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 and […]

Key members of Oklahoma’s business and agricultural communities came together in support of comprehensive immigration reform and praised the immigration standards released by Speaker of the House John Boehner last week.  “We know that our immigration system in severely flawed. Our priorities need to be securing our borders and then creating a legal way to enter this country. Illegal immigration isn’t just a security issue; it has a huge economic impact as well,” said John Collison of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. “Our members regularly struggle with having the labor force they need, and the current system too often rewards those […]

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Leadership Conference will be held Feb. 17-18 in Oklahoma City at the Skirvin Hotel. The conference focuses on updating members on the legislative issues on state and federal levels.   The agenda for the two day conference features Congressman Markwayne Mullin and Congressman James Lankford. They both will be giving an update from Washington, D.C. Also, on the agenda is Cordon DeKock with the State Chamber of Oklahoma and Dave Hageman with Protect the Harvest.  You can view a full agenda for the conference below. February 17 Registration                  […]

As January melts into February, it can mean only one thing … we are quickly upon another legislative session. Last year’s successes are behind us, and new issues lay ahead. This will be the last session for some legislative members, as term limits have caught up with them. We wish them God’s speed and good luck as they embark on a new chapter in their lives. We also want to thank them for their service to the state of Oklahoma. It’s not always easy to do what these members do on a day-to-day basis, and for that we say thanks! […]

The deadline for OKFB’s Campaign Management Seminar has been extended to January 27. The seminar will be held Feb. 13 – 14 in Oklahoma City.  The two-day seminar is open to any candidates running for public office, at any level, along with their spouses and campaign managers. The seminar will cover a variety of topics including budget preparation, campaign structure, and handling interviewers.  Oklahoma Farm Bureau members are eligible to receive a discount of $40 to the seminar. If anyone is interested in the seminar, you can download the registration form and brochure here or you can contact the public […]