PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU · Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s 2011 Leadership Conference will be...

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® OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU P ERSPECTIVE January 14, 2011 February 21-22, 2011 OFB is planning leadership conference 2011 Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s 2011 Leadership Conference will be held Feb. 21- 22 from at the Marriott Hotel at 3233 Northwest Expressway in Oklahoma City. Room reservations can be made by calling 405-842-6633. e deadline for reservation is February 7. e room rate is $109, plus taxes. e two-day leadership conference will include a variety of speakers and ses- sions, a legislative reception, legislative awards and a banquet. Watch for a leadership conference agenda in the next issue of Perspective. OFB planning 2011 Congressional Action Tour Oklahoma Farm Bureau is planning its annual Congressional Action Tour, which will be held March 27-31 in Washington, D.C. is year’s trip is all inclusive with flights, four nights lodging at the Holiday Inn Capitol and a group breakfast included. e cost is $1,520 for single occupan- cy and $2,070 for double occupancy. Each additional person is $600, with a limit of four per room. *Airline tickets are non-refundable. ose interested in attending the five- Farm Bureau calls for strong farm safety net, EPA oversight AFBF President Bob Stallman speaks to the press. (See AFBF, page 3) OFB leaders to serve on advisory committees e AFBF Board of Directors has approved members to serve on AFBF’s Commodity Advisory Committee for 2011. OFB leaders serving on committees in 2011 are: Peanut Committee: Richard Wild, Love Co. Soybean Committee: Greg Leonard, Ottawa Co. Wheat Committee: Keith Kisling, Alfalfa Co. Beef Committee: Joe Mayer, Texas Co. Equine Committee: Wayne Halverson, Logan Co. Hay & Forage Committee: Tim Taylor, Payne Co. Sheep & Goat Committee: Bart Cardwell, Kay Co. Swine Committee: Karen Brewer, Okfuskee Co. e committees will meet in Washington, D.C. Feb. 20-26. (See Congressional Action, page 2) OFB delegates participated in the AFBF Annual Meeting business session. From left are Bill Gibson, Adam Martens, Hope Pjesky, Desdive Milacek, Dale Schauer, Phyllis Holcomb, Jimmy Wayne Kinder, Tom Buchanan and Mike Spradling. Delegates at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 92nd Annual Meeting voted to maintain a strong farm income safety net, address dairy price volatility and urge greater oversight of regulatory actions by the Environmental Protection Agency. As Congress prepares to draft a new farm bill later this year and in 2012, the delegates reiterated their support for extending the concepts of the 2008 farm bill. “e 2008 farm bill has worked as farmers and ranchers have weathered market ups and downs over the last four years,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman. “It’s important to maintain a program that protects our nation’s food, fiber and fuel supply and the consumers who rely on agriculture’s productivity.” Farm program baseline funds should not be diverted outside the farm bill, the delegates said. e new farm bill should maintain a strong “safety net” that consists of direct payments,

Transcript of PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU · Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s 2011 Leadership Conference will be...

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OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU

PERSPECTIVEJanuary 14, 2011

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February 21-22, 2011OFB is planning leadership conference

LeadershipLeadershipLeadershipConferenceConferenceConferenceLeadershipConferenceLeadershipLeadershipLeadershipConferenceLeadershipConferenceLeadershipConferenceLeadershipLeadershipLeadershipConferenceLeadership

2011

Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s 2011 Leadership Conference will be held Feb. 21-22 from at the Marriott Hotel at 3233 Northwest Expressway in Oklahoma City.

Room reservations can be made by calling 405-842-6633. Th e deadline for reservation is February 7. Th e room rate is $109, plus taxes.

Th e two-day leadership conference will include a variety of speakers and ses-sions, a legislative reception, legislative awards and a banquet.

Watch for a leadership conference agenda in the next issue of Perspective.

OFB planning 2011 Congressional Action Tour

Oklahoma Farm Bureau is planning its annual Congressional Action Tour, which will be held March 27-31 in Washington, D.C.

Th is year’s trip is all inclusive with fl ights, four nights lodging at the Holiday Inn Capitol and a group breakfast included. Th e cost is $1,520 for single occupan-cy and $2,070 for double occupancy. Each additional person is $600, with a limit of four per room. *Airline tickets are non-refundable.

Th ose interested in attending the fi ve-

Farm Bureau calls for strong farm safety net, EPA oversight

AFBF President Bob Stallman speaks to the press.

(See AFBF, page 3)

OFB leaders to serve on advisory committees

Th e AFBF Board of Directors has approved members to serve on AFBF’s Commodity Advisory Committee for 2011.

OFB leaders serving on committees in 2011 are:

Peanut Committee:Richard Wild, Love Co.

Soybean Committee:Greg Leonard, Ottawa Co.

Wheat Committee:Keith Kisling, Alfalfa Co.

Beef Committee:Joe Mayer, Texas Co.

Equine Committee:Wayne Halverson, Logan Co.

Hay & Forage Committee:Tim Taylor, Payne Co.

Sheep & Goat Committee:Bart Cardwell, Kay Co.

Swine Committee:Karen Brewer, Okfuskee Co.

Th e committees will meet in Washington, D.C. Feb. 20-26.

(See Congressional Action, page 2)

OFB delegates participated in the AFBF Annual Meeting business session. From left are

Bill Gibson, Adam Martens, Hope Pjesky, Desdive Milacek, Dale Schauer, Phyllis Holcomb, Jimmy

Wayne Kinder, Tom Buchanan and Mike Spradling.

Delegates at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 92nd Annual Meeting voted to maintain a strong farm income safety net, address dairy price volatility and urge greater oversight of regulatory actions by the Environmental Protection Agency.

As Congress prepares to draft a new farm bill later this year and in 2012, the delegates reiterated their support for extending the concepts of the 2008 farm bill.

“Th e 2008 farm bill has worked as farmers and ranchers have weathered market ups and downs over the last four years,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman. “It’s important to maintain a program that protects our nation’s food, fi ber and fuel supply and the consumers who rely on agriculture’s productivity.”

Farm program baseline funds should not be diverted outside the farm bill, the delegates said. Th e new farm bill should maintain a strong “safety net” that consists of direct payments,

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Oklahoma Farm Bureau OnlineMonitor the latest Farm Bureau and

agricultural news and information online at www.okfarmbureau.org.

Currently online:• Congressional Action Tour –

Download a registration form for this year’s Congressional Action Tour, which will be held March 27-31. Members attending the trip will lobby Oklahoma’s congressional delegation in our nation’s capital.

• Oklahoma Youth – Learn about OFB’s involvement with state youth through speech contests, scholarship programs, livestock judging contests, stock shows and premium sales, and more on OFB’s website under “Programs.”

www.okfarmbureau.org

National Leadership/YF&R ConferenceFebruary 3-8 • Orlando, FL

Contact: Chris Kidd, 580-228-4001

State Legislature ConvenesFebruary 7 • State Capitol

Contact: Tyler Norvell, 405-523-2402

Food Check-Out WeekFebruary 20-26 • Nationwide

Contact: Marcia Irvin, 405-523-2405

OFB Calendar

• Langstons - Off ers Farm Bureau members a 10 percent discount on all regularly-priced items. www.langstons.com

• Dodge Rebate – Dodge off ers a $500 rebate to OFB members on many of its vehicles. You must be an OFB member for 30 days to be eligible.

OFB will highlight a few benefi ts in each issue of Perspective as a reminder of the savings available to OFB members. Find a complete list of savings online

at www.okfarmbureau.org.

Member Benefits

Oklahoma farmers and ranchers who were adversely aff ected by natural disasters in 2009 can apply for the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program (SURE) starting Monday, January 10, 2011. Eligible producers should apply at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offi ce to receive fi nancial relief, according to Francie Tolle, State Executive Director.

“SURE is one of fi ve disaster related programs in the FSA portfolio,” Tolle said. “Th is program provides a tremendous amount of assistance to producers who have suff ered from natural disasters, and is part of the 'safety net' designed to assist farmers and ranchers who feed America and the world.”

Th e SURE program provides benefi ts for farm losses accrued in 2008 through 2011 due to natural disasters. A producer is eligible for the program when a secretarial disaster designation has been made for their county and they have production losses of at least 10 percent, or when actual production is less than half of the normal established production. Producers are eligible for payment when they have crop insurance or a Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) policy.

“NAP or crop insurance serves as a prerequisite to receiving SURE payments, so we urge producers to factor that into their risk management planning,” Tolle said. “Th e SURE

day trip can download the registration form online at www.okfarmbureau.org and send it in to the Oklahoma Farm Bureau of-fi ce. Registration forms are also available in each county offi ce. Th e deadline for registration is February 25.

For more informa-tion on the Con-gressional Action Tour, contact OFB’s Marcia Irvin at 405-523-2405 or Daniel Brown at 405-530-2681.

Congressional Action Tour...(continued from page 1)

YF&R RECRUITMENT – In an effort to generate interest, Garvin County Farm Bureau recently met with agricultural education instructors in the county to promote YF&R and offer help in recruiting new members. From left, are Scott Stevens and Robert Jones, Lindsay FFA; Dale Schauer, county president; and Chris Kidd, OFB Field Representative and YF&R Coordinator.

Assistance available for losses suffered

(See Assistance, page 4)

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ENID AGRIFEST – Several northwest Oklahoma county Farm Bureaus participated in the recent 15th annual KNID AgriFest. The farm show was held January 7-8 at the Chisholm Trail Expo Center in Enid.

Taking their turns manning the Farm Bureau booth January 7 were Richard Alig (left), Kingfi sher County president; Gary Johnson (center), Garfi eld County president; and Dean Hedges, Garfi eld County vice president.

The booth, which included numerous prizes to be raffl ed, was sponsored by nine county Farm Bureaus, including Alfalfa, Blaine, Garfi eld, Grant, Kay, Kingfi sher, Major, Noble and Woods.

The counties received excellent exposure as thousands of visitors attended the two-day conference.

(continued from page 1)

AFBF calls for strong farm safety net...

From right, Norita Morgan, Beverly Delmedico, Roberta Hughes and Sue Jarvis visited the Georgia Farm Bureau booth during the trade show.

Hughes County Farm Bureau leader Jack Sherry checked out a McCormick tractor at the trade show during the 92nd AFBF Annual Meeting in Atlanta Jan. 11.

a simplifi ed Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program and the countercyclical, marketing loan and crop insurance programs. Overall, however, they adopted policy that provides fl exibility to move forward with farm policy within the budget framework that will become clearer later this year.

A new direction in dairy policy is needed, according to the delegates, to reduce milk price volatility. Recent years have seen both historical but short-term highs and devastating longer-term lows in milk prices. A resolution approved by the delegates says, in essence, that the dairy price support and Milk Income Loss Contract programs have not performed adequately.

“We’ve seen extreme fl uctuations in dairy prices, and in the last two years the dairy sector has had a tougher time than other sectors,” Stallman explained. “We can’t continue to do the same things and expect a diff erent outcome. We need a change in our nation’s dairy policy.”

Th e delegates adopted new policy in support of a dairy risk management program that off ers protection based on gross margins after subtracting feed costs. Th e delegates supported creating such a program in a fi scally responsible way by backing the use of all funding previously allocated to dairy price support and Milk Income Loss Contract programs to a new risk management program.

Th e new dairy policy allows for the consideration of a temporary supply management system, but it maintains AFBF’s opposition to a mandatory milk production quota system. Th e policy enables Farm Bureau to work with the dairy industry to develop solutions for excessive price fl uctuations.

Keynote speaker and television host Mike Rowe with OFB President Mike Spradling and his wife, Lotsee.

Th e delegates approved a resolution calling for more congressional oversight of the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulatory actions. Th ey asked Congress to assess the impact that EPA regulations would have on agriculture and to consider legislation to stop EPA’s regulation of greenhouse gases.

“EPA’s regulatory reach continues to metastasize at the expense of our ability to produce food, fi ber and fuel, and EPA often does not recognize the contributions that farmers and ranchers have made to reduce soil loss and produce more with less land, water, nutrients and other inputs,” said Stallman. “We need more common sense and less

(See AFBF, page 4)

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

Non-ProfitU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 131Okla. City, OK.

Traci Morgan, 523-2346 Perspective/Online News Editor

Sam Knipp, 523-2347 Vice President of Communications/PR

Tyler Norvell, 523-2402 Vice President of Public Policy

Marla Peek, 523-2437 Director of Regulatory Affairs

Staff Directory

Published by Oklahoma Farm BureauPostmaster: Send address corrections to:

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

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Traci Morgan, 523-2346 Perspective/Online News Editor

Sam Knipp, 523-2347 Vice President of Communications/PR

Tyler Norvell, 523-2402 Vice President of Public Policy

Marla Peek, 523-2437 Director of Regulatory Affairs

Kinsey Money, 523-2539 Director of Research & Policy Development

Staff Directory

Published by Oklahoma Farm BureauPostmaster: Send address corrections to:

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

ADVISORY COMMITTEE – Garrett King (left), a member of Congressman Frank Lucas’ staff, spoke to OFB’s Farm Bill Committee during its first meeting at the home office Jan. 6. During the meeting, the five-member committee discussed proposed farm policy recommendations that were to be voted on at the AFBF Annual Meeting in Atlanta. The committee members also worked to outline a plan of work and goals of the committee for the year. From left, are King, Keith Kisling, Matt Muller, Greg Leonard, Tom Buchanan, Jimmy Wayne Kinder, Mike Spradling and Scott Neufeld.

AFBF calls for strong farm safety net...payment is a bonus payment as insurance

and NAP coverage doesn’t usually cover all losses.”

Several groups of producers: socially disadvantaged, beginning farmers or ranchers, and limited resource producers may be eligible without crop insurance or NAP.

Oklahoma FSA paid out more than $20 million in SURE assistance for the 2008 crop year. This is part of the more than $2 billion paid out nation-wide for 2008. The program is new under the 2008 Farm Bill.

Assistance available for losses suffered...(continued from page 2) The signup period for the 2009 benefits

is scheduled to close on July 29, 2011 and producers are encouraged to call their local offices to schedule an appointment. Farm Service Agency has offices throughout Oklahoma; local offices are listed in the United States Government section of the phone book or can be found by visiting www.fsa.usda.gov/ok.

For more information on SURE and other FSA programs, visit your local County FSA office or visit online at www.fsa.usda.gov/ok.

negativity toward production agriculture in the enforcement of the nation’s existing environmental statutes.”

AFBF announced on Jan. 10, during the annual meeting, that it was filing a federal lawsuit to halt the EPA’s Chesapeake Bay pollution regulatory plan. AFBF said that the agency overreached by setting up a plan for the entire 64,000 square-mile Chesapeake watershed, usurped state control, relied on faulty data and failed to account for agriculture’s contributions to improving water quality, and provided insufficient information and time for the public to check EPA’s actions.

The delegates also reaffirmed support for establishing a guest worker program that meets agriculture’s need for farm labor, fair and open world trade and continued inclusion of the word “navigable” in the Clean Water Act’s definition of the water bodies that are subject to federal regulatory jurisdiction.

The American Farm Bureau Federation is the nation’s largest general farm organization. At its 92nd Annual Meeting, 370 voting delegates representing every state and agricultural commodity deliberated on policies affecting farmers’ and ranchers’ productivity and profitability. The approved policies will guide the organization’s work throughout 2011.

In other convention news, OFB President Mike Spradling was reelected to the AFBF Board of Directors.

More convention coverage can be found on AFBF’s website at www.fb.org.

(continued from page 3)

A special insert for young producers and ag professionals, age 18 to 35.

YF&R kick o� recruitment campaign with new theme, logo

Th ere’s a lot of energy and excitement in Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Program right now, and the group is looking to build upon that momentum by targeting the next generation of YF&R leaders.

“Our Young Farmers & Ranchers have to realize they are the future of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau organization and will be leading the state’s agriculture industry in the very near future,” said Chris Kidd, OFB fi eld representative and YF&R coordinator. “Now is the time to develop those young ag leaders, and that is why we’ve developed a campaign targeting young agricultural producers and young ag professionals across the state to become part of the YF&R Program.”

Th e YF&R’s theme for the future is “You’re Next...Ready?”

“Th ese young people in agriculture we are targeting will be the next generation of ag leaders,” Kidd said, “Th ey will be the ones

to build upon the momentum of the program and raise us to a new level of success and leadership, both in the organization and the industry.”

Th e state YF&R Committee urges county Farm Bureaus to take an active role in surfacing potential YF&R members. Th e YF&R Program is for young producers and ag professionals, age 18 to 35, who have a vested interest in agriculture and desire to be a part of a group engaged in leadership training, networking and promoting their industry.

For more information contact Kidd at 580-228-4001 or [email protected].

YF&R to host FFA ‘meet and greet’ YF&R award winners represented

Oklahoma in national competitions during the AFBF Annual Meeting in Atlanta.OFB’s Young Farmers & Ranchers will

host FFA Day at Oklahoma Farm Bureau to coincide with FFA Day at the State Capitol on February 21.

Th e state YF&R Committee will invite several FFA chapters to the home offi ce in Oklahoma City for an informal “meet and greet” with YF&R and OFB leaders.

“We want to tell them about the YF&R Program and help them make that connection,” said Chris Kidd, OFB fi eld representative and YF&R coordinator. “We want to start name recognition and let them know there will be a place for them in our grassroots agricultural organization.”

Th e event will take place prior to the beginning of OFB’s Leadership Conference.

Former AFBF YF&R Chair Will Gilmer

presents state YF&R Achievement

Award winner LaSheil Knowles with a plaque.

State YF&R Discussion

Meet winner Marty Williams

competed in the national

competition.

Je� and Sarah Weeks represented Oklahoma as the state YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award winners.

National YF&R contests

YF&R to hold single conference

Th is year, the state YF&R Committee will be combining its two conferences, normally held in the winter and the summer, into one big conference.

Th is year’s YF&R Conference will be held March 31 to April 3 at the Quartz Mountain State Resort and Lodge in southwest Oklahoma.

“We decided to combine the two conferences to make a more impressive conference packed with fi rst-rate agricultural tours, speakers and leadership training,” said Chris Kidd, OFB fi eld representative and YF&R Coordinator.

Mark your calendars now! Th e deadline for reservations is March 15. Contact the lodge at 580-563-2424 or www.quartzmountainresort.com. Th e room rate is $93. Watch for an agenda in Perspective closer to the conference date.

Th is year’s National YF&R Leadership Conference will be held in conjunction with the AFBF Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida. Th e joint event will be held at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort February 3-7, with the YF&R portion of the conference beginning February 5.

Th e YF&R Leadership Conference is an annual event that brings together more than 700 young farmers and ranchers from over 45 states. Th e Conference is focused on cutting-edge opportunities in leadership development, personal growth, legislative and agricultural awareness, and networking as well as numerous entertainment and fellowship opportunities.

Th is year’s theme is “Engage.Act.Win.” AFBF has designed an outstanding program to provide the tools for engagement that will kick-off Farm Bureau’s legislative eff orts for the 112th Congress. Highlights include keynote speakers, tours of Florida

agricultural enterprises, the Collegiate Discussion Meet and interactive breakout sessions.

A special insert for young producers and ag professionals, age 18 to 35.

State YF&R Committee

LaSheil Knowles

Brent Straub

Amber Fuhrmann

Tim TaylorChuckie Hurt

Mason BolayBrian Knowles

Adam Martens

Joshua Miller

Letisha Miller

Tyler Mayer

Naomi Mayer

Nicole Martens

Sarah Weeks

Je� Weeks

2011 DirectoryChairmanAdam & Nicole Martens, Dist. 7 580-227-2726

Vice ChairmanBrian & LaSheil Knowles, Dist. 5918-966-3799

SecretaryAmber Fuhrmann, District 4580-353-4028

Tyler & Naomi Mayer, District 1580-461-0292

Brent & Amie Straub, District 2580-726-2512

Je� & Sarah Weeks, District 3(At Large) 405-878-8767

Mason Bolay, District 6918-456-1924

Joshua & Letisha Miller, District 8405-756-6316

Tim & Sheila Taylor, District 9405-372-0830

Chuckie Hurt, At Large580-886-5280

Chris Kidd, YF&R Coordinator580-228-4001, [email protected]

2011 Directory

State YF&R to attendNational Leadership Conference

YF&R Calendar of EventsFEBRUARY

• National Leadership Conference • February 5-7 • Orlando, FL• FFA Day at Oklahoma Farm Bureau • February 21

• OFB Leadership Conference • February 21-22, Oklahoma City• Farm Bureau Week • February 21-25

MARCH• Speech Contest • March 14 • OSU-OKC

• YF&R District Scholarship Deadline • March 15• Congressional Action Tour • March 27-31 • Washington, D.C.• State YF&R Conference • March 31 - April 3 • Quartz Mountain

APRIL• YF&R Legislative Day • April 12 • Oklahoma City

MAY• State FFA Convention • May 3-4 • Oklahoma City

• YF&R Golf Classic • May 6 • Location TBAJULY

• OSU Big � ree Field Days • July 19-21 • StillwaterAUGUST

• Contest Deadline (Achievement/Excellence in Ag) • August 15SEPTEMBER

• Livestock Judging Contest • September 16 • Oklahoma CityOCTOBER

• YF&R Contest Deadlines • October 15• OSU International Tour • October 7 • Location TBA

• State Resolutions Mtg. • October 18-19 • Oklahoma City NOVEMBER

• State Convention • November 11-13 • Oklahoma City