Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling has been nominated to serve on the search and screening committee for Oklahoma State University’s Vice President and Dean of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. “I am extremely honored to serve on this committee and I look forward to helping select someone who can continue the strong leadership and vision DASNR is known for,” Spradling said. The committee plans to begin its search for new division leadership within the next few months. Robert Whitson will step down as vice president, dean and director of OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural […]

A select committee of 55 Oklahoma Farm Bureau leaders has been chosen to study the future of agriculture and Farm Bureau as part of the American Farm Bureau Centennial Development Project. Among the project’s priorities are the mission and structure of Farm Bureau, the demographics of Farm Bureau members, policy development, member benefits, communications, technology, political activities and leadership development. “This is a strategic planning process for the county, state and American Farm Bureau,” said Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau President.  “Meeting the challenges to establish a farm organization for the future requires visionary leadership at all levels.  History illustrates […]

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers state committee raised more than $11,000 for the OFB Legal Foundation during the annual YF&R Golf Classic, May 4. The 10th annual event was held at Stillwater’s Lakeside Golf Course where more than 25 teams competed in a four-man scramble. Prizes were awarded to the top three teams including Wiggins Auctioneers, third place; Cleveland County Farm Bureau, second place and Alfalfa County Farm Bureau, first place. The golf classic is the largest fundraiser organized for the OFB Legal Foundation and OFBLF Director Marla Peek said she appreciates the YF&R group’s efforts to […]

Southeastern Oklahoma residents will have an opportunity to learn about the pending Sardis Lake lawsuit at an educational town hall forum, May 17, in Atoka. Hosted by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation, the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and AFR, the meeting is intended to provide general background information on the lawsuit. The event is not a political forum but instead an education forum organized to explain the lawsuit’s legal process and how the filing will impact citizens’ water rights. Also, representatives from the Attorney General’s office and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board will be available to answer questions. The May […]

Farm families and those wanting to work on farms, received support April 26, when the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) withdrew rules that would have prevented many young people from working in agriculture. “We are pleased the DOL heard our concerns and now they understand this proposal was unnecessary,” said Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. “After months of fighting the proposal, this is definitely a victory for farm families.” Oklahoma Farm Bureau was a lead critic of the DOL proposal. The DOL received thousands of complaints from the agriculture industry after it announced plans last fall to propose strict, […]

The Oklahoma FFA Foundation was named a category winner for the Youth Development Division on April 14, at the fifth annual Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) Awards in Tulsa. In total, eight agencies were named winners of their unique category of service, and 16 received finalist awards. In addition, the Oklahoma FFA Foundation was named the overall winner of the event and was awarded the $10,000 Charles Schusterman Award for Excellence. In total, nearly $150,000 was awarded to 24 of the state’s top nonprofits. Monica Wilke, Executive Director of Oklahoma Farm Bureau & Affiliated Companies, currently serves on the Board of […]

More than eighty Oklahoma youth recently competed for $8,200 in scholarships and savings bonds during the 17th Annual Young Farmers and Ranchers Speech Contest, sponsored by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. The contest was held March 26 at the Oklahoma Farm Bureau office in Oklahoma City. “This contest helps the young leaders better understand agriculture and Farm Bureau issues,” said contest coordinator Derek Crain, Taloga. “It gives them experience talking in front of crowds and builds leadership skills that will help them later in life.” The YF&R Speech Contest was divided into three age divisions: Junior, nine-12 years old; Intermediate, 13-15 […]

Convincing Congress to pass a new farm bill this year was the focus of a group of 40 Oklahoma Farm Bureau leaders during an intense lobbying effort in Washington, D.C. March 26-29. “It’s extremely important we get a new farm bill written this year,” said Mike Spradling, OFB president. “Continued delays by Congress to pass the new farm bill will reduce the farm program’s effectiveness.” The Farm Bureau leaders emphasized they need a new farm bill that provides a strong safety net for farm income using a combination of crop insurance, a revenue assurance program and price protection. Spradling said […]

As spring planting season begins, Oklahoma Farm Bureau is launching a unique website to track the weekly events of four Oklahoma farm families throughout the growing season. The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Harvest Watch blog website will feature regular updates from the farmers as they experience the everyday joys and disappointments of planting and harvesting a crop. Updates will continue through the fall and conclude with harvest. The four farm families each represent a different region of Oklahoma and include Zac and Amy Harris, Hobart; Brandon and Carrie Webb, Canton; Kenneth and Debby Fisher, Bristow; and Greg and Mary Leonard, Afton. […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau women leaders celebrated National Food Check-Out Week, Feb. 19-25, by donating more than $1,500 worth of food to the Ronald McDonald Houses in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. The annual event recognizes the fact that by this time in the year, the average American consumer has earned enough income to pay their annual grocery bill. “Stretching Your Grocery Dollar with Healthy, Nutritious Food,” the official theme of Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week, is an indicator of the tight economic times consumers face. Dining out less often and preparing more meals at home are two strategies people are using […]