Agricultural News
AFR/OFU Cooperative Policy Committee Meets to Discuss 2020 Policy
Tue, 07 Jan 2020 08:47:11 CST
The American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) 2020 Policy Committee convened in Oklahoma City Jan. 6 to discuss proposed changes and additions to the organization's policy.
Committee members play an integral role in policy development. Policies created or altered during the committee meetings and then adopted by delegates during the 2020 AFR/OFU State Convention Feb. 14-16 will govern AFR/OFU legislative efforts through the next year.
Topics of this year's discussion included electronic animal identification, African swine fever, legislative redistricting, agricultural land reassessment, rural internet access, agricultural extension funding, and the current challenges for agricultural cooperatives.
Representatives from an array of entities presented to the committee, including Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry, Oklahoma State University's Division of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Oklahoma Agricultural Cooperatives Council, Oklahoma Rural Water Association, The Petroleum Alliance, Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, The Poultry Federation, Oklahoma Cable & Internet Association, Oklahoma Cattleman's Association, Oklahoma Cotton Council, Oklahoma Pork Council, Oklahoma Hospital Association, Advanced Power Alliance, Connors State College, Environmental Federation of Oklahoma, Coalition of Oklahoma Surface and Mineral Owners, Oklahoma Agribusiness Retailers Association, Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association, Oklahoma Grain & Feed Association, Oklahoma Seed Trade Association.
"The AFR/OFU policy process is a model of grassroots legislative efforts in action," said AFR/OFU Cooperative President Scott Blubaugh. "Because many of our policies originate from resolutions crafted in our local and county organizations; AFR/OFU members know their voices are heard at the state and national level."
Each year, AFR/OFU selects policy committee members from across Oklahoma. The appointed individuals are an accomplished and diverse group representing the broadest spectrum possible of the general AFR membership. This year's committee members include Brent Brewer, Hunter; Adam Brockriede, Frederick; Jim Buck, Cherokee; Terrell Coffey, Hinton; Becky Delozier, Adair; Bradley Hamilton, McAlester; Lee Horton, Lone Wolf; Roy Justice, Mannsville; Pam Livingston, Seiling; Michael Long, Wapanucka; Doug Ogden, Oktaha; Ryan Plemmons, Battiest; Jordan Shearer, Laverne; Branden Spears, Ponca City; Rodney Unruh, Elk City; and Mike Weaver, Fort Cobb. Randy Abbott, Pryor, chaired the committee.
AFR/OFU Cooperative is a membership services organization established in 1905 as Oklahoma Farmers Union. AFR/OFU provides educational, legislative and cooperative programs across the state and serves as a watchdog for Oklahoma's family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. The organization is actively supportive of the state's agricultural industry and rural population with membership consisting of farmers actively involved in production agriculture and non-farmers adding their voice in support of AFR/OFU principles.
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