Animal welfare, environmental and agricultural issues and the economy will be hot topics during the 68th annual convention of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Nov. 6-8 at the Cox Convention Center, Oklahoma City.

“It’s been a difficult growing season for many of our producers, however, this meeting gives them an opportunity to focus on the future,” said OFB President Mike Spradling.

The convention schedule includes sessions on humane care of farm animals, commodity prices and federal agriculture legislation.

A highlight of the convention occurs Nov. 6 when the farm group hands out a number of awards and recognizes its top leaders. Included among the awards is the 2009 farm family of the year, the top young farmer and rancher achievement winner, and the distinguished service to Farm Bureau and to agriculture awards. In addition, the winners of the young farmers and ranchers discussion meet and excellence in agriculture contests will be announced.

Featured speakers include Indiana farmer and motivator Ed Bell, animal welfare expert Tim Amlaw and former Miss America Heather Whitestone McCallum. Congressman Frank Lucas has also been invited to address the farm group.

For more convention information, including an agenda, please visit our convention '09 page.

Ericka McPherson has been named assistant general counsel for Oklahoma Farm Bureau and affiliated companies.

McPherson will assist the general counsel’s office on regulatory and legal matters impacting the corporate family, said Monica Wilke, OFB executive director.

“She has a keen legal mind and acutely understands our needs,” Wilke said.

McPherson started her Farm Bureau career as an attorney with the OFB Legal Foundation. She has worked on both state and national Farm Bureau issues and most recently served as OFB’s director of national affairs.

“This is a great opportunity for me to expand my legal work while continuing to benefit Farm Bureau,” McPherson said.

The Missouri native graduated from St. Louis University with a BA in psychology. She received her Juris Doctorate from Oklahoma City University. Ericka and her husband, Cody, have a 6-month-old son and live in Moore.

Click here to download a high-resolution photo of McPherson (JPEG file, approximately four inches by six inches at 300 dpi).

A form of reverse osmosis is occurring in rural America today where agriculture producers are becoming more dependent on the health of the overall rural economy.

During a USDA rural development listening session in El Reno, Sept. 16, Mike Spradling, Sand Springs farmer and Oklahoma Farm Bureau president, told USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack he is concerned about this trend.

Read more »

Monica Wilke has been named executive director for Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Affiliated Companies.

The Grandfield native has been serving as acting executive director since Matt Wilson’s retirement announcement in July.

“The Board of Directors realized the challenges we faced with the announcement of Matt Wilson’s retirement, but at the same time recognized the opportunities that a search for a new executive director presented the organization,” said Mike Spradling, OFB president. “Monica Wilke brings a new, fresh perspective, unique thoughts and ideas to move our organization forward. The Board has the utmost respect and confidence in her ability to achieve the goals of Oklahoma Farm Bureau and its affiliated companies.”

Wilke holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma State University and a juris doctorate from the University Of Oklahoma College Of Law.

Wilke began her Farm Bureau career as a legislative specialist and attorney in the governmental relations division. She was promoted in 2001 to General Counsel and lobbyist for the mutual insurance company.

Click here to download a high-resolution photo of OFB's Executive Director, Monica Wilke. (JPEG image, six inches by nine inches at 300 dpi, 2.7 MB)

Maybe it was the weather. Maybe the rural crowds were inspired by the political town hall meetings sweeping across the country in August. Or, maybe Farm Bureau families were just carrying on with a long-held August tradition when they showed up in impressive numbers for OFB's annual August area meetings. Regardless of the reason, the meetings provided a snapshot of rural attitudes going into the fall.

"The numbers (of those attending) were tremendous and most were optimistic about the future," said Mike Spradling, president of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau.

Continue reading about Farm Bureau's August area meetings ...