News Stories

An exhaustive, six-stop caravan across Oklahoma Oct. 18 yielded strong support for Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s campaign to vote against State Question 744. Making stops in El Reno, Shawnee, Clinton, Muskogee, Lawton and Tulsa, the caravan consisted of Farm Bureau leaders, state legislators and educators. “We wanted to inform voters of the devastating impact to rural areas if SQ 744 passes,” said Mike Spradling, OFB president. “We’re concerned property taxes would increase, agriculture sales tax exemptions would go away, and rural fire departments, hospitals and nursing homes would all lose funding,” Spradling said. It is estimated the state question would cost […]

A caravan of Oklahoma Farm Bureau leaders will make brief stops in six locations across the state Monday, Oct. 18, to support a “no” vote on State Question 744.   “We want voters to know the devastating impact of 744,” Mike Spradling, OFB president said. “Farmers and ranchers support education, but 744 could cost up to $1.7 billion. How are we going to pay for that? The answer is severe budget cuts and higher taxes that will cost all Oklahomans with no guarantee of improving education.”   The caravan will have both an east and west component. The eastern leg […]

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation has filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction to stop the Oklahoma Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners from enforcing emergency rules contradicting legislation passed this year.   During the 2010 legislative session, lawmakers passed House Bill 3202 clarifying certain acts of traditional animal husbandry, including pregnancy checking and equine teeth floating, were not exclusive to the practice of veterinary medicine. In August the board passed emergency rules prohibiting non-veterinarians from performing some types of animal husbandry.   “We believe they are circumventing the legal process and going against the desire of the state legislature,” Mike […]

Daniel Navarro, who holds CPCU, CLU, CHFC designations, has been named Vice President of Underwriting for Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company.   Navarro graduated with a Bachelor of Business degree from Arizona State University and has more than 22 years experience in the insurance field. During that time he acquired the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (CHFC). He has worked as an accountant, field underwriter, loss control representative, commercial underwriter, and for the past 2 1/2 years served as the Underwriting Team Manager for State Farm’s three state area. Navarro will […]

Ericka McPherson has been named General Counsel for Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Affiliated Companies. She most recently served as Assistant General Counsel. McPherson will continue her work in the General Counsel’s office on legal, regulatory and legislative matters impacting OFB and affiliated companies.   McPherson began her career at OFB in 2005 as an attorney with the Legal Foundation. She has worked on both state and national Farm Bureau issues as OFB’s Director of National Affairs. McPherson graduated from St. Louis University and then attended Oklahoma City University, where she received her Juris Doctorate. Ericka and her husband, Cody, have […]

Gary Buckner has been named vice president of claims for Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company. Buckner has an extensive background in the claims industry, starting his career in 1996 as an adjuster for OFBMIC’s McAlester District Claims Office. He has served the company as an adjuster, district claims manager and was promoted to Associate Claims Manager where he has served since 2005. Buckner has also been the Associate Claims Manager in the Casualty area since January 2010. He holds an Associate in Claims (AIC) certificate and is a graduate of Northeastern State University in Tahlequah where he earned a […]

The Oklahoma congressional delegation has signed a letter protesting the EPA’s proposed regulations on dust particulate matter. The EPA is proposing dust particles be regulated under the Clean Air Act. The proposal would severely restrict any activity that adds dust to the air.   “Farming activities kick up dust. It is impossible to stop it,” said Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. “Simply driving on a dirt road could potentially violate the EPA’s regulations. If the regulations are approved, this would establish the most stringent and unparalleled regulations of dust in our nation’s history.”   The letter urges EPA Secretary […]

Richard Newberry has been named General Manager and Executive Vice President of Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company. “Richard is an excellent leader and insurance professional,” said Monica Wilke, Executive Director/General Counsel for Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Affiliated Companies. “His skills will help us continue moving our company forward.” Newberry brings a wealth of insurance experience to the position. He started his career with the company in 1993 as an adjuster in the Tulsa District Claims office. He has steadily been promoted to a number of important managerial positions including Central District Claims Manager, Associate Claims Manager and in 2005 […]

The American Farm Bureau Federation has honored all seven members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation with its “Friend of Farm Bureau” award for their sustained and exemplary support of farmers and ranchers. Oklahoma Farm Bureau nominated the delegation for the award, which recognizes members of Congress, regardless of party affiliation, for outstanding agricultural leadership and support of Farm Bureau policies. “We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to work with these outstanding legislative leaders,” said OFB President Mike Spradling. “They understand our needs and have a positive response to our issues.” Receiving the “Friend of Farm Bureau” award are U.S. […]

The majority of young farmers and ranchers participating in a survey of the farm economy said they are optimistic. The survey was conducted during the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Summer Conference in Shawnee July 23-25. The survey indicated 88 percent feel good about the farm economy, but a less optimistic 66 percent believe this will be a good year for Oklahoma agriculture. Typical of the comments made was this statement by Will Cubbage of Bartlesville: “I am somewhat optimistic in the short run,” Cubbage said. “If farm prices improve the last half of the year, this will be […]