republicans voice support for Right to Farm

Rural leaders in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from both sides of the

political aisle voiced their support for the Right to Farm amendment shortly after the state senate passed the measure. Rural house democrats said in a statement that they were grateful to see the legislation pass the senate by an overwhelming margin. “Those democrats have always stood for rural Oklahoma and against outside interests telling farmers and ranchers how to run their operations,” the statement read.

“Operations that not only provide food and fiber for Americans but for the world. Operations that are the envy of people across the globe.” The Oklahoma House of Representatives Republican Rural Caucus also issued a statement, voicing its full support of a constitutional amendment to protect the rights of agricultural producers in rural Oklahoma. “In this day and age, there is a concerted war being waged on the rural way of life,” said state Rep. Dustin Roberts, R-Durant,

who chairs the Republican Rural Caucus. “Environmental and animal rights activists have made life more difficult for farmers and ranchers throughout the U.S. Now, the Oklahoma Legislature is putting forth a solid, constitutional protection for agricultural producers. I could not be more proud of the progress of HJR1012 through the legislative process.” Rural house leaders from both parties pledged their support to help see the amendment through to a vote of the people.

Watch our Lincoln to Local video with Sen. Jason Smalley, senate author of HJR 1012, talking about the need

for the Right to Farm amendment in our state. Visit youtube.com/okfarmbureau to view this video and more.

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Congressman Markwayne Mullin continued his opposition to the

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rule defining Waters of the United States under the Clean Water Act. Mullin cosponsored legislation calling for the withdrawal of the proposed rule that would expand federal control. Through agency funding restrictions, Mullin is also working to put a halt to the rule expected to be released this spring. “This proposed rule is an example of how the president and his administration are running rogue and trampling over states’ rights,” Mullin said. “I do not intend to stand by and let that happen without using every tool at my disposal to hold them accountable for their actions.” The proposed rule, over which more than one million public comments were received during the public comment period last year, is expected to be released this spring. An April 7, 2015, Congressional Research Service report states the proposed rule was sent to the Office of Management and Budget on April 3, 2015. The OMB is typically the last stop before a rule is issued, the report states. The legislation Mullin cosponsored, the Regulatory Protection Act of 2015 (H.R. 1732), requires the Secretary of the Army on behalf of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Administrator of the EPA to withdraw the current rule defining Waters of the United States under the Clean Water Act. The legislation would require consultation with stakeholders including

Congressman Mullin Fighting to Stop Waters of the U.S. Rulethose in the public and private sector, state and local governments before any new rule is drafted. Additionally, public comments submitted must be carefully considered in any additional rulemaking efforts. The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved H.R. 1732 on April 15, 2015. In the meeting, Committee Chairman Bill Shuster said at least 32 states have requested the EPA withdraw or significantly modify the rule. Mullin is also working to block funding for implementation of the proposed rule. On March 18, 2015, Mullin and 103 other members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to two House appropriations subcommittees asking them to add language to their appropriations bills prohibiting the EPA and the Corps from using any appropriated funds for the proposed rule. “This proposal runs contrary to Supreme Court decisions as well as state and tribal water laws,” the letter stated. “If implemented, this water grab would constitute an unlawful expansion of federal authority under the (Clean Water Act).” When the U.S. House Appropriations Energy and Water Subcommittee approved its Fiscal Year 2016 Energy and Water spending bill on April 15, 2015, the legislation included language prohibiting the Corps from using funds to

develop, implement or enforce any change to regulations pertaining to the definition of waters under federal jurisdiction. Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Tom Buchanan underscored the importance of the issue and praised Mullin’s actions. “Farm Bureau has long been concerned about the EPA’s proposed Waters of the U.S. rule as we consider this a huge overreach by a federal agency,” Buchanan said. “WOTUS will have a serious impact on how we manage land and use modern farming and ranching methods to produce food and fiber. We applaud Congressman Mullin for his efforts to stop the EPA from enacting unnecessary and burdensome regulations.”

Rep. Markwayne Mullin speaks to OKFB members during the Congressional Action Tour Tuesday, April 14 in Washington, D.C.