News

OKLAHOMA CITY-American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) wrapped up the 68th annual AFR Fall Speech Contest series this week. Each year, the fall contest series gives more than 500 Oklahoma youth from across the state an opportunity to display their public speaking and leadership skills.

American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) is gearing up for the organization’s 68th annual fall speech contest. Competitors in this year's contest will write speeches based on the theme “I Believe in Oklahoma Agriculture.”
AFR and its sister organization, Oklahoma Farmers Union, continue to provide the youth of Oklahoma varied opportunities to develop into the leaders of tomorrow. Every year, more than 500 young Oklahomans compete in the fall speech contest.

On Oct. 1, a new federal law easing the regulatory burden on agriculture producers transporting supplies and commodities took effect. American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) was instrumental in the beginning stages of the legislation and has continued to support the Oklahoma congressional delegation that introduced and sponsored the bills.

What is the Farm Bill?

The farm bill is an extensive, omnibus piece of legislation that is reauthorized roughly every five years. The term “farm bill” is really a misnomer. Although the legislation does contain a number of provisions that are critical to family farmers’ and ranchers’ economic success, more than 75 percent of the bill’s funding is allocated for nutrition programs, both in the United States and abroad.

Legislative Fly-in, September 2012

AFR board of directors, representatives and staff recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for the passage of the 2012 Farm Bill and other key issues to the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation.

The 2012 American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) August Area Meeting series is proving to be very successful. So far, AFR representatives have visited three locations in the western part of the state - Elk City, Chickasha and Fairview. Attendance for these events is up 170% when compared to the first three meetings of 2011.

American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) announced its 2012-2013 Youth Advisory Council at the organization's annual Senior Leadership Summit Banquet Aug. 1.

The Council consists of high school juniors and seniors from across the state. Members of the 2012-2013 Council are Taylor Green, Wellston; Gatlin Squires, Kingfisher; Whitney Wilkinson, Cement; Desiree Masterson, Spiro; and Chance Imhoff, Prague.

AFR Insurance in cooperation with the OKC RedHawks recently put on a Baseball Camp for kids between the ages of 6 and 14.

This was used by AFR Insurance Agents across the state to reward their customers or just to help support and build relationships with the local little league teams.

Players and coaches from the RedHawks showed the kids tips on how to hit, field, pitch, and run the bases on a Friday morning followed by lunch.

146 campers from across Oklahoma enjoyed the camp on July 27, 2012.
 

In a July 23 letter to congressional leaders, Oklahoma's agriculture groups congratulated U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., and Ranking Member Collin Peterson, D-Minn., on the success in passing the FARRM Act through the committee with a strong bipartisan vote.

In the letter, sent to Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the farm groups praised the Agriculture Committee's legislation for providing a balanced safety net for all commodities and regions.

The 2012 Farm Bill is making its way through Congress, with both the Senate and House of Representatives establishing separate and distinct versions.

Below are links to the full text and summaries of both versions. For the latest status update on this important legislation, check AFR's Facebook page. Please contact us at legislation@afrmic.com or (405)218-5563 for further information.