WWW.OKFARMBUREAU.ORG FARM BUREAU Perspective NOVEMBER 28, 2014

OKFB President Tom Buchanan and Resolutions Chair lead the resolutions session at the 2014 OKFB Annual Meeting. Delegates selected two issues as top priorities for the next year: passing right-to-farm legislation and working against federal overregulation.

OKFB delegates set priority issues for next year In this extended issue: oting delegates at the 73rd Oklahoma The delegate body also addressed Farm Bureau Annual Convention agricultural issues such as wind and water, Convention coverage selected two issues as top priorities for the along with private property rights, which is next year. The right-to-farm legislation and a cornerstone of OKFB policy. — Farm Family of the Year working against federal overregulation, “Protecting the private property rights of such as the EPA’s proposed changes to farmers and ranchers is continually a top — Distinguished Service Award Waters of the U.S., will both be a focus of priority for Oklahoma Farm Bureau and its the organization’s policy. members,” said Buchanan. — YF&R awards “The issue of right-to-farm is very OKFB is a grassroots organization which — New OKFB board members important to modern-day production takes its direction from the membership. agriculture not only in Oklahoma but also Delegates voted to pass 66 resolutions at — 100 Percent Club recognition across the nation,” said Tom Buchanan, this year’s annual meeting. All accepted OKFB president. “We are working to protect resolutions will be added to the Oklahoma — Social media wrap-up one of the primary economic drivers in Farm Bureau Policy Book which OKFB the state of Oklahoma so our industry can public policy staff will use to guide their — Other award winners continue to function as new technologies decisions when lobbying for legislation. develop.” Karen, Brittany, Wayne and Fern Krehbiel were recognized OKFB’s Farm Family of the Year. As state winners, the Krehbiel family received the use of a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 Double Cab pickup for one year, an expense- paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting next January in San Diego and other prizes.

Karen and Brittany have both attended AFBF annual meetings and traveled to Washington, D.C., with the OKFB Congressional Action Tour to lobby to members of Congress on behalf of Oklahoma agriculture. “Farm Bureau has been that catalyst Krehbiels named Farm Family of the Year that has helped us to promote agriculture and be able to tell our story to consumers,” aren Krehbiel and her daughter active member of the farm family until his Karen said. “Farm Bureau has given us the Brittany, along with Karen’s mother- death in 2011. training, the courage and the passion to do in-law, Fern, and father-in-law, Wayne, were The Krehbiel family raises wheat, grain this.” named the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Farm sorghum, peanuts, canola and alfalfa on The Krehbiel family is also very active Family of the Year at this year’s convention. their operation along with 250 head of in their community and the agricultural The Krehbiels were chosen for their commercial Dorset ewes. The family also industry. Karen currently serves on the ability to best represent farming and sells and services center-pivot hydraulic Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food ranching and the spirit of Oklahoma drive systems. and Forestry Board agriculture. Karen and It is truly an honor to represent of Directors and “It is truly an honor to represent Brittany are previously served Oklahoma agriculture and represent all of lifelong OKFB Oklahoma agriculture and on the Oklahoma the families that farm in Oklahoma,” Karen members. Both represent all of the families that Wheat Growers said after winning the award. have been active farm in Oklahoma. Association Board. The Krehbiel family farm has a rich with the Caddo Wayne was inducted — Karen Krehbiel history in Oklahoma agriculture, which County Farm into the Oklahoma includes five generations of dedicated Bureau Women’s Committee, where Karen Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2011. Brittany is farmers. Karen and Brittany farm served as the vice chair for two years. Karen continuing on with agriculture by majoring approximately 2,300 acres of land near has also served on the AFBF Commodity in agricultural economics at Oklahoma Hydro. Karen’s husband, Jeff, also was an Advisory Board. State University. Oklahoma Farm Bureau Online

Flickr: Convention photos available Award winners featured on YouTube More than 250 photos from the OKFB Annual Meeting have Videos featuring the OKFB Farm Families of the Year, YF&R been uploaded to the OKFB Flickr page. From award winners to candid Achievement Award winners, YF&R Lifetime Legacy Award winners shots of members, the weekend has been captured and posted for you and the Oklahoma Farming and Ranching Foundation are available to see. To view, download, print and/or share the photos, go to on YouTube for viewing. To watch the videos and share on your social flickr.com/photos/okfarmbureau. media sites, go to youtube.com/okfarmbureau.

www.okfarmbureau.org facebook twitter pinterest instagram flickr wordpress soundcloud youtube 2 | perspective Other Awards Garfield County wins John I. Taylor Award The John I. Taylor Award is named after OKFB’s first president and serves as the organization’s highest county honor. County winners are required to earn the Four-Star Presidential Award and excel in at least six different program areas.

Garvin County earns Roland Pederson received the Distinguished Service to OKFB Award at this year’s convention. Lewis H. Munn Award The award is named after the second Pederson honored with OKFB Distinguished president of Oklahoma Farm Bureau, and each year a specific area of involvement is Service Award judged for the award. This year’s area was oland Pederson of Alfalfa County was Pederson said. “I contributed some to the political education. recognized with the Distinguished organization, but nothing like a lot of people Service to Oklahoma Farm Bureau Award have. I’m very thankful for Farm Bureau for Noble County wins during the OKFB 73rd Annual Convention allowing this to happen.” Nov. 15 in Tulsa. Pederson and his wife, Terry, began their Charles L. Roff Award The Distinguished Service Award transition into farming and ranching full The Charles L. Roff Award encourages honors OKFB members who have made time with a custom harvesting business. county YF&R groups to improve their local outstanding contributions to agriculture and Currently, they produce wheat, milo, corn, the Farm Bureau organization. Pederson has soybeans, canola and alfalfa. They also committees and activity participation while been working in agriculture for nearly 40 run a cow/calf herd and stockers on wheat strengthening the Farm Bureau organization. years and joined OKFB in 1972. pasture. Pederson has been actively involved “I developed a love for agriculture Sharon King honored with in the organization serving on the Alfalfa growing up,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed County board of directors for 20 years and trying to improve the quality of any of the Secretary of the Year Award serving as the state director for District 7 for animals and crops I’ve produced. It’s a Sharon King of the Caddo County Farm the past nine years. challenge I’ve enjoyed, and it’s a passion “I feel very humbled to receive the award,” I’ve had all my life.” Bureau office was honored as the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Secretary of the Year. King has worked in the Caddo County office for 11 years. She said her favorite part of her job is coordinating events with her county board OKFB delegates elect three board members and members.

Laubach, Brabham and Thompson named OKFB Journalists of the Year Paul Laubach of the Hennessey Clipper, Okeene Record, Canton Times and Dewey County Record; Caleb Brabham of the Bristow News; and Herman Thompson of The Morris News were recognized with Alan Jett Jimmy Wayne Kinder Keith Kisling Oklahoma Farm Bureau Journalist of the District 1 District 4 District 7 Year awards. Beaver County Cotton County Alfalfa County oklahoma farm bureau | 3 Sniders receive YF&R Lifetime Legacy Award

and Wanda Snider of Chelsea, E.J. always had a love for draft horses and Oklahoma, are the recipients of purchased a team of Belgian mares, which Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers the couple still has today. E.J. often drives and Ranchers Lifetime Legacy Award. the draft horse team in local parades and E.J. grew up in agriculture in Rogers even takes local church and school groups County and Wanda grew up in Arkoma, for rides in their wagon. Oklahoma, with a love for animals. The Snider’s love for agriculture has Together, the couple has continued to farm influenced many and the couple enjoys on the land that has been in E.J.’s family helping others succeed in the industry. since 1889. E.J. and Wanda managed a E.J. and Wanda are also active in their dairy for 30 years on their farm while also community. E.J. currently serves as the E.J. and Wanda Snider maintaining a beef cattle herd. vice president of Mayes County Rural Water E.J. and Wanda said they were surprised District 5 and the couple serves on the serves as a living memorial for members to be honored with this award by YF&R. Rural Water Conservation and Development by recognizing their life achievements. It is “After a lifetime in agriculture, this is just Board. The couple is also involved in their intended to honor an individual or a couple more than you can expect and better than church community. who has spent their life enriching and you can imagine,” E.J. said. The YF&R Lifetime Legacy Award inspiring rural Oklahomans’ quality of life.

Marty and Crystal Williams of Noble County were named the winners of the 2014 Oklahoma YF&R Awards Farm Bureau YF&R Achievement Award. As state winners, the family received a John Deere Gator and an expense-paid trip to the AFBF Convention in January.

J.T. and Sara Bain of Pittsburgh County won the YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award. Williams family earns YF&R Achievement Award arty and Crystal Williams of Noble seven different crops. But we do it so we County were named the winners of can feed the world.” the 2014 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young The Williams couple has been active in Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award. Farm Bureau for eight years and has served Marty said the YF&R Achievement Award on the state YF&R Committee and the state is one of the reasons the couple chose to resolutions committee. Crystal is active in become involved in Farm Bureau. her homeschool co-op and also teaches art “I saw how neat it was at my first classes, while Marty serves on numerous convention I attended conservation to be honored for More than winning the award, we and co-op Brent Haken of Payne County was named the work that you boards. the winner of the YF&R Discussion Meet. do,” he said. “It was wanted to represent Oklahoma. As winners, really neat to continue — Marty Williams the Williams to strive toward that goal, but more than family received a John Deere Gator HPX 4x4 winning the award, we wanted to represent courtesy of GEO 720 and P&K Equipment, Oklahoma.” a chainsaw donated by Smith Farm and Marty and Crystal grow a variety of crops Garden in Tulsa and an expense-paid trip including wheat, corn, grain sorghum, to San Diego for the 2015 American Farm canola, soybeans and native grass pastures Bureau Annual Meeting. on their farm near Red Rock. The couple The couple will compete on a national also manages a cow/calf operation. level for the AFBF Young Farmers and “There is always a crop,” Marty said. Ranchers Achievement Award during the Seth McLaughlin of Prague was the winner “Sometimes there are five or six or even AFBF Annual Meeting. of the YF&R High School Discussion Meet. 4 | perspective #OKFB14

Thank you to all the members who tweeted along with us during the 2014 Annual Meeting. Social media is one of the most effective ways to reach a large number of people, and you are all helping to spread Farm Bureau’s message! Keep tweeting!

Danna Fowble (@nonprofitchick) #okfb14 love it when an organization blesses the food.

Clint and Jessica Wilcox enjoy a sweet treat Oklahoma Farm Bureau (@okfarmbureau) at the ice cream social at convention where The breakout session on a #farmbill update is standing room only! Discussing the proceeds were donated to the Oklahoma Farm difference between ARC & PLC. #okfb14 Bureau Legal Foundation. Brenda Brantley (@BrendaLynn10) Thank you for your Payne County YFR & Board are Ready, Set, and “Ready to” Grow! THANKS TO OKFB support of the OKFB MEMBER BENEFITS & ! #okfb14 Mason Bolay (@BolayMasonOK) Legal Foundation Rise & shine its flap jack time @jessicawilcoxOK @okfarmbureau @kinderjw he Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal @anchorbcattle #yfrfundraiser #okfb14 Foundation ice cream social was a great success! Oklahoma Farm Bureau Ron Hays (@Ron_on_RON) members from every corner of the state Howdy Neighbors! We are spending the day at #OKFB14 in Tulsa- great to see so many enjoyed a sweet treat after the general friends here- now down to work as general session starts! session of the 73rd Annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau Convention in Tulsa. Sandra (@hammyberry) The OFBLF continues to engage in public Yum! Ice cream with 1000 of my friends at the Oklahoma Farm Bureau State Convention! interest litigation to preserve and protect #okfb14 private property rights and production agriculture. A special thank you to everyone Jessica Wilcox (@jessicawilcoxOK) who attended the ice cream social and supported the OFBLF’s work to protect the Just saw the #PetersonBrothers walk in to our @okfarmbureau Annual Banquet! private property rights of Oklahomans. #SureSignOfAGoodTime #okfb14 We look forward to seeing you at events in the future! Thank you so much for your Jimmy W. Kinder (@kinderjw) generous support. Water policy is up at #okfb14

— LeeAnna McNally, OFBLF Member Benefits Calendar LifeStation Medical Monitoring Happy Thanksgiving from Oklahoma Farm Bureau! Oklahoma Farm Bureau members receive a discount on LifeStation’s monthly service fee with no equipment charges. Visit LifeStation’s OKFB Leadership Team Winter Rally Dec. 5-6 — Norman website for more information on their monitoring services. Contact: Marcia Irvin (405) 523-2405

OKFB highlights a benefit in each issue of Perspective as a reminder of 2015 AFBF Convention the savings available to OKFB members. You can find a complete list of Jan. 11-14 — San Diego savings on the Oklahoma Farm Bureau website. Contact: Melisa Neal (405) 523-2475 www.okfarmbureau.org/benefits oklahoma farm bureau | 5 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 Specialists Karolyn Bolay 405-523-2320 Samantha Smith 405-523-2346

100 Percent Club The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Public Policy department recognizes the following individuals as members of the 100 Percent Club, a club exclusive to those members of the legislature who stand with OKFB on issues 100 percent of the time. OKFB thanks you for your service and looks forward to working with you during the 2015 legislative session. House of Representatives Senate

John Bennett Tom Newell Constance Johnson Scott Biggs Leslie Osborn Don Barrington Clark Jolley David Brumbaugh David Perryman Brian Bingman Donnie Condit Anastasia Pittman Kyle Loveless David Derby Brian Renegar Cliff Branan Bryce Marlatt Dale DeWitt Sean Roberts Al McAffrey John Enns Mike Sanders Bill Brown Susan Paddack Seneca Scott Mike Schulz Elise Hall T.W. Shannon Ralph Shortey Mike Jackson Jerry Shoemake A.J. Griffin John Sparks Skye McNiel Jason Murphey Mike Turner

First Gentleman receives Oklahoma Farm Bureau Agricultural Advocate Award

klahoma’s First Gentleman Wade worked on promoting agriculture during his Christensen was recognized with time on the National Governors Association the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Agriculture Spouses Leadership Committee. Advocate Award during Oklahoma Farm As chairman of the NGA’s Spouses Bureau’s 73rd Annual Convention on Nov. Leadership Committee, Christensen 15 in Tulsa. moderated a signature session on the topic The OKFB Agriculture Advocate Award of agriculture. The session emphasized the honors those who have been an advocate importance of the agricultural industry in for the agriculture industry to the general providing a safe and affordable food source public. Specifically, Christensen has in the U.S. and the world. 6 | perspective