Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma has provided Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences with a $250,000 grant to expand the OSU TeleHealth network and provide additional access to health care for residents in rural areas of the state. “Our primary mission at the OSU Center for Health Sciences is to provide primary care physicians for rural and underserved Oklahoma,” said Dr. Kayse Shrum, OSU Center for Health Sciences president. “Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma is one of our strongest partners in meeting this mission and recognizing the key role our TeleHealth program plays in delivering […]
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Rural Economic Outlook Conference scheduled for November
Oklahoma Farm Bureau is proud to help sponsor the 2013 Rural Economic Outlook Conference upcoming in November. The conference will focus on trends and expectations regarding the rural economy and agriculture. Mr. Joe Kotkin is the keynote speaker for the conference and will address key considerations for agricultural lenders, rural leaders, and others, which will be upcoming in the next year. Kotkin is an internationally-recognized authority on global, economic, political and social trends. The conference will also feature presentations on water issues affecting agriculture and rural Oklahoma, an outlook panel, research updates, and the state of rural Oklahoma and agriculture. […]
Oklahoma Farm Bureau introduces new agricultural audio program
Oklahoma Farm Bureau recently debuted its newest audio feature, All Around Oklahoma Agriculture, which provides a unique perspective on the state’s agriculture industry. The program is produced by OKFB Director of Corporate Communications Sam Knipp. “This new audio format gives us an opportunity to provide an in-depth look at critical ag topics without the time constraints of our more traditional radio reports,” Knipp said. “It gives listeners a chance to hear timely reports from the field as we travel around the state each week visiting with industry officials and OKFB leaders.” The program is produced several times each week and […]
Lesser-Prairie Chicken Range-Wide Conservation Plan complete; meeting on Sept. 17
A fourth version of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-Wide Conservation Plan is now complete. The RWP is an effort by the state fish and wildlife agencies of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas to conserve the LPC with the intent to preclude the need to list the species as threatened or endangered under the ESA. In the event it is listed as a federally protected species, this plan provides a timely pathway to delisting. Click here to see a copy of the RWP plan. Also, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will be holding an informational meeting on the RWP […]
OKFB announces vice president of field services
Oklahoma Farm Bureau recently named Holly Carroll vice president of field services. In her new position, Carroll will lead OKFB field representatives as they serve as liaisons between the counties and the state Farm Bureau. She will also work with other OKFB divisions to ensure counties are informed about issues affecting agriculture and rural Oklahoma. “I am confident in Holly’s ability to lead our field services staff as they fulfill a critical role in communicating with our members and leaders in each county,” said Monica Wilke, executive director of Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Affiliated Companies. “Holly’s tremendous leadership skills and […]
Oklahoma Farming and Ranching Foundation donates $100,000 to protect students from severe weather
The Oklahoma Farming and Ranching Foundation, in conjunction with Oklahoma Farm Bureau, announced today a $100,000 donation to help install storm shelters in Oklahoma schools. Rep. Mark McBride and Rep. Jon Echols accepted the donation on behalf of Shelter Oklahoma Schools, an Oklahoma charity established to build storm shelters in schools in the aftermath of the devastating May 2013 tornadoes in central Oklahoma. “The foundation commends Shelter Oklahoma Schools for developing a private sector solution to install storm shelters in our schools around the state,” said Jeramy Rich, president of the Oklahoma Farming and Ranching Foundation. “Keeping our schools and […]
Noble County Farm Bureau member appointed to FAPC advisory board
An agricultural producer is the newest addition to an advisory board representing Oklahoma State University’s Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center. Appointed by the vice president, dean and director of OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Scott Dvorak, owner and operator of Dvorak Farms in Perry, Okla., joins the 16-member Industry Advisory Committee to help oversee the center’s mission and vision. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to be a part of this committee and to learn more about the advisory board and center,” Dvorak said. Dvorak is no stranger to FAPC or being involved […]
Australian farmers to tour Oklahoma July 23-24
A group of 36 Australian agricultural producers will be spending two days visiting Oklahoma farms and ranches, July 23-24. The Oklahoma tour is coordinated by Oklahoma Farm Bureau. Members of the media are invited to join along with the tour. The tour schedule is: Tuesday, July 23, 2013 8.00 a.m. Meet group at Courtyard Marriott in Bricktown and go to Stockyards9.00 a.m. Travel to Ft. Reno9.45 a.m. to 11.15 a.m. Tour Ft. Reno with David VonTungeln11.45 a.m. to noon Cattlemen’s Steakhouse lunch with local farmers 1.15 p.m. Depart for dairy and hay farm tour near Guthrie, […]
Legislative Update with John Collison
In this edition of Legislative Update, I want to talk about the one major issue that still plagues our state and the major agricultural states to our west. It is the continuance of a drought that is now growing into its third year. This drought has now locked itself into western Oklahoma, with a growing cost near $1.5 billion dollars in agricultural economic loss. Please read that again. Oklahoma agriculture has lost $1.5 billion dollars in the last three years due to the lack of rain and water planning. In looking at the U.S. Geological Survey history of 2013 […]