SPRING 2009 THE MAGAZINE OF THE OKLAHOMA 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 8 Features 8 – Farm Bureau’s in the House When the Oklahoma Legislature 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 Eddie Fields, 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.