News Stories

Jimmy Kinder, Oklahoma Farm Bureau District Four Director and Cotton County Farm Bureau member, was recently appointed to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Committee. Comprised of 33 individuals from a variety of sectors across the U.S., the FRRCC provides independent policy advice, information and recommendations to the EPA administrator on a range of environmental issues and policies that are of importance to agriculture and rural communities. “One of my priorities for EPA has been to restore trust for our agency among agricultural stakeholders and rural communities,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “This committee will provide valuable input […]

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is currently accepting applications for a position representing northeast Oklahoma on its board of directors. Voting members in good standing with Oklahoma Farm Bureau are eligible to apply. All applications will be considered by the foundation’s board of directors. Final selection will be made by the board of directors. The application form can be found online at this link. Applications must be typed, printed and mailed to Oklahoma Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, Attn: Holly Carroll, 2501 N. Stiles Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73105. For more information, please contact foundation director Holly Carroll at […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau this week pressed the U.S. Department of Agriculture to expand its Coronavirus Food Assistance Program direct payment assistance to include hard red winter wheat. To be eligible for CFAP assistance, commodities were required to have suffered a 5-percent-or-greater decline from mid-January to mid-April 2020. Oklahoma wheat farmers – who rank third in the U.S. in production of hard red winter wheat – were excluded from the program because of a lack of evidence of economic harm from the coronavirus pandemic. In comments submitted to USDA this week, OKFB urged the inclusion of hard red winter wheat based […]

More than $61 million in direct payments have been approved for Oklahoma farmers and ranchers through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program as of Monday, June 8, according to a recent USDA report. Nearly 7,500 Oklahoma producers have applied for direct payments as of June 8, while $61,232,667.97 in payments have been approved. Livestock producers comprise nearly 95% of Oklahoma’s approved CFAP payments. Created through the Coronavirus Assistance, Relief and Economic Security Act and coordinated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, CFAP direct payments are designed to provide relief to eligible farmers and ranchers facing financial losses due to the impacts […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau members are encouraged to visit the OKFB booth at the Oklahoma City Farm Show June 18 through 20 at the State Fair Park. The farm show will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The event will take place in the Bennett Event Center and is free of charge. Stop by the OKFB booth to learn more about the benefits of being a Farm Bureau member, pick up some free garden seed and other fun giveaways, and register to win a YETI cooler. The […]

Ridge Hughbanks joined Oklahoma Farm Bureau as the government relations intern June 1. During his time at OKFB, Hughbanks will conduct research on the feasibility of expanding beef processing and packing facilities in Oklahoma. His work will help inform Farm Bureau members about the structural issues facing the animal protein industry as they develop grassroots policy in the fall. Hughbanks will also consider ways that rural Oklahomans can expand business opportunities to serve rural communities around the state. “I am ultimately most excited about learning the intricacies of the beef market and how OKFB can benefit producers all across the […]

Cole Eschete joined Oklahoma Farm Bureau as a summer intern beginning June 1. During his internship, Eschete will assist Farm Bureau staff with various programs and activities while learning more about the grassroots organization’s work on behalf of agriculture and rural Oklahoma. Eschete is a senior studying animal science with a production option at Oklahoma State University. His roots in agriculture trace back for five generations on his family’s ranch in Bokchito, Oklahoma, where he grew up. “Agriculture has always been a huge part of my life, given that it makes my family’s living,” Eschete said. “I am most excited […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau members ages 18 to 35 are invited to attend the OKFB Young Farmers and Ranchers annual summer conference July 10-12 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The three-day conference is an opportunity to meet fellow young farmers and ranchers from across the state, tour local agricultural facilities, and learn more about YF&R leadership opportunities and programs. Registration for the conference is free. OKFB will reserve hotel rooms at the Staybridge Suites in Oklahoma City for $100 per night. Attendees will receive an invoice upon arrival at the conference. All conference participants will be entered into a drawing to win […]