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Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010 • 25
All Around
Oklahoma
Tornado time is here for Oklahoma
O
klahoma is the most tornado-prone area
in the world.
The state’s dubious distinction is not
only in terms of the number of tornadoes, but
also in terms of intensity.
The risk is high. The National Weather
Service (NWS) reports an average of 54
tornadoes each year in Oklahoma since 1950.
“May typically is the peak of tornado
season in Oklahoma, with nearly 40 percent of
each year’s average tornado total,” says Justin
Grego, Oklahoma Farm Bureau safety director.
The Oklahoma season began March 8 this
year, when a tornado destroyed five homes and
damaged several others in Hammon. The
storm hit the Roger Mills County community
at about 6 p.m. when a low-pressure system
pushed a strong storm system out of the
Rockies.
NWS reported that above-normal winter
precipitation coupled with the jet stream
hovering over the Southern Plains could
produce an active storm season this spring.
“I even read where one NWS meteorologist
26 • Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010
said if weather conditions like those that
caused the Hammon tornado are still around
when it gets warmer that it could be a
ferocious storm season,” said Grego.
About three-fourths of all tornadoes
reported in Oklahoma occur during the
months of April, May and June, with about 80
percent of the tornadoes observed between
noon and midnight.
“That’s why,” said Grego, “Oklahoma
families need to develop a safety plan for
home, work, school and outdoors.”
He said families should develop and
practice a tornado plan so everyone will know
where to take shelter.
“When a tornado occurs,” said Grego,
“there’s not time to develop a plan.”
Families are advised to practice a tornado
drill at least once a year so everyone knows
the safest location to be while at home.
Grego also reminded those with storm
shelters to register the location of their shelter
with emergency officials like the local fire
department and county emergency
Oklahoma is the heart of the most tornado-prone area in the
world. The first tornado of 2010 hit the community of
Hammon in Roger Mills County March 8. May typically is the
peak of the tornado season in Oklahoma, however.
management coordinator.
“When shelters are located inside your
home, emergency officials don’t know you’re
there. You can survive the storm, but getting
out of your shelter could be extremely difficult
without help.
“And if no one knows the shelter is there,
you could be trapped for some time before you
are discovered or can free yourself.”
He also advised everyone to be aware of the
watches and warnings issued by the NWS
during storm season.
A tornado watch means families should be
ready to take shelter if conditions merit.
“But when a warning is issued,” Grego said,
“they should take shelter immediately.
He said the Oklahoma broadcast media
does an excellent job of reporting the watches
and warnings issued by the NWS.
“Residents in Hammon were warned in
advance by storm spotters, the local fire department and Oklahoma City broadcast media,”
said Grego. “I think the news reported they
were warned 15 minutes before the tornado
hit. That was ample time to take shelter.”
He also said it is a good idea for families to
purchase a National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Weather Radio. Those radios
are available for less than $100 in many stores.
Properly programmed, the radio will sound an
alert issued by the NWS when a severe storm is
approaching your area.
Once a storm is over, you and your family’s
personal health is the first priority. After family
members have been accounted for, it’s
important to assess your personal property
for damages.
Home and property owners need to
document their property in case of a loss. An
inventory should be taken with either
accompanying photos or video, and stored in a
location like a safe deposit box.
If those insured by Farm Bureau experience
a storm loss, they should contact their agent to
get the claims process underway. If the county
office is closed, members are urged to use the
toll free claims hotline. That number,
1-877-OFB-CLAIM, is operated 24 hours a day,
seven days per week.
OFB conference features lawmakers, business leaders
O
klahoma Farm Bureau members
attending the organization’s annual
Leadership Conference Feb. 15-16 in
Oklahoma City heard from a plethora of
speakers including state and federal
lawmakers, business leaders and the president
of the nation’s largest farm organization.
More than 200 leaders from across the state
attended the two-day conference.
The opening day session speaker was Fred
Morgan, the new president and CEO of the
State Chamber of Commerce. The former state
lawmaker outlined the Chamber’s legislative
agenda, saying it was focused on worker’s
comp reform, health care, the environment
and endangered species, water, energy, and
education.
Morgan also expressed concerns about the
state’s budget, noting that a large decrease is
in the offing and that there “will be some pain.”
However, he said that “I’m optimistic about
Oklahoma’s future,” noting that the state’s
economy is “resilient” and will recover.
Rep. Leslie Osborn lead a panel on State
Question 744, which sets a minimum average
amount the state must spend annually on
common schools.
SQ 744 requires the state to spend annually,
no less than the average amount spent on
each student by the surrounding states. Those
surrounding states are Missouri, Texas,
Kansas, Arkansas, Colorado and New Mexico.
When the average amount spent by
surrounding states declines, Oklahoma must
spend the amount it spent the year before.
Osborn told the FB audience the question
is “one bad apple in the bucket” of nine state
questions, which will be on Oklahomans’
ballots this year.
She said raising
education spending
to the average would
be “absolutely
catastrophic to state
government. We’re
not talking about
chump change. We’re
talking about big
Fred Morgan
money.”
More than half of the state budget already
goes to education.
“There are other functions besides
education,” she declared. “There would have to
be agency cuts, minimum 20 percent cuts. It
could be half to all of some agency budgets.”
The lawmaker said the question would
necessitate 8,400 convicts being released from
prisons, the closing of at least eight prisons,
197 bridge projects not to be built or repaired,
the elimination of more than 250 state troopers
as well as faculty, staff and course offerings
eliminated at colleges plus an accompanying
33 percent increase intuition.
“The ripple effects are absolutely
unbelievable,” Osborn said.
With the state budget shortfall already more
than $1 billion, the first term lawmaker said
there would be only one way to pay for SQ 744
– tax increases.
“A 34 percent increase in state income taxes
would pay for it, or a sales tax increase of 38
percent,” she lamented.
“More money is not always the answer. This
is not bashing education. This is not the way to
do it. There is absolutely no stipulation on how
dollars are spent.”
Osborn and her panel members, Deputy
Director of the House Fiscal Division Mark
Tygret and Oklahomans for Responsible
Government’s Brian Downs, told the FB leaders
that to beat the big dollars the education lobby
would spend on the question would require
grassroot involvement.
OFB has policy in opposition to SQ 744 and
efforts to mandate specific funding levels for
education.
American Farm Bureau Federation
Rep. Leslie Osborn
Bob Stallman
President Bob Stallman, attending the
conference to present the Golden Plow Award
to Sen. Jim Inhofe, told the group Farm
Bureau “has a challenge on our hands.”
He said national lawmakers are looking at
climate change legislation and estate tax
issues.
“We’re being hit across the head by
challenges. If it’s not one thing, it’s another. For
us to find legislative solutions to these issues
requires help from everybody. If we hold our
ground,” said Stallman, “the pendulum will
swing because common sense will come back
into fashion.”
Stallman presented AFBF’s most prestigious
legislative award, the Golden Plow Award, to
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe in evening ceremonies
Feb. 15.
Each year AFBF honors one member of the
Senate and one member of the U.S. House with
the Golden Plow award. The award is based on
the lawmaker’s strong voting record for
agriculture and Farm Bureau issues. This year
Inhofe was the only lawmaker receiving the
award.
“I believe that American farmers are the
backbone of our nation. . .,” said Inhofe. “I am
deeply honored to receive the American Farm
Bureau Golden Plow Award, and will continue
to do all I can to fight for the American farmer
in Washington.”
Three Oklahoma lawmakers were
recognized as winners of OFB’s Meritorious
Service Award during the Feb. 15 evening
ceremonies.
Sen. Sean Burrage and Sen. Mike Shulz
along with Rep. Ann Coody were announced as
winners of the Meritorious Service Award.
Following breakfast
Feb. 16, a panel of
state agricultural
legislative leadership
gave its assessments
of state issues.
Sen. Ron Justice,
Senate Ag Committee
chairman, said
retaining agriculture’s
Scott Meachum
sales tax exemptions,
Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010 • 27
Three named
Meritorious Service
winners
roads and bridges,
programs which help
conservation and
the most people.
water issues were
000241166
critical issues. He also
State Treasurer
mentioned workers
Scott Meachum was
comp reform and
the last outside speaker
health care and
on the agenda, and
doctors in rural areas.
provided his assessHouse Natural
ment of the chaotic
Resources Chairman
state budget troubles.
Dale DeWitt said the
“It’s a pretty big
budget would be the
hole,” he said,
biggest issue
reporting that the
lawmakers face. He
latest figures showed
said he believed
a $1.2 billion shortfall.
lawmakers have an
Meachum said the
A panel of agriculture leaders from the Oklahoma Legislature
presented its views of current and future state issues during
agreement on the
state constitution
the Leadership Conference Feb. 16. Pictured, from left, are
2010 budget, but
requires all funding to
Sen. Ron Justice, Rep. Steve Kouplen, Rep. Don Armes and
predicted the 2011
be cut the same
Rep. Dale DeWitt.
budget would be
amount, which means
tougher.
allocations this year
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe formally received AFBF’s Golden Plow
Award from AFBF President Bob Stallman, right, as a part of
He also criticized
will decline about 7.5
the Feb. 15 Leadership Conference. OFB President Mike
SQ 744, saying it
percent.
Spradling, also is pictured.
would be detrimental
“This is just
to Oklahoma if it
another bump in the
passed and asked FB leaders to help spread
road for us. We’ll get through it. We believe this
the message about the issue.
economy will bounce back in the next six
House Ag Committee Chairman Don Armes
months better than the last six, and in the next
talked about a measure supporting a livestock
six months better than that.”
owner’s right to lawfully perform traditional
OFBMIC management updated the county
animal husbandry practices as well as equine
leaders on the recovery plan for the mutual
dentists, chiropractors and farriers at the
insurance company.
discretion of the livestock owner.
Underwriting losses primarily from storms
“This is a freedom bill,” said Armes, noting
in 2008 and 2009 as well as financial market
that it has been the most contentious measure
turmoil have impacted OFBMIC. In order to
he’s ever faced.
remain viable, the company is reducing the
House Ag Committee member Steve
number of policies and increasing premiums to
Kouplen, the former longtime OFB president,
adequate levels to achieve profitability.
told the group that he was enjoying “most” of
The plan includes reducing the number of
his first term in the legislature.
in-force homeowner policies by about 25
He said the state is going through some
percent, with automobile and fire policies
tough times.
being reduced by about 20 percent.
“Oklahoma unfortunately is beginning to
It was also announced that the agency force
feel the effects of that downturn. Real people
will broker policies through three companies,
are getting cut and it’s real people that are
National Lloyds, Progressive and Foremost.
hurting.”
Agents will be allowed to sell auto and
Kouplen said he was not happy with across- homeowners policies issued by those
the-board budget cuts, saying it’s lawmakers’
companies to members during the course of
responsibility to oversee cuts and not cut
the recovery plan.
T
hree state lawmakers were named
recipients of Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s
Meritorious Service Award during the
2010 OFB Leadership Conference in
Oklahoma City.
The names of Senators Sean Burrage and
Mike Schulz, and Representative Ann Coody
were added to the prestigious list of about 50
lawmakers honored by the program since it
was initiated in 1990. The honorees for the
2009 legislative session were announced during
a Feb. 15 banquet held in conjunction with the
Leadership Conference.
The Meritorious Service Award is designed
to honor members of the legislature or other
state elected officials whose philosophy or
record demonstrates their commitment to the
private enterprise system; sound agricultural
policies supported by Farm Bureau; and fiscal
conservatism and reduced government
regulation of agriculture, business and
individuals. The primary basis for selection is
the extent a lawmaker votes in agreement with
Farm Bureau policy on key issues.
The winners were selected by the state
board of directors after being nominated by
county Farm Bureaus.
Senator Burrage, a Claremore Democrat,
was nominated by Rogers and Tulsa County
Farm Bureaus. He was recognized for his
efforts in the areas of livestock regulation,
estate planning and private property rights.
The senator had a family commitment, and
was unable to attend the formal award
presentation.
The counties said the senator has been an
outstanding supporter of Farm Bureau
legislation, including his support for the
transfer on death warranty deed law. He also
was praised for his role as co-chairman of the
Rules Committee in 2007 when legislation was
assigned to that committee to improve trespass
law and clarify that animal waste is not
hazardous waste in Oklahoma.
“Without Senator Burrage’s strong
leadership those important pieces of
agricultural legislation would not be law in
Oklahoma,” said Tyler Norvell, director of state
affairs for OFB’s Public Policy Division.
Burrage, an attorney, was elected to his
district 2 senate seat in 2006. Mayes and
Rogers counties compose the district.
The senator and his wife, Carole, have two
sons, Truman and Carter. The family resides in
Claremore.
Senator Shulz, an Altus Republican, was
nominated by Jackson County Farm Bureau.
He was recognized for his efforts in the areas of
livestock regulation, tax policy, water law and
private property rights.
The county said the senator has a 100 percent
voting record on issues important to Farm
Bureau. He also was praised for his authorship
in 2009 of livestock preemption and trespass
legislation, and his service as co-chair of the
Rules Committee when it clarified that animal
waste is not hazardous waste in Oklahoma.
“Senator Shulz has become one of the go to
guys for agriculture issues in the Oklahoma
Senate,” said Norvell.
Shulz, a farmer, was elected to his district
38 seat in 2006. The district covers Beckham,
To catch an identity thief
I
f anyone has the right to complain about
identity theft, it’s Oklahoma resident
Angela Matthews.* In late 2003 she received
a call from an official in the fraud department
at a credit card company MNBNA America. The
official wanted to know if she had tried to make
a $500 purchase at a Wal-Mart 5 miles from her
office. “I responded to the representative that I
not only didn’t make that purchase, but I didn’t
even have one of their credit cards to make
such a purchase,” Matthews says. “I closed that
account years ago.”
The official from the fraud department
thanked Matthews and told her she would not
be responsible for any fraudulent charges of
more than $50 on the accounts. “And I said,
‘No, I won’t be responsible for any charges
because I don’t have an account with your
company,’” she says.
After that event, Matthews visited her local
police department. She told the desk sergeant
Rep. Ann Coody accepts her OFB Meritorious Service Award
from President Mike Spradling, right.
Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Greer, Harmon, Jackson
and Roger Mills counties.
The senator and his wife, Reenie, have two
children, Benjamin and Abby. The family
resides in Altus.
Representative Coody, a Lawton Republican,
was nominated by Comanche County Farm
Bureau. She was recognized for her efforts in
the areas of private property rights, rural
schools and education, and rural economic
development.
The county said the representative has a
100 percent voting record with Farm Bureau.
“She is a strong and consistent advocate for
rural Oklahoma,” said Norvell.
Coody, a retired educator, is the district 64
state representative. She is chair of the House
Common Education Committee. Her district
covers Comanche County.
She and her husband, Dale, an evangelistic
singer and rancher, reside in Lawton. They
have two adult children, Jeff and Nina, and one
grandchild, Addie.
that she needed to file a police
report for identity theft. “The
officer seemed fairly uninterested until I told her my name,” Matthews
recalls. “She looked at me and said, ‘Oh, really?
Well, we have you in custody in the back.’”
Just hours earlier, local police had arrested
a woman who was using a credit card in
Matthews’ name in a jewelry store near WalMart. “She had tried to purchase a $1,500
engagement ring,” Matthews says. “The credit
card came up listed as stolen after she left WalMart, so the jewelry store owner confiscated
the card and called police.”
The woman fled the jewelry store but was
caught by police on the street. Then the story
of her previous shopping spree came out.
“While she was a Wal-Mart, she bought another
$1,500 engagement ring and then went on a
$500 after-Christmas shopping spree,”
Matthews says. “When she tried to make the
$500 purchase, the credit card company
automatically flagged the purchase because of
the amount put on the card that day. When she
was asked for identification by officials at WalMart, she couldn’t produce it, so they made her
return everything. That’s when she went to the
jewelry store.”
Matthews says she had no idea how the
woman obtained a credit card in her name.
“Then I found out she was renting a house that
I used to own years ago but then sold,” she
says. “And I found out that, even though I
closed out that credit card years ago, the credit
card company automatically sent me a new
card – but they didn’t know I had moved.”
The woman living in Matthews’ old home
opened her mail, discovering the pre-approved
credit card and signed Mathews’ name in her
own handwriting. “So that matched up when
she was in the store,” Matthews says.
Matthews felt lucky that the woman was
caught, and she called her identity theft
protection plan from Pre-Paid Legal Services to
report the incident. “The person there said that
it didn’t sound like I had a problem, but that I
should keep an eye on my accounts,”
(continued on next page)
Matthews says.
Sen. Mike Schulz accepts his OFB Meritorious Service Award
from President Mike Spradling, right.
Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010 • 29
Avoid injuries
by staying alert
around cattle
C
attlemen should always be alert around
their animals to avoid injuries,
according to Oklahoma Farm Bureau
Safety Director Justin Grego.
“It’s not unusual to hear about someone
from your community getting injured
unexpectedly by one of his cows or a bull,” he
said. “We’re fortunate in Oklahoma. To my knowledge, we haven’t seen any fatalities recently.”
Grego said most of the attacks or mishaps
with cattle do not result in fatalities, but
cattlemen have sustained many bruises,
broken bones and crushed egos.
“Most of the victims you hear about are
experienced cattle producers. You even hear
about vets and ag teachers getting their share
of nicks, bruises or broken bones.
“I’d imagine that after one run in with a
cow or bull, they’re wiser and more cautious
the next time they get in the pen or go in the
pasture,” he said.
Agriculture is statistically one of the most
dangerous occupations, and that data shows
livestock, machinery and falls as the prime
sources of occupational injury on farms. Some
studies even show that one-third of the farm
injuries are associated with livestock.
“While many cattle are docile, they weigh
more than six times the weight of a man and
can crush bones with a single kick, step or
charge,” Grego said.
It is important that livestock owners
recognize the different behavior factors when
working around livestock.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC)
released a study that documented farm fatali-
To catch an identity thief (continued)
Matthews obtained her credit report and
everything looked in order. Then, 90 days later,
she requested a second credit report. “On the
report, there was a credit card company
reporting that I wasn’t paying my bill for an
account that I didn’t have,” Matthews says. “My
credit score had dropped.” Matthews contacted
her identity theft protection plan, which
immediately sent a letter to the credit
reporting agency demanding the item be
removed from her credit report and her credit
score restored. “That worked, but it took some
time,” Matthews says.
The Oklahoma woman’s troubles, however,
were far from over. “I got a call from MBNA
wanting to set up payments for a Bass Pro
Shop account,” Matthews says. “It was starting
all over again.” This time, the credit card
company had sent blank checks to Matthews’
old address that were, in reality, a line of credit.
“And the same woman took the checks and
30 • Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010
used them,”
Matthews says.
The identity thief
wrote more than $3,100 in checks, paying for
her rent and making a down payment on a
four-wheeler. “I think she also used one of the
checks to pay for her bail,” Matthews says.
Matthews returned to her local police
station and filed another report. The identity
theft protection plan sent out another round
of letters trying to protect her credit record.
“And then I had my Pre-Paid Legal attorney
demand that MBNA close out the account,”
Matthews says.
Matthews also sign a limited power of
attorney to her identity theft protection plan so
it could work on her behalf to clear up the
situation. “They took care of everything,” she
says. By late-summer 2005, Matthews found
her credit report cleared and her credit
rating restored.
But she spent many frustrating hours
during those two years. “There was just so
many aggravating episodes, such as a
ties in the central part of the United States
showing 21 cattle-related deaths from 2003 to
2009. Of those deaths, 13 involved attacks by
individual bulls, six involved attacks by individual cows and five involved multiple cattle.
Grego said most of the incidents where
stockmen are injured resulted from animals
that have never acted aggressively toward their
owners before.
“Some may have even been show animals
that were broke to lead and accustomed to
being around humans,” he said.
Victims usually can recall that on the day of
representative from AOL calling and harassing
me because this woman opened an account in
my name but skipped on the payments,”
Matthews says.
The identity thief never served time in
jail, despite her arrest, Matthews says. “When
she was arrested again, she pleaded guilty,
agreed to pay restitution and was released,”
Matthews reports.
After her encounter with identity theft,
Matthews’ advice is simple: “Get Identity Theft
Shield,” she says. “You can take a lot of
precautions and still get burned. I can’t
imagine the headaches I would have had
without my Identity Theft Shield. This could
have gone on for years.”
For more information of Identity Theft
Shield and Pre-Paid Legal Services, please
contact your county Farm Bureau
Insurance Agent.
* Name changed for security purposes.
Courtesy of Smart Solutions, the official publication of
Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.
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the incident some unusual circumstances
could have caused the animal to blow up.
“Cows are prone to do this if you’re doing
something with their newborn calf and you get
between her and her baby. Dogs may irritate
her and she could take out her frustrations on
the nearest intruder which could be you,”
Grego said.
Bulls tend to become aggressive around
cows that are in heat or when other bulls
invade their space.
“Don’t assume that an animal that’s halter
broke or that you’ve petted out in the pasture
won’t have a bad day and their hormones take
over. When this occurs, the animals can surprise
you at how fast they can move,” Grego said.
“You’re big bull might not be as fast as a smaller
animal, but they’ll be quicker than you expect.”
There are several tips stockmen can follow
to help avoid injuries from cows or bulls.
“For starters,” said Grego, “always be careful
around livestock and have an escape route
planned.”
It also is a good idea to carry a device that
offers some protection like a hot shot or a big
stick in case there is an attack. He also said
that while dogs can provoke an animal that
they sometimes can help the owner escape by
diverting the animal’s attention.
Nose rings in bulls can help control them in
some situations.
“We’re not getting any younger, and we
probably can’t move as quickly as we could
once,” said Grego. “It’s also a good idea to have
another person with you when you’re working
with newborns or moving bulls.”
He said it is important for stockmen to cull
animals that act aggressively.
“Temperament or docility is a heritable
trait. If you think some of the animals are
inheritantly mean, pay more attention to that
trait when you select replacement animals.”
Another recommendation is to not be in a
hurry and end up being careless.
“You also need to keep your fences and
gates in good repair and sturdy enough to
protect you and your help,” Grego said.
Ranchers entering an area with cattle
should always be alert, and are advised to take
an easy-does-it approach with the animals.
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Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010 • 31
Oklahoma ag teacher wins
national award, truck
T
oyota Motor Sales USA awarded a 2010
Toyota Tundra to Mark Sneary, former
Garber High School and current
Northwest Oklahoma State University
professor, for his accomplishments in
agriculture education and receiving the
Outstanding Teacher Award from the National
Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE).
Sneary received the truck on a two-year
lease for his accomplishments during a
ceremony held Jan. 15 at the Chisholm Trail
Expo Center in Enid at halftime of a basketball
tournament.
Sneary, a Woods County Farm Bureau
member, taught at Garber High School for 20
years before moving recently to Northwest
Oklahoma State University.
Sneary strives to challenge students both in
and out of the classroom through a variety of
teaching methods. While at Garber, students
were given a wide range of classes to choose
from in the agriculture program, all of which
included lecture, demonstrations and hands-on
experiences. Classes included an eighth grade
exploratory class, agri-science I and II,
agriculture power and technology I and II, and
agri-business. Many of the students in his
classes have gone straight into the workforce,
showing how Sneary works hard to prepare
them for the real world.
“My primary goal as a teacher is to provide
my students with the necessary skills and
knowledge to be productive, responsible
citizens and to allow them every opportunity to
succeed as individuals,” said Sneary. “As an
educator, I provide not only classroom instruction, but also individualized instruction as an
essential component of my curriculum in an
effort to allow students to assimilate what they
have learned into a meaningful experience.”
A testament to Sneary’s dedication to
students is the 84 state FFA and 22 American
FFA degree recipients of the Garber FFA since
his arrival to the program. Sneary also has
advised four state FFA officers and the Star
Farmer of America in 2008. Sneary’s
involvement in his students’ life does not stop
in the classroom or FFA events; he is wellknown for going above and beyond to help
32 • Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010
students. Whether it is
helping pull a calf with
a student in the middle
of the night or helping
fix a flat tire, Sneary’s
students can always
count on him.
“When I first came
to Garber I told Mark
that he was doing a lot
of things that were not part of his job
description. He did not have to go with a
student’s parents to Iowa to pick out a hog,”
said Marc Hatton, former Garber High School
principal. “Of course, he ignored me and has
kept on doing much more than he has to. It is
who he is. A teacher will do whatever he can to
help his students become the best they can
possibly be in not only the field of agriculture,
but also life.”
“NAAE is honored to have an international
company like Toyota recognize the value of U.S.
agricultural education and the dedication of
the teachers who make it all possible,” said
NAAE Executive Director Jay Jackman.
“Coordinating the relationship through the FFA
makes the relationship’s impact on the
country’s ag community even stronger. We are
thrilled to be part of such a worthwhile,
engaging sponsorship.”
NAAE selects one postsecondary agricultural program from each of its six regions
across the United States to be named the area’s
top educator. Sneary represents Region II,
which includes Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas,
Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
Six teachers selected by NAAE as the
country’s top educators throughout middle
school to postsecondary institutions as well as
six department representatives from postsecondary programs within each region received a
Toyota Tundra Double Cab 5.7L V8 4X4 on a
two-year lease. NAAE annually selects the 12
honorees through an application process.
Sneary is the second Farm Bureau member
to win the award. Barclay Holt, a Kiowa County
member, received a Toyota truck in 2008 from
the program for his work as agriculture
business management coordinator at
Mark Sneary, Northwest Oklahoma State University
Agricultural Teacher and Award Recipient, addresses the
crowd during a basketball tournament in Enid. Frank Bianchi,
corporate communications manager for Gulf States Toyota,
and Scott Northcutt of Northcutt Toyota, watch in
appreciation for Mark’s work with the Garber agricultural
community.
Northwest Oklahoma Career Tech in Alva.
Sneary is the brother of Woods County Farm
Bureau’s Steve Sneary, who was the 2009 OFB
Discussion Meet winner. Steve is the farm
manager and agriculture instructor at
Northwestern Oklahoma State University, and
has served on the state YF&R Committee and
as a member of the Woods County Farm
Bureau board of directors.
AFBF delegates adopt
issues pushed by
Oklahoma delegation
C
rop insurance reform, correct use of
H1N1 terminology and a change in
Department of Transportation rules
were among a slew of issues pushed by
Oklahoma Farm Bureau delegates at the
American Farm Bureau convention in Seattle,
Wash., Jan. 9-13.
Oklahoma’s 10 delegates, lead by OFB
President Mike Spradling, also joined the 369
delegates to the convention to unanimously
approve a special resolution to strongly oppose
cap and trade proposals before Congress as
well as strongly supporting any legislative
action that would suspend EPA’s authority to
regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean
Air Act.
The nine Oklahomans who joined the OFB
Oklahoma delegates, from left, Gary Johnson and Curt
Roberts listen intently to discussion of an issue during the
AFBF policy development session in Seattle. Also pictured
are OFB delegates Beverly Delmedico and Mike Spradling.
Roberts holds a voting device in his hand, and is preparing
to cast his ballot.
Continued on page 35
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president as delegates were Mike Bolay,
William Cubbage, Beverly Delmedico, James
Fuser, Gary Johnson, Curt Roberts, Jack
Sherry, Carl Williams and Charles Sloan.
“It was a good convention,” said Spradling,
“and I believe all of our issues received great
support from farmers and ranchers all over
the country.”
On crop insurance, voting delegates adopted
a resolution stating farmers should be able to
purchase double crop insurance for crops that
were planted and harvested on the same
acreage for the last four years. They also
adopted a resolution stating the history of crop
loss “may” be spread over 10 years instead of
five.
“It would be devastating to Oklahoma
producers if we had to use a five-year base
for claim loss,” said Spradling. “Our weather
is extremely volatile and giving us 10 years
to spread the loss history over is more
meaningful.”
Responding to the media’s mislabeling
H1N1 as swine flu, the delegates urged the
news media to use the correct scientific
terminology in referring to animal and plant
health issues.
Delegates also adopted Oklahoma-requested
policy to change the DOT requirement that any
vehicle carrying more than 119 gallons of fuel
in a tank other than the vehicle fuel tank be
placarded to be boosted to 500 gallons.
The resolution on cap and trade asserted
the legislation would result in significantly
higher production costs for farmers, and that
any potential benefits of agricultural offsets are
far outweighed by the costs.
“The administration’s economic projections
show that the proposed cap and trade
legislation would result in planting tress on 59
million acres of crop and pasture land thereby
damaging the capability of U.S. agricultural
producers to feed a growing world population
and create the conditions for (hiking)
consumer foods costs. Cap and trade legislation
would eliminate jobs, and could result in the
loss of 2.3 million jobs in the U.S. over the next
20 years,” according to the resolution.
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34 • Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010
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Delegates also called for meaningful relief
from the estate tax, with no conditions or
qualifications. They said that an increase in the
overall exemption would be Farm Bureau’s
main priority. They also reaffirmed support for
full stepped-up basis at the time of death in
order to reduce the capital gains tax burden on
farm and ranch heirs. Also on taxes, the
delegates opposed the imposition of any
health-related taxes on food or beverages.
The delegates approved policy supporting
changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Order
structure, formulas and price classes used to
accurately compute milk prices.
On farm policy, the delegates affirmed their
support for the current farm program and
continued their support for a mandatory
country-of-origin labeling program as enacted
in the 2008 farm bill. They also called for a
workable ad hoc disaster program and
approved a new policy calling for a specialty
crops title in future farm bills.
The delegates also expressed the
organization’s support for a balanced federal
budget, saying the federal deficit should be
reduced each year to reach a fully balanced
budged by 2019. They said federal spending on
government services and entitlements must be
reduced.
Spradling said the thorough and complete
discussion of the issues indicates Farm Bureau
is a true grass roots organization.
“This is one of our proudest moments as a
Farm Bureau member when you see voting
delegates representing the entire country
coming together to agree on these issues,” he
remarked.
OFB was recognized during the convention
for outstanding membership achievements and
for implementing outstanding programs
serving members in 2009.
OFB won Awards for Excellence in member
services, policy implementation and public
relations and information. The state also
received a President’s Award in the member
services category.
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Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010 • 35
Three members named
to FSA State Committee
T
Agrifest
Garfield County Farm Bureau President Gary Johnson, center, is flanked by Field
Representatives Todd Honer, left, and Burton Harmon, right, at the Farm Bureau booth at the
14th annual KNID Agrifest at the Chisholm Trail Expo Center in Enid as the three chat with a
visitor. The Jan. 8 and 9 show attracted an estimated 60,000 plus visitors despite frigid
temperatures that kept Oklahoma in the deep freeze. Johnson said the Farm Bureau booth has
been a fixture at each farm show since the event began. Several prizes including two air
compressors, tape measures, emergency roadside kits and garden hand tools were awarded
to those lucky enough to have their names drawn from the hopper at the Farm Bureau booth.
Everyone stopping by was offered information about Farm Bureau as well as free candy and
gum. Alfalfa, Blaine, Garfield, Grant, Kingfisher, Kay, Major, Noble and Woods County Farm
Bureaus sponsored the prizes awarded at the booth. An estimated $100 million worth of
agricultural equipment and products were housed in the indoor center, affording visitors a
comfortable venue despite the freezing outdoor temperatures.
Don’t CAP
Our Future
Oklahoma’s two U.S. Senators were on hand
to accept some of the 100,000 grassroots
calls to action from AFBF President Bob
Stallman March 10 in Washington, D.C.
Senators Inhofe, top photo, and Coburn,
bottom photo, appear with Stallman. AFBF
culminated its six-month-long campaign to
oppose cap-and-trade climate change
regulations by presenting key lawmakers the
giant signed screen plus stacks of post cards
and correspondence sent by Farm Bureau
members across the nation.
36 • Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010
hree of the five people appointed to the
Oklahoma Farm Service Agency State
Committee by the Obama administration
are Oklahoma Farm Bureau members.
Farm Bureau members Steve Nunley,
Brenda Neufeld and Jack Sherry were named
to the committee.
The state committee members oversee the
activities of the agency, including carrying out
the state agricultural conservation programs,
resolving appeals from the agricultural
community and keeping producers informed
about FSA programs.
Nunley, who is from Marlow, is a Stephens
County Farm Bureau member and has served
on the county board of directors. He is a former
chairman of the Oklahoma YF&R Committee
and also served as chairman of the American
Farm Bureau Federation’s YF&R Committee.
He has been named OFB’s Achievement Award
winner, recognizing him as the state’s top
young farmer. He also is a winner of the
Western Region Dairy and Crop Production
Proficiency Award.
Neufeld, who is from Fairview, is a Major
County Farm Bureau member and currently
serves on the county’s Women’s Committee.
She plays an integral part in her family’s farm
operation, where she is involved in the
production of dairy-quality alfalfa hay, wheat
and cattle. She also is a tax accountant. She
has served as Major County Progressive Farmer
Safety Day coordinator, Ag in the Classroom
presenter and teacher tour host.
Sherry, who is from Holdenville, is a Hughes
County Farm Bureau member and serves on
the county board of directors. He is part owner
of a 2,000-acre farm and ranch. Sherry also is
the current president of the Holdenville
Chamber of Commerce and president of the
Holdenville School Board. He has been
president of the county Young Farmers and
county Cattlemen’s Association. Sherry also
served on the 2009 OFB State Resolutions
Committee.