www.okfarmbureau.org Farm Bureau Perspective April 17, 2015 Mayer honored with Governor’s Excellence in Agriculture Award

ormer Oklahoma Farm Bureau board member Joe Mayer received the Governor’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Agriculture April 1 at the state Capitol. Mayer served as the District 1 Director from 1993-2002 on the OKFB board of directors. “We are so pleased a Farm Bureau member and former director has been honored for his contributions to agriculture,”said Tom Buchanan, president of Oklahoma Farm Bureau. “Joe has contributed so much to the agriculture industry, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award.” Former OKFB director Joe Mayer (second from left) receives the Governor’s Excellence in Mayer and his family are actively involved Agriculture Award from Gov. Mary Fallin. Pictured from left to right: Gov. Mary Fallin, Joe Mayer, in all aspects of a prosperous grain and Gunnar Rice, Kate Christensen, Eric Rice, Margie Rice and Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese. cattle business in the . He has been a pioneer in utilizing genetic as well as the Tri-County Electric and on many other state boards such as testing in cattle to improve calving ease, Cooperative Board. the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher docility, gainability and cutability. With his desire to serve his community Education. Just as important as his agricultural and the agriculture industry, Mayer also Mayer is a hardworking, distinguished production skills is his strong commitment demonstrates the impact an agricultural Oklahoman proud to serve his community, to serve his community. Mayer has producer can have on the political front. his industry and his country. His many benefited his home area of Texas County by He has helped elect political leaders with contributions to agriculture and Oklahoma serving on the Texas County Farm Bureau an interest in helping agriculture and has cement a strong foundation to build upon Board, Texas County Election Board, Texas served on the Oklahoma Agriculture and for future generations. County Excise and Equalization Board Stabilization and Conservation Service

District 7 Capitol Visit Garvin County Capitol Visit Pottawatomie County Capitol Visit The Right to Farm: The time is here for Oklahoma By John Collison OKFB Vice President of Public Policy and Media Relations

s we come into the farming and ranching operations they know We’re not easily persuaded by extreme last few weeks of nothing about. environmentalists from the West. Oklahoma session, all eyes turned to 2) I saw a TV commercial telling Farm Bureau, as an organization, has been Oklahoma Farm Bureau viewers the Right to Farm is really Right on the forefront protecting agriculture and and its priority legislation. In the 2015 to Harm? Is this true? property rights for years both at the state legislative session, HJR 1012, commonly As I type this article, west-coast dollars and national levels. Now is not the time referred to as Right to Farm, is one of the are flowing as members to last major pieces of legislation left standing. into Oklahoma Fortunately, this is Oklahoma and sit back and let This bill would provide the opportunity advertising. The we know agriculture — we live it outside groups with for Oklahomans to amend the State TV commercials environmentalist Constitution to secure an absolute right to are backed by every day. lawyers and farm and ranch in Oklahoma. For the last out of state — John Collison politicians work three years, this bill has faced an uphill environmentalists groups who have no against us. If you think they are not here yet battle and continues to do so this year. We legitimate interest in Oklahoma agriculture. or don’t care about Oklahoma agriculture, as an organization have never been closer They would like to tell you how you should turn on your TV and ask yourself why to winning a battle and getting this piece of raise your animals, what you should HSUS is running ads against the Right to legislation sent to a vote of the people. This plant and what food you and your family Farm bill. vote by the people would protect Oklahoma should have on your dinner plate. These Maybe it is because they think they know farmers and ranchers for decades to come. groups think they know what is best for how to care for animals better than you do, Here are the questions I get asked every you who live and work on the land. These but my money is on OKFB members. If you day, either at the Capitol or on the street: groups have already passed legislation in don’t believe what I’m saying just look at 1) Why do we need the Right to Farm Hawaii, California, Oregon and Washington legislatures in the West and see what bills in Oklahoma? banning either some form of crop they have already passed. My friends, with Of course today we have the right to production or livestock production. Friends, out this constitutional protection, you’re farm and ranch the way God intended it. these groups are now in Oklahoma where next. I understand today some Oklahomans they have hired environmentalist lawyers Call your legislators now and tell them believe there is not a perceived threat and retired politicians to try to convey a you support the Right to Farm bill to protect from HSUS or PETA or name your radical message that is simply not true. Oklahoma agriculture for decades to come. religion. Those groups continue to advocate Fortunately, this is Oklahoma and we The other side is working against you. for themeselves — they want control of know agriculture — we live it every day. OKFB Congressional Action Tour The annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau Congressional Action Tour was held this last week in Washington D.C. Fifty-three OKFB members and staff traveled to our nation’s capital to visit with U.S. congressmen and talk about current issues facing Oklahoma agriculture and rural America. Be sure to look for the next issue of Perspective for more news about the tour.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau Online Congressman Russell wants to boost rural Keep up with us on Facebook infrastructure If you’re looking to keep up with all things OKFB, be sure to like U.S. Rep. Steve Russell (OK-5), talks with OKFB’s Sam Knipp about the Oklahoma Farm Bureau page on Facebook. We have daily updates boosting the state’s rural infrastructure. Cong. Russell includes water with photos, news articles, sound clips and videos to keep our members transportation in the discussion. To listen, visit the Oklahoma Farm up-to-date on the most current issues. Bureau SoundCloud page at soundcloud.com/okfarmbureau.

www.okfarmbureau.org facebook twitter pinterest instagram flickr wordpress soundcloud youtube 2 | perspective Cheyenne Simmons Zac Swartz Sarah Stuart Organization and Membership Organization and Membership Public Policy Simmons, Swartz and Stuart join OKFB Federation staff hree new faces have joined the advocating for the protection and future Swartz graduated from the University of Oklahoma Farm Bureau Federation success of Oklahoma agriculture,” Central Oklahoma with a degree in general staff since the beginning of the year. Simmons said. studies. Cheyenne Simmons and Zac Swartz were Simmons comes to OKFB from Waurika, Sarah Stuart began working at OKFB hired by the Organization and Membership Oklahoma, in Jefferson County. She earned as the public policy coordinator in March. Department, and Sarah Stuart joined the her bachelor’s degree in communications She is in charge of running the public Public Policy Department, respectively. from the University of Oklahoma. policy calendar, scheduling Capitol visits, Cheyenne Simmons is the new Zac Swartz, a Sulphur, Oklahoma, native, event planning and ethics reporting. administrative assistant in the Organization has joined the safety services team in the “I absolutely love my job,” Stuart said. and Membership Department. She will same department as a safety specialist. He “I have learned so much in the short time oversee the development of statewide will be involved with the DUI Prevention that I have been here, and I look forward to membership campaigns, work closely with Program, Fire House Safety Program and furthering my knowledge in agriculture and county leadership to ensure members’ the OKFB Commodity Trailer. public policy.” needs are heard and incorporated in “Growing up, I always wanted to find a Stuart, a native of Edmond, Oklahoma, departmental outputs, and develop way to help children, and working at Farm said she wanted to work for OKFB because collaborative approaches to increase Bureau allows me to do just that,” Swartz of its grassroots system. member growth and retention. said. “I enjoy promoting awareness and “I have met members from several “I’m so proud to work for an organization safety to children of all ages while teaching different counties, and I can see their voices that invests such a great deal into about Oklahoma agriculture.” are really being heard,” she said. Member Benefits Calendar GM Discount Deadline for OYLA Registration Don’t forget about the $500 GM discount available to OKFB members! April 20 — Eligible OKFB members can receive $500 FB Bonus Cash on the Contact: Holly Carroll (405) 530-2307 qualifying purchase or lease of a new Chevrolet, GMC or Buick vehicle. Farm City Festival

April 21 — Oklahoma Capitol OKFB highlights a benefit in each issue of Perspective as a reminder of Contact: Marcia Irvin (405) 523-2405 the savings available to OKFB members. You can find a complete list of savings on the Oklahoma Farm Bureau website. YF&R Golf Tournament May 8 — Enid www.okfarmbureau.org/benefits Contact: Holly Carroll (405) 530-2307 oklahoma farm bureau | 3 Published by Oklahoma Farm Bureau Oklahoma Farm Bureau PublishedPostmaster: by Send Oklahoma address correctionsFarm Bureau to: 2501 N. Stiles Non-Profit Postmaster: Send address corrections to: U.S. Postage Perspective, P.O. B. 53332, OKC, OK 73152-3332 Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3126 Perspective, P.O. B. 53332, OKC, OK 73152-3332 PAID Permit No. 131 STAFF DIRECTORY Okla. City, OK. Executive Director Monica Wilke 405-523-2303 VP of Public Policy and Media Relations John Collison 405-523-2539 Directors of Corporate Communications Sam Knipp 405-523-2347 Dustin Mielke 405-530-2640 Communications Specialist Samantha Smith 405-523-2346

All Around Oklahoma: Wrapping up with photos

Logan County Farm Bureau member Connie Whitmore was honored at Ag Day at the Capitol was held April 1, and we caught up with some the Capitol as the 2015 Ag in the Classroom Teacher of Year. The OKFB of our members at the OKFB booth. Pictured from left to right: David Women’s Leadership Committee presented her with a $360 check to Gammill, Don Schieber, Tom Stephens, Kitty Beavers and Keith Kisling. pay for her registration to the National Ag in the Classroom Conference.

Oklahoma City Manager Jim Couch spoke with the Oklahoma Farm U.S. Rep. Steve Russell (R-OK), speaks to a packed house during a town Bureau Water Committee about transferring water throughout the state. hall meeting at Seminole State College. Cong. Russell talked about He said the metro has been transferring water for decades — since the reducing wasteful government spending and improving Oklahoma’s late ‘50s and early ‘60s. infrastructure, including rural roads, bridges and water transportation.

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