A resolution calling for a federal farm program that provides a strong safety net for farm income using a combination of crop insurance and a revenue assurance program topped the list of policies passed by voting delegates at the 70th annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau Convention, Nov. 11-13, Oklahoma City. “We want to protect our producers’ ability to grow food and ! ber for this country,” said OFB President Mike Spradling. “We believe crop insurance should be a top priority and is a key to Oklahoma agriculture’s success.” " ere is concern direct payments may be eliminated since federal administration is considering reducing the U.S. agriculture department's budget. " e proposed resolution says OFB supports keeping direct and counter-cyclical payments to farmers, but if they are going to be reduced more than 33 percent, the remaining funds should be shifted to a revenue assur-ance program. “We need to keep a strong, a# ordable crop insurance program and realize at the same time direct payments

provide income stability,” said Scott Neufeld, chairman of OFB’s Farm Bill Committee. Delegates also passed a resolution opposing the use of conjunctive use management anywhere in Oklahoma. “We do not want to link ground water and surface water rights together,” Spradling said. In other delegate action, Spradling, of Tulsa County, was re-elected to serve his third, two-year term as Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. Newly elected district directors include Beaver county farmer and rancher Alan Jett and Cotton County producer Jimmy Wayne Kinder. Roland Pederson of Alfalfa County also was re-elected to serve another three-year term. Re-elected members of the Farm Bureau Women’s Com-mittee are Linda Fox of Ellis County, Margaret Ann Kinder of Cotton County and Desi Mi-lacek of Gar! eld County.

OFB's Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee also elected a new chairman; delegates selected Brent and Amie Straub of Kiowa County to lead the group in 2012.

In addition to business sessions and a Saturday night awards banquet, OFB members also had the opportunity to hear entertaining speakers and enjoy a concert from country music singer Joe Di$ e. Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb and News 9 meteorologist Gary England were featured guest speakers during the Friday afternoon session, and U.S. Congressman James Lankford of Oklahoma’s 5th district spoke on faith and family during Sunday morning’s vespers program. See convention photos and press releases at okfarmbureau.org.

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OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU

November 18, 2011

OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU

November 18, 2011PPPERSPECTIVEERSPECTIVEERSPECTIVE

Members pass resolutions and re-elect Spradling at 70th Annual Meeting

OFB District Leadership

Farm Bureau District Directors – Oklahoma Farm Bureau voting delegates elected Alan Jett (left) of Beaver County for District 1 and Jimmy Wayne Kinder (middle) of Cotton County for District 4. Roland Pederson (right) of Alfalfa County was re-elected to serve District 7.

Mike Spradling

2011 OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU CONVENTIONGary England

U.S. Rep. James Lankford

Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb

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Oklahoma Farm Bureau OnlineMonitor the latest Farm Bureau

and agricultural news and information online at okfarmbureau.org.

Currently online:Convention Coverage – For a

complete review of all of this year’s annual meeting award winners and events, read press releases posted under the News tab.

Photo Galleries – It was a full schedule of meetings, awards ceremonies and elections at this year’s convention. See pictures from the OFB 70th Annual Meeting by selecting “galleries” under the News tab.

www.okfarmbureau.org

FBW Rally

Contact: Marcia Irvin, (405) 523-2405

YF&R State Committee Meeting

Contact: Chris Kidd, (405) 228-4001

AFBF Annual Meeting

Contact: Melisa Neal, (405) 523-2475

OFB C!"#$%!&

Visit with your local Farm Bureau Insurance agent for a list of competitive rates. okfarminsurance.com

Special member discounts are available. For information or to make a reservation through National Car Rental, call

800-654-3131.

M#'(#& B#$#)*+,

OFB highlights a few bene! ts in each issue of Perspective as a reminder of the savings available to OFB members. Find a complete list of savings online at okfarmbureau.org.

Young Farmers & Ranchers – OFB’s YF&R group elected new committee members during the 70th Annual Meeting. Pictured left to right are Ashley Parks, District 4; Derek and Mary Crain, District 1; Marty and Crystal Williams, District 7; Amy and Zac Harris, District 2; and Chad Selman, District 3.

RIGHT – Haskell County Farm Bureau member Ralph Kelly was honored with the 2011 Distinguished Service to Oklahoma Farm Bureau Award during the OFB convention. Also pictured are OFB Executive Director Monica Wilke and President Mike Spradling.

County Recognition – Comanche County received OFB’s highest county honor with the John I. Taylor Award. County winners are required to earn the Four-Star Presidential Award and excel in at least six different program areas. Pictured with OFB President Mike Spradling (left) is Comanche County President Don Hankins.

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2011 Award WinnersJohn I. Taylor Award: Comanche County

Lewis H. Munn Award: Garvin County

Distinguished Service to Oklahoma Farm Bureau: Ralph Kelly, Haskell County

OFB Farm Family of the Year: Scott and Brenda Neufeld, Major County

Secretary of the Year: Mary Smith, Washington County

Golden Eagle Award: John Pierce and Tony Morris, Nowata County

County AchievementCreek, Grant, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Payne, Stephens, Tulsa

Presidential AwardsFour Stars: Adair, Caddo, Kiowa, SequoyahFive Stars: $OIDOID��*DUÀ�HOG��/H)ORUH��Pontotoc, WoodsSix Stars: Comanche, Garvin, Major, Nowata, Seminole

CHAMPION AwardsRaymond Temple, Garvin CountyDennis Flaming, Major CountyMacy Strom, Washington County

Statewide Journalist of the Year: Bryan Painter, The Oklahoman

Rural Journalist of the Year: Barry 3RUWHUÀ�HOG��3DXOV�9DOOH\�'HPRFUDW

YF&R AwardsLifetime Legacy: Christy Smith, Pontotoc County

Achievement: Zac and Amy Harris, Kiowa County

Excellence in Agriculture: Will and Jennifer Cubbage, Osage County

Discussion Meet Winner: Chelsea Clifton

Charles L. Roff: Payne County

Outstanding YF&R County Event: Major County

Congratulations to all of the winning counties and members

for your dedicated service to Oklahoma Farm Bureau!

OFB Members Earn Top Awards)$50�)$0,/<�2)�7+(�

<($5�²�6FRWW�DQG�%UHQGD�Neufeld of Fairview in Major County received OFB’s Farm Family of the <HDU�$ZDUG��7KH\�ZRQ�the use of a new GMC Sierra pickup for one year along with a trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii, Jan. 8-11, 2012.

<)5�$&+,(9(0(17�$:$5'�– Zac and Amy Harris of Hobart in Kiowa County won the <)5�$FKLHYHPHQW�$ZDUG�IRU�2011. The award recognizes 2)%·V�WRS�<)5�IDUPLQJ�DQG�ranching couple. They received a livestock working chute from ::�/LYHVWRFN�6\VWHPV�DQG�DQ�all-expense-paid-trip to the AFBF Annual Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii, Jan. 8-11. Pictured with Zac and Amy are their three children (left to right) Ryan, Trale’ and Kenda.

<)5�(;&(//(1&(�,1�AG – Will and Jennifer Cubbage and son, Will, represent Osage County Farm Bureau and are the 2011 recipients of the <)5�([FHOOHQFH�LQ�$J�Award. They received a 3RODULV�IRXU�ZKHHOHU�$79��courtesy of Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma and Chisholm Trail Farm Credit, and a free trip to the AFBF Convention.

<)5�',6&866,21�0((7�²�&KHOVHD�&OLIWRQ�RI�.LQJÀ�VKHU�LV�WKH�ZLQQHU�RI�WKH������<)5�Discussion Meet. She competed DJDLQVW�À�YH�RWKHU�SDUWLFLSDQWV�in three rounds of debate-style discussion where performance is evaluated on the exchange of ideas and information on agricultural topics. She received a John Deere lawn mower and an all-expense-paid-trip to the AFBF Annual Meeting in January.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau2501 N. StilesOklahoma City, OK 73105-3126

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Traci Morgan, 523-2346 Perspective/Online News Editor

Sam Knipp, 523-2347 �9LFH�3UHVLGHQW�RI�&RPPXQLFDWLRQV�35

Tyler Norvell, 523-2402 9LFH�3UHVLGHQW�RI�3XEOLF�3ROLF\

Marla Peek, 523-2437 Director of Regulatory Affairs

STAFF DIRECTORY

Published by Oklahoma Farm BureauPostmaster: Send address corrections to:

Perspective, P.O. B. 53332, OKC, OK 73152-3332

4

Gail Banzet, 523-2346 Perspective/Online News Editor

Monica Wilke, 523-2303 Executive Director

Sam Knipp, 523-2347 �9LFH�3UHVLGHQW�RI�&RPPXQLFDWLRQV�35

Tyler Norvell, 523-2402�9LFH�3UHVLGHQW�RI�3XEOLF�3ROLF\

Marla Peek, 523-2437 Director of Regulatory Affairs

Kinsey Money, 523-2539'LUHFWRU�RI�5HVHDUFK��3ROLF\�'HYHORSPHQW

STAFF DIRECTORY

Published by Oklahoma Farm BureauPostmaster: Send address corrections to:

Perspective, P.O. B. 53332, OKC, OK 73152-3332

OFB sponsors governor’s annual food driveGov. Mary Fallin kicked o# her second annual “Feeding

Oklahoma” food drive on Nov. 1, at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau is one of several sponsors for the event, which runs through Nov. 22. " e goal of the campaign is to raise enough food and funds to provide 1 million meals for hungry Oklahomans.

“No one should have to go hungry during the holiday sea-son,” Fallin said. “I’ve always said that Oklahomans are the most generous and caring people in the world, and this is one more opportunity to showcase that community spirit.”

Non-perishable food items can be dropped o# at any of OFB’s 77 county o$ ce locations, all BancFirst locations statewide, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and all Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores in the Oklahoma City metro area. Also, thank you to all of the OFB members who donated items in the trade show area during OFB’s annual convention. A total of 360 pounds of food was collected at the food drive’s booth, and that is expected to provide 276 meals to hungry Oklahomans this winter.

Feeding Oklahoma – OFB President Mike Spradling (middle) attends the governor’s food drive kickoff in Oklahoma City, Nov. 1. Also pictured, Regional Food Bank Executive Director Rodney Bivens (left) and Gov. Mary Fallin.

<)5�7DLOJDWH�²�2NODKRPD�)DUP�%XUHDX·V�<RXQJ�)DUPHUV��5DQFKHUV�RUJDQL]DWLRQ�KRVWHG�WZR�WDLOJDWH�events at Oklahoma State football games in Stillwater WKLV�VHDVRQ��2)%�PHPEHUV�SLFWXUHG�DW�WKH�268�%D\ORU�Homecoming game on Oct. 29, are (back row, left to right) – Burton Harmon, Adam Martens, Tyler Norvell, Chris Kidd, (middle row) – Mike Spradling, Audrey Harmon and Ryan Pjesky, front – Jared Harmon.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau wishes its

members a bountiful harvest and a Happy

Thanksgiving!Photo courtesy of Beth Norvell