SPRING 2009 THE MAGAZINE OF THE FARM BUREAU

INSIDE:INSIDE: FarmFarm Bureau’sBureau’s InIn TheThe HouseHouse TheThe LawLaw OfOf TheThe LandLand PlantingPlanting NewNew ExperiencesExperiences TheThe ThrillThrill OfOf VictoryVictory

Oklahoma ContentsCountry

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Features 8 – Farm Bureau’s in the House When the opened its 52nd session in February, 14 three more chairs in the House of Representatives were occupied by Farm Bureau members.. BY MIKE NICHOLS

14 – The Law of the Land The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture’s Investigative Services Unit is proving its value after being formed in 2007. BY DUSTIN MIELKE

22 – Planting New Experiences The Tulsa County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee’s latest project 22 with its adopted school is a greenhouse. BY TRACI MORGAN

26 – The Thrill of Victory Mayes County Farm Bureau agent’s pride is showing. BY MIKE NICHOLS Columns Departments 2 – Presidentially Speaking 4 – Country Kitchen 6 – Country Gardening 28 – All Around Oklahoma 42 – Country Classifieds 26 Hidden number worth $50!

ne member family’s Oklahoma 4 p.m. at 405-523-2300. Cover Image Farm Bureau membership The OFB membership number hidden New Representatives Onumber is hidden somewhere in somewhere in OKLAHOMA COUNTRY , Leslie this issue of OKLAHOMA COUNTRY, and must match the number on the face of Osborn and Steve could earn that member family $50. your individual OFB membership card for To claim the cash prize, the member you to claim the cash prize. The member- Kouplen pose at the family must find its own hidden ship number that appears on your state seal near the membership number and contact Mike magazine’s mailing label is not the hidden south steps of the Nichols before the last day of the month number, but must match the hidden Oklahoma Capitol. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to number for you to claim the cash prize.

Oklahoma Country • Spring 2009 • 1 PresidentiallySpeaking

BY MIKE SPRADLING President, Oklahoma Farm Bureau & Affiliated Companies

Do you have what it takes to be a leader?

eadership” as defined by Webster action. Are you one of these people who get enduring leader? Lean on looks, talent, Dictionary seems fairly things done? Do you encourage or can you education, and early positive environment. “L straightforward. But sometimes a influence people to take action? Thinking of Lost his job and a seat in the state definition needs further defining, yourself as a Farm Bureau leader do you legislature. Failed in business. Elected to the as in this case. Webster defined the word exhibit sufficient trust or authority to state legislature two years later, but suffered leadership as “the activity of leading.” How motivate others to achieve a shared the loss of his sweetheart, who died. Had a can something so complex and involved be so objective? When it comes to creating a “can nervous breakdown. Lost the nomination for simple to define? In January the Young do environment” can we agree that Congress. Elected to Congress, but failed to Farmers and Ranchers held their Winter leadership is manifested through relation- be renominated two years later. Rejected for Conference in Stillwater where Dr. Sue ships of trust and common benefit. Have you the position of land officer. Defeated for the Williams, professor and head of Human ever thought of yourself as a teacher – Senate. Defeated for the nomination for the Development and Family Sciences at “leaders create leaders who create leaders?” Vice Presidency of the United States. Oklahoma State University, presented a There are many characteristics that are Defeated again for the Senate two years later. program on understanding leadership. associated with a leader, some being: This person never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, I have no attention on going over her ambitious, broad-minded, caring, competent, ever, gave in, he never gave in, never gave in, entire program, but I would like to share cooperative, courageous, dependable, never gave in. Under these or similar circum- some of her thoughts on the topic. determined, fair-minded, forward-looking, stances, what would you have done? Would The definition of leadership has evolved honest, imaginative, independent, inspiring, you have given in? Abraham Lincoln was over the centuries. It used to be a common intelligent, loyal, mature, self-controlled, elected President of the United States in 1860. belief that a leader was born that way – the straightforward, supportive. “Great Man” theory. But in the 1900s, a new These are the characteristics I see in each his is the same determination I have definition of leadership began to evolve, of you as leaders of Oklahoma Farm Bureau. seen in many of our Farm Bureau associated with the following list of traits When people look at these characteristics T leaders for years. Many of you reading and qualities: they rank the three highest as honest, this column were already involved as Inspirational charisma; concentration of forward-looking, competent. There is one leaders of Farm Bureau when I became a achieving goals, results, learning, flexibility; other characteristic which is found in almost member 36 years ago. You are of the world-mindedness; sense of humor; coalition every successful farmer and rancher in this individuals Winston Churchill spoke of. You building; scheme of priorities; country, the instinct to never give up. have the determination to take the lead and motivation/morale building; competence and see a project through to its completion. It’s credibility, stamina, energy, tenacity, courage; well-known world leader on Oct. 29, that attitude that makes Oklahoma Farm transformational character/integrity, honesty, 1941, gave one of the world’s most Bureau what it is today, whether it is policy morality; reasonableness; risk- taking; A influential speeches ever, as well as development, policy execution, member understanding power; ability to persuade; one of the shortest. Many of you know services, communications, safety, or intelligence; and sense of direction. who I’m talking about, Prime Minister Winston protecting the assets of our members, as a Through the years there have been many Churchill. He stood before a group of students group of leaders, be it our members or our individuals study leadership, but most would at Harrow School and made this statement: employees, we all vow to never, ever, ever, agree that leadership reflects four main ”Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, give ever, ever, ever, ever give in, never give in, themes: 1. Getting things done. 2. Building in, never give in, never give in, never give in.” never give in. relationships. 3. Creating a “Can Do” Then he sat down. Though this characteristic Be proud of your leadership talents and environment. 4. Teaching leadership to of a leader was not mentioned by the average exercise those abilities every chance you get. anyone with a desire to learn. When we person earlier, it seems to be a common Your involvement makes a difference. speak of getting things done, think of that characteristic of most agriculture leaders. intangible quality exhibited by a person who What are the chances that a person with encourages and influences people to take the following track record could become an

2 • Oklahoma Country • Spring 2009

CountryKitchen

SWEET AND SOUR BEEF LO MEIN

• 1 pound Certified Angus Beef top round steak, cut into small strips Spring 2009 (1/4 x 1/4 x 1 inch) Volume 61 No. 2 • 2/3 cup chopped green pepper Oklahoma Country (ISSN 1544-6476) • 1/4 cup soy sauce • 2 10-ounce jars prepared sweet and sour sauce Published four times per year in April, July, October and January by Oklahoma Farm Bureau, • 1 8-ounce can pineapple chunks with juice 2501 N. Stiles, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3126, • 12 ounces egg noodles or Telephone 405-523-2300. Periodicals postage paid at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Chinese-style, thin egg and Additional Mailing Offices. noodles Postmaster: Send address corrections to: OKLAHOMA COUNTRY, P.O.B. 53332, Oklahoma City, OK • 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, 73152-3332. sliced • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, EDITORIAL TEAM Mike Nichols toasted OKLAHOMA COUNTRY Editor and Senior Writer • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red Sam Knipp Vice President Corporate Communications / PR pepper Traci Morgan • 1 teaspoon sesame oil PERSPECTIVE / Online News Editor Dustin Mielke 1. Drain juice from pineapple and combine juice with soy sauce and Multi-media Producer/ Writer

crushed red pepper. Marinate beef strips in pineapple mixture in DIRECT YOUR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES TO: refrigerator 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Discard marinade. OKLAHOMA COUNTRY 2. Prepare noodles according to package directions. Set aside. Attn: Mike Nichols 2501 N. Stiles 3. Heat sesame oil in large, nonstick skillet; brown beef over medium-high Oklahoma City, OK 73105 heat for 2 minutes. Add pepper and mushrooms; sauté 3 to 5 minutes. 405-523-2300, Ext. 2345 Add noodles and pineapple. ADVERTISING POLICY 4. Stir in sweet and sour sauce and sesame seeds. Heat 2 to 3 minutes until All advertising is subject to publisher’s approval. hot throughout, stirring constantly; do not boil. Top with green onions. Advertisers assume all liability for content of their advertising. Publisher maintains right to Serve immediately. cancel advertising. Publisher does not guarantee advertiser service or products, and assumes no liability for products or services advertised.

QUICK PORK FAJITAS Serves 4 TO SUBSCRIBE • 1 pork tenderloin, about a pound, thinly sliced OKLAHOMA COUNTRY subscription rate is • 2-3 tablespoons fajita $1 per year for members as part of the dues, $15 for non-members. seasoning or marinade • 1/2 onion, sliced WEB SITE • 1/2 green pepper, sliced www.okfarmbureau.org

• 4-6 flour tortillas, warmed OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU DIRECTORS In a shallow bowl, toss pork Mike Spradling, President Bob Drake, Vice President pieces with fajita seasoning. Tom Buchanan, Treasurer In large non-stick skillet over Roland Pederson, Secretary medium-high heat, stir-fry Ervin Mitchell, Director Donna VonTungeln, Director pork pieces with onion and green pepper until all is just tender. Wrap portions , Director in flour tortillas with salsa. Charles Sloan, Director Placing pork tenderloin in freezer for about 20 minutes makes slicing easier. Billy Gibson, Director Phyllis Holcomb, Director Matt Wilson, Executive Director

4 • Oklahoma Country • Spring 2009

CountryGardening

BY JOE BENTON Extension Education, Ag & CED Pottawatomie County OSU Extension Service

Shrubs fill many important landscaping roles

hrubs serve an important role in the year, or choose plants that provide other three inches away from the main stem. Mulch landscaping. They can be used as ornamental traits during hot weather and piled against the plant may create favorable S hedge borders, focal points, along the into the fall such as colorful bark, fall foliage conditions for fungal cankers, root rots, insects foundation of a home to “tie” it to the or fruit. and rodents. ground by softening strong architectural The first two or three years are the most lines, and to fill large areas. Shrubs screen important periods in the establishment of FERTILIZATION and separate private areas, create garden newly planted shrubs. Good cultural practices It is generally not necessary to fertilize rooms and absorb noise. Many are during this period help reduce transplant newly planted shrubs with nitrogen. Apply evergreen, providing a backbone for the stress and create a favorable environment for phosphorous and potassium according to a soil winter landscape. shrub growth. sample. If the shrubs are growing poorly two to Unlike annual flowers, or even some three years after planting, fertilization may be herbaceous perennials, shrubs are usually WATERING beneficial, according to soil sample test planted with permanence in mind. As such, it The key to watering newly planted shrubs results. Poorly growing shrubs often exhibit is important to carefully select plants to is to check the moisture status of the plant’s sparse foliage, yellow-green leaves or short ensure long-term success. It is important to root-ball or root-mass. The roots of newly annual twig growth. consider the plant’s adaptability to the planted shrubs are initially confined to the proposed planting site, as well as its mature plant’s root-ball (balled and burlapped trees) PRUNING size. For best results, choose a plant that is or root-mass (container-grown plants). Newly Shrubs utilize sugars and other best adapted to the climatic zone or region planted shrubs should be watered when the carbohydrates manufactured by the foliage for and will fit in the space designated for root-ball or root-mass (not the surrounding plant growth. Therefore, avoid the temptation planting, even after it reaches full size. soil) begins to dry out. Frequently check the to severely prune newly planted shrubs. When selecting shrubs for the landscape, it moisture status of the root-ball or root-mass as Severe pruning reduces the plant’s ability to is also important to consider each plant’s it can dry out quickly. To water the root-ball or manufacture food and actually slows plant ornamental characteristics. Consider plant root-mass, slowly apply water to the base of growth. Newly planted shrubs require only height, width and shape; foliage color and the shrub. The frequency of watering can be corrective pruning. Remove structural defects, texture, including fall color; bark attributes; reduced and the watering area enlarged as diseased, dead, broken or crossing branches. and flowering and fruiting habits, to obtain the root system begins to grow into the One of the important parts of shrub long- the right shrub for your landscape design. surrounding soil. Newly planted shrubs should term health is putting the right plant at the Many shrubs are planted for their showy be watered for at least two to three growing right location. I am often asked to identify floral displays. You can develop a long season seasons and during drought thereafter. plants that can grow in the shade, full sun, of bloom by planting various types of shrubs. attract wildlife, have fall color, can tolerate The time any shrub remains in bloom varies MULCHING wet and/or dry conditions. This can be a from a few days to a few months; however, the To help conserve moisture, place two to daunting decision for a homeowner. time of year a shrub blooms remains the same four inches of mulch, such as wood chips or A new Extension Fact Sheet, HLA-6439, year after year. Use a variety of shrubs that shredded bark, around shrubs. Mulches also “Selecting Shrubs for the Landscape,” can be bloom in sequence to develop a planting with help control weeds, moderate soil obtained at your local OSU Extension Office. a long blooming period. Most landscapes have temperatures, and reduce the risk of This fact sheet has an extensive list of over lots of flowers in spring, with few in summer mechanical damage from errant lawnmowers 350 plants that can be planted in these or fall. Prolong the ornamental season and string-trimmers. situations and other spots specific to through careful shrub selection. Choose When mulching shrubs, do not place mulch their needs. shrubs known to bloom at alternate times of against the shrub. Keep the mulch at least See you next time!

6 • Oklahoma Country • Spring 2009 Oklahoma Country • Spring 2009 • 7 When the Oklahoma Legislature opened its 52nd session school when he served as a page in the Oklahoma Legislature. in February, three more chairs in the House of Representatives were “I said, some day I’d like to serve.” occupied by Farm Bureau members. He has prepared for his new job since serving as a page. He was “It is nice to have Farm Bureau leaders elected to the Oklahoma active in student organizations while earning his bachelor’s degree at Legislature because they bring an understanding of agricultural Oklahoma State University, where he returned in 2007 to work on his issues and what’s important to rural Oklahoma to the legislature,” said master’s degree. He was elected to and served on his local school board Lori Peterson, vice president of Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Public Policy for 14 years, has served on the county Farm Bureau board about five Division. years, and has been a leader and member of the county and state As a steward of Farm Bureau’s interests at the state capitol, she is Cattlemen’s Association. understandably pleased that former OFB President Steve Kouplen, “I used all that as a building block for running, and it was all very Osage County Director Eddie Fields and Grady County member Leslie helpful,” he said. “I worked smarter than I did two years ago. My name Osborn now have the title of State Representative before their names. recognition was better this time, and more people knew me.” They are three of the members of the current class of 17 freshmen in Fields did his campaigning by going door-to-door in his district, the state House. With their election, the 101-member House now has a attending town hall meetings, riding in numerous parades and one-in-four Farm Bureau member ratio. The three also will serve in the attending fundraisers. He based his campaign on how he could best first Legislature where the majority party in both salons is not the represent the people of the district at the capitol and help to move the Democrats. state forward in a positive manner. “I just want the legislature to do its job and work together,” said He and his wife, Christina, a fourth grade teacher at Cleveland Kouplen, a Democrat who is the new representative for District 24. “I’ll Public Schools, have three daughters, Tailor, Jacie and Tristan. work with anybody and everybody to get something done.” “The girls helped me campaign. Without their support I wouldn’t be “I feel we all need to be here to work for Oklahoma,” said Mrs. here today. They’re sacrificing for me to be here.” His wife was Obsorn, a Republican who is the new representative for District 47. “We accustomed to political life since her father was a county commissioner, don’t need to worry about who gets power.” and Fields says “she kind of knows” what to expect. The new representative from Osage County is a third generation “I want to do what any good steward would do,” said Fields, a rancher, coming to the area when he was just an infant. Fields Ranch Republican who is the new representative for District 38. “I’m seeking maintains a herd of Angus and Hereford cows. the betterment of our state and the people I represent.” “Farmers and ranchers would be better off with less government,” Kouplen and Osborn were first time candidates, filling seats vacated Fields asserted while admitting there are needs in his district and the by incumbents. Fields won his seat on try number two, defeating the state that must be addressed. incumbent who beat him by less than 500 votes in 2006 in the 2008 The majority of the district is Osage County with a bit of northern election by a 59 to 41 percent edge. Tulsa County added to the mix. Most residents of the district rely “I thought I’d give it one more try,” said Fields, who hails from heavily on farming and ranching and the oil and gas industry for their Wynona. “Congressman Lucas. . .told me it took him three times to win.” livelihoods. Fields said a Wal-Mart, a correctional facility and the Osage Fields contracted the “political bug” during his senior year in high Tribe are the biggest non-agricultural employers in the district. Farm Bureau’s in the

Trio of members takes State Representative seats By Mike Nichols 8 • Oklahoma Country • Spring 2009 “We don’t have a lot of manufacturing opportunities. . .I would like to Transportation and Wildlife Committees. bring job opportunities and give residents a place to work were they Fields believes water will be a big issue for legislators this session. don’t have to drive so far.” “We need to meet our needs first, take care of our own first,” he The job opportunities issue was a major concern constituents declared, referring to proposals to sell Oklahoma water to other states. expressed to Fields during his campaign. Since taking office, he has Fields also said he has found that rural water districts in Oklahoma may met with city and county officials, Chambers of Commerce, school need to be expanded, citing examples from his district where boards and constituents still superintendents, and must haul water for the jobs issue also was their homes and on their minds. livestock. “I want to help “There are a lot of create a better quality needs that we (the of life and attract legislature) need to businesses so people address. We’ve got a can stay and raise lot of good things to their families,” Fields offer (in Oklahoma). said. “We need to attract our young people to Eddie Fields, an Osage County Farm But we need to improve and get the most bang stay here. They’re our legacy. We need to take for the buck for our taxpayers. care of them.” Bureau director who is a rancher from “It is a privilege and honor to serve the He pre-filed 14 bills, addressing topics such Wynona, unseated the incumbent to take people of District 36. You always need to give as education, economic development, the district 36 State Representative something back, and being a public servant is agriculture and natural resources, wildlife and one of those avenues. I’m trying to give back. workers compensation. He serves on the House office in the 2008 election. He’s pictured At the end of the day, I want to lay my head Agriculture and Natural Resources, Education, here in his capitol office. down and say I gave 110 percent,” Fields said.

Oklahoma Country • Spring 2009 • 9 In a somewhat ironic turn of events, Kouplen follows Dale Turner in wound up never teaching.” Between the time he earned his bachelor the District 24 seat, which encompasses a small portion of Creek and master degrees, Okmulgee County Farm Bureau’s Russell Miller County and all of Hughes, Okfuskee and Okmulgee counties. Kouplen convinced Kouplen to accompany him to a county meeting. did his student teaching under Turner just before graduating in 1973 That meeting was the kickoff of a Farm Bureau career. Kouplen was from Oklahoma State University with his bachelor’s degree in ag elected to the county board in the ’70s, and served continuously with education. more than a decade “Who would have as county president known. . .that I would before being elected have followed him?” to the OFB state Kouplen grew up in board as the district Okmulgee County at nine director in 1992. Beggs on his family’s His peers on the farm and ranch. He OFB board elected had planned to teach Kouplen as secretary, following graduation treasurer and vice from OSU, but his son was hospitalized for an Former Oklahoma Farm Bureau president during his service. He sought the extensive period. President Steve Kouplen now serves as OFB president’s office and won it for the first “I spent so much time at the hospital, so I time Nov. 14, 1999. Kouplen served in that started some farming along with the ranch.” State Representative for district 24, capacity through 2007 when he became the With an unkind farm economy, he returned to winning the seat in the 2008 primary organization’s first president to leave office OSU to get his master’s degree and fully election. Kouplen has a ranch and farm because of term limits. intended to pursue a teaching career. As president of Farm Bureau, he traveled However, by the time he finished his masters near Beggs in Okmulgee County. He’s extensively both domestically and worldwide in 1982 the farm economy had improved and “I pictured here in his capitol office. to promote agriculture. He also was routinely

10 • Oklahoma Country • Spring 2009 involved in dealings with state lawmakers during his tenure. as well as the state budget process since revenues have declined. “Farm Bureau is really what awakened the political instinct in me “Things will not be so tough this year, but next year I think they’ll be because I got to go lobby and got involved with governmental issues. It tougher,” Kouplen said referring to the budget issue. “I think a was intriguing to me.” conservative approach is needed on spending.” It was intriguing enough that he considered a run for a state senate He continues today to operate a commercial Hereford cow-calf herd seat while he was still OFB president. started by his parents. In addition, he also grows wheat and grass hay. “I had really thought about it. But, if I had ran for the senate I’d have Kouplen’s son and daughter-in-law, Sean and Angela, and their two to resign as Farm Bureau president and I wanted to be the first daughters, Emery and Kennedy, reside in Bixby. His son-in-law and president to term limit out.” daughter, Richard and Shanna Gomez, and their daughter, Sydni, and While he was in his last few weeks as Farm Bureau president, son, Blake, reside in Beggs. Kouplen’s wife, Anita, died unexpected. “I enjoy working with people. When it’s not fun anymore, I’ll do some- “I needed something to keep me busy. I realized Dale was terming thing else,” Kouplen answered when asked about his future in politics. out, and I thought I’ll run,” he remembers. His candidacy for state office was a much different process than “One of the first things I’ve learned,” says Mrs. Osborn with a he’d experienced in Farm Bureau. smile, “was that I needed a bigger calendar. I’ve just learned to juggle “In Farm Bureau, all county leaders are listed in a directory, so my schedule.” they’re easy to identify. It wasn’t that easy in the representative race She grew up in Indiana on her parents’ Hereford ranch, where her because on that level you didn’t know who the movers and shakers father was president of the Indiana Hereford Association. When she were. You had to head out and start sailing, meet people and get to graduated from high school, her parents decided to move to Texas and know them.” dropped her off at Oklahoma State University on the way. Kouplen was successful in building a network of people to work in She graduated there with a degree in business administration, and his campaign, which pitted him against the Hughes County assessor in met and married her husband, Tim, during her senior year on campus. the Democratic primary. It was winner take all, since no Republican The couple settled in the Tuttle area where Tim’s family had been in filed for the office. agriculture for generations. “It wasn’t a me campaign, it was a we campaign. I was happy to win.” The couple now owns and operates a large farm and ranch in Grady Kouplen carried Okfuskee and Okmulgee counties by overwhelming County, with wheat, cotton and alfalfa plus a commercial cow herd. margins, but lost in Hughes County by just a few more than 300 votes. “Diversification is our key,” said Mrs. Osborn, who also owns and “We did really well,” he said, looking back at the election that saw operates Osburn Pickup Accessories, which markets grill guards and him win with 57 percent of the popular vote. tool boxes. “In the legislature, the perception of how things are and reality “We’re losing our rural voice. I have a love for the land. There are don’t always sync,” said Kouplen. “In government, there’s lot of just so many from the metro areas that don’t understand agriculture.” tradition and it is not always fruitful. A lot of the time is not utilized to It was that thought that pushed her into the political arena. She’d its fullest extent.” always been interested in politics, and was active in student The freshman lawmaker, who serves on the House Agriculture and government while at OSU. But the closest she’d ever been off-campus Rural Development, General Government and Transportation and was several years of service on the Grady County FSA. Energy and Utility Regulation Committees, pre-filed eight bills dealing District 47 incumbent Susan Winchester decided not to seek re- with issues important to him and many constituents. election, and a few days after that announcement Mrs. Osborn was One bill he hopes to see enacted would make the money youngsters convinced to seek the office. receive in livestock premium sales be classified as scholarships rather She hired a consultant to take care of mailings, and then she started than income for tax purposes. Another he submitted would amend the knocking on doors in the district which covers Grady and Canadian Ag Link laws to allow veterinarians to access the funds if they do a counties including all of Chickasha, all of Tuttle and Amber, about 75 certain percentage of their practice on large animals. percent of Mustang and half of Pocasset. “Large animal vets are quickly disappearing, even in some rural “I wanted to go knock on doors and meet the people. I knocked on areas. We need more vets for large animals,” said Kouplen. every door in the district, every Democrat and every Republican. . .It According to the American Veterinary Medical Association there will was more work than I thought it would be. It takes an incredible be a 13 percent increase in demand for veterinarians involved in the amount of time to knock on every door. It was six days a week eight food supply chain by 2016. However, there is a 4 to 5 percent shortage hours a day.” in the number of people willing to take those jobs. Only about 10 She even had a debate during the Republican primary, and a major percent of all veterinary school graduates are choosing to work with televised debate in Chickasha with her Democratic opponent prior to livestock. the general election. Two of the other bills Kouplen pre-filed deal with inequities in the “It boiled down to mainly rural versus urban,” Mrs. Osborn retirement programs for teachers and state workers plus another to remembered. “I count myself fortunate to get in the first time.” help rural firefighters by increasing funds for operations. She won both the primary and general elections, taking 67 percent He also said he believes water will be a big issue during this session of the vote in each. Oklahoma Country • Spring 2009 • 11 She hopes to keep all legislation “farm and ranch friendly” and is firmly introduce a resolution regarding the initiative on education funding opposed to the consolidation of smaller schools. She, too, sees the state that voters will likely see on their 2010 ballots. water plan as a major issue facing lawmakers as well as the state budget. Passage of that state question would send about 85 percent of the “Oklahoma will probably see five percent across the board cuts in state’s total budget to education, leaving just about 15 percent for state spending this year, and that’s really not too bad. There already are everything else. lots of cries to use the rainy day fund, but I would prefer to get by for a “I don’t,” Mrs. Osborn said, “believe that would be workable.” year without using it. I believe Oklahoma can make it through this year Looking at the first few months of her life in politics, she said that by being conservative.” she’s “thoroughly Mrs. Osborn enjoying it. I’m requested and was learning a lot, but granted assignment to there’s really nothing the Agriculture and unexpected.” Rural Development Her husband has Committee. She’s also been “very on the Natural supportive” of her Resources and decision to enter Regulatory Services politics. The Committee as well as the Public Safety and the Leslie Osborn, a Grady County Farm couple’s two children, Will, a sophomore at Government Modernization Committees. Bureau member from Tuttle, won her Oklahoma State University, and Katie, a “We will always be energy and agriculture in senior at Amber-Pocasset, backed their Oklahoma. I think we should drill, but we have first-ever race in the political area, mother’s decision, too. to focus on other sources. We’ve got to focus on taking the district 47 State “By the time you get in, it’s almost time to alternative energy. It will help our economy and Representative seat in the 2008 general start thinking about the next election,” Mrs. America.” Osborn said with a smile. “I have no other She also is looking to eliminate mandates on election. She’s pictured here in her political aspirations, but I’d like to serve more general revenue spending, and hopes to capitol office. than one term.”

12 • Oklahoma Country • Spring 2009