Five delegates from Oklahoma Farm Bureau helped set grassroots policy at the 2026 American Farm Bureau convention in Anaheim that will guide the policy efforts of the nation’s leading farm organization for the coming year.
Farmers and ranchers from around the nation gathered on Tuesday, Jan. 13, to consider, discuss and vote upon proposed changes to the AFBF policy created and submitted by grassroots Farm Bureau members.
Oklahoma was represented in the business meeting by Stacy Simunek, OKFB president; Kerry Givens, district four director; Gary Crawley, district five director, Macy Strom, district nine director; and Allison Theis, Young Farmers and Ranchers chairman.
“Being able to watch the grassroots process from the start in one of our counties to the end at national convention encourages me of the importance of what we do in our county resolutions meetings,” Stacy Simunek said. “I would also like to say what a great job our Oklahoma delegates did for our Oklahoma Farm Bureau members.”
For the fourth year, delegates were polled during the voting session regarding their farms. The results show almost 99% of those who cast votes operate family farms and more than two-thirds represent small- to mid-size farms as defined by USDA. Today’s discussion highlighted the fact that farmers across the spectrum and across the country are struggling.
“America’s farmers and ranchers are facing unprecedented challenges in agriculture, including high supply costs, trade imbalances, and low commodity prices,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Today, our members gave us clear guidance on how we should address those challenges in the coming year. Farm Bureau’s strength was on display today, as our grassroots set the policy for this organization. We look forward to taking their stories to leaders in Washington as we work to ensure farmers and ranchers can continue to fill pantries for families across the country.”
Delegates adopted policy to improve labor programs to meet the needs of America’s farmers and ranchers, including formalizing support for the new Adverse Effect Wage Rate methodology and further revisions to avoid unpredictable rate swings in the future.
They voted to support federal funding for research and biosecurity facilities to better identify and combat illnesses and pests that threaten the health of crops and animals. New policy also includes committing more resources to eradicate the New World Screwworm, and keeping the U.S.-Mexico border closed to cattle trade until the screwworm is controlled.
Delegates revised national farm policy to provide more protection for dairy farmers who may suffer losses due to market challenges.
Delegates also formalized support for prioritizing locally grown fruits, vegetables, bread, and proteins in institutional purchases such as schools and government facilities.
Voting members also requested that the board of directors analyze several agricultural issues, including the impact of tariffs and the lack of affordable insurance options for poultry farmers.
OKFB President Stacy Simunek was also elected to fill a one-year term on the AFBF board of directors during regional caucuses held on Jan. 13.
