Abundant production in 2017 coupled with good demand has kept Oklahoma farmers and ranchers in the economic game. As we look ahead to 2018, economic analysts expect more of the same economic fundamentals with hints of optimistic gains.
AFR Today
During the recent AFR Leadership Summit, youth participants worked on service projects that benefitted children less fortunate than themselves.
If you do have to get out on icy and snowy roads, it’s important to be prepared. Here are some things to consider before winter arrives.
According to the United States Department of Labor, twenty-two million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise at work each year. Many of these workers are farmers and ranchers. We interviewed Dr. Wayne Staab, Ph.D., an internationally recognized authority in hearing aids and consults on issues related to hearing protection.
Hurricane disaster relief funds, federal trucking regulations and the farm bill were hot topics for AFR leaders during a four-day lobbying trip to Washington, D.C., Sept. 10-13.
The AFR LEAD program has been very busy launching new programs for members and hosting activities across the state. The newest LEADership component for you to get involved with is the LEAD Academy.
The storms of May 17th that devastated parts of Elk City were reminders that preparation is so very important. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those that were impacted be this storm.
Fortunately, for the majority of Oklahomans, we will never have to work through losing everything in a storm. At some point, we may have hail damage to our homes, autos, outbuildings or equipment. After something like this, what should you do?
Joel Heinzeroth always knew he wanted to farm. He also wanted to serve his country. After a 20-year career in the Army, Heinzeroth is retiring this summer at the rank of Major and will work full time on his farm and ranch near Mountain Park in southwest Oklahoma.
His “second” career as a farmer and rancher is made possible by assistance from the Famer Veteran Coalition.
American Farmers & Ranchers continued their legacy of strong support for the Oklahoma FFA this year as a Diamond level title sponsor of the Oklahoma FFA convention.
Storm debris littered the streets in all directions from Gary Paxson’s neighborhood on the southern edge of Elk City known as Fairway Estates Addition or the Golf Course. Paxson was stunned when he came out of his neighbor’s storm shelter and saw his house was destroyed by the May 16 tornado.
The AFR Women’s Cooperative has started an on-line registry at Amazon to collect items for the family of Caitlin Phibbs and Jacob Vandorn, who lost everything in the northwest Oklahoma wildfires this spring.
As many of you know the 2017 Initiative for the Women’s Cooperative (WC) is the “Wanted” Blood Drives in partnership with the Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI). The WC state council has challenged local and county AFR members to get a donor from every county to a blood drive throughout 2017.
This is the question many ask when it comes to immigrants attempting to enter our country to work. At this point, it is important we acknowledge that under our current immigration laws, it is simpler to come here illegally than legally. We need immigrants to fill labor shortages, and immigrants want work.
Oklahoma fire departments that helped fight the early March wildfires in northwest Oklahoma were rewarded for their efforts May 20th when AFR Insurance presented $1,500 checks to each department involved.
When our policyholders file claims for roof damages done by wind or hail, we frequently receive a number of questions about how they can safeguard themselves when selecting someone to do the repair work. Here are a few guidelines that are commonly recognized as good practices to accomplish that.
The American Farmers & Ranchers Youth Advisory Council was started more than 30 years ago and has produced numerous outstanding young leaders.
The youth advisory council members for 2015-2016 are Ashley Tucker, Grant Wilber, Guess Leonard, Macee Hammack, and Madi Baughman.
Ever since civilization began, people have seen mutual benefit in working together to achieve a common goal. In discussing the history of cooperatives it is difficult to distinguish between the concept of cooperation — combining efforts for a common goal — from that of forming a user-owned business.
U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), addressed a group of AFR leaders meeting at BancFirst in Marlow, May 31. The event was hosted by Becky and Mike Graham, Marlow.
The small community of Medicine Park, at the edge of the Wichita Mountains in southwest Oklahoma, came alive with the roar of Harley Davidson, Honda and Kawasaki motorcycles, June 11, as the AFR Southwest District LEAD committee sponsored a Poker Run and Red Dirt concert. The event was in support of State Question 777, Oklahoma’s Right to Farm.
The Toby Keith Foundation has been helping children with cancer since 2006 and continues its services through partnerships with hospitals, caregivers, foundations and civic groups.
Jett owns KC Farms, a family farm and ranch southwest of Slapout. KC Farms is a diversified farm and ranch with irrigated and dryland wheat, forage crops and grass. They also have a commercial cow herd. His long term dedication to conservation was recognized this year by the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts as he was inducted into the OACD Hall of Fame.