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At the convention in February the delegates will consider certain proposed changes to the Articles and Bylaws of the Cooperative and Mutual.  Below is a document which provides the current proposed language and an explanation of the basis for the proposals.  We hope this information is of assistance to the delegate as they prepare for convention.  We also appreciate the excellent work of the Bylaws Committee that lead to these proposals.

AFR is an advertiser in Oklahoma Agriculture Magazine, a guide to Oklahoma’s farms, forests and food. This magazine is published in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and features stories about the state’s top crops, livestock, agribusiness, tourism and local products.

All District Contest registrations will begin at 4:00 p.m. and the contest briefing will begin at 4:30 p.m. Judges and speakers will then disperse to assigned classrooms for competition. Immediately following competition, a meal will be served. Awards, special recognition and final comments will conclude the contest.

During the 2013 session, 426 bills passed both houses of the Oklahoma Legislature and were either signed or vetoed by Governor Fallin.

Fifteen Oklahoma agriculture organizations have signed a litter of support for the House version of the 2013 farm bill. The groups sent the letter to House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas last week.

The letter specifically supports the safety net provisions and the voluntary conservation programs written into the bill, H.R. 1947.

The letter's signers also said the believe passage of the current fam bill would give them some measure of certainty so that they could make long-range business decisions.

The bill is expected to be voted on this week, and may come up for consideration as early as Wednesday.

To address the so-called "fiscal cliff," Congress passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act January 1, 2013. The new legislation is a combination of mandatory tax increases and government spending cuts and includes a modification of the estate tax and a short-term extension of most programs in the recently-expired 2008 Farm Bill.

In response to the passage of a short-term farm bill extension, AFR President Terry Detrick stated:

OKLAHOMA CITY-American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) continued its support of Oklahoma youth through the annual Tulsa Farm Show Livestock Handling Skills Competition Dec. 7, 2012. The competition showcased the skills of young 4-H and FFA members in practical, real-life cattle handling scenarios such as weighing for accurate dosage, vaccinating, and tagging calves in a hydraulic chute.

OKLAHOMA CITY-The American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) 2012 Policy Committee convened in Oklahoma City Dec. 6 to discuss proposed changes and additions to the organization's policy.

Committee members play an integral role in policy development. Policies formed, altered or approved during the committee meetings and then adopted by member delegates during the 2013 AFR State Convention Feb. 22-23 will govern AFR legislative efforts through the next year.

OKLAHOMA CITY-The American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) 2012 Bylaws Committee convened in Oklahoma City Dec. 5 to discuss proposed changes to the organization's bylaws.

Topics deemed appropriate for vote will be brought before delegates at the 2013 AFR State Convention. The upcoming convention will be held in Norman Feb. 22-23.

OKLAHOMA CITY - American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) concluded its 68th annual AFR Fall Speech Contest series with the state competition in Stillwater, Dec. 1. More than 150 finalists from across Oklahoma showcased their public speaking skills for a chance to win at the state level.