Farm Director KC Sheperd is talking with the Vice President of Communications and Public Relations at the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Justin Mielke, about upcoming summer events.
“At Farm Bureau, we used to say summer is when things slow down, and of course, that doesn’t happen anymore,” Mielke said. “We have tons of stuff going on all summer long.”
OKFB events this summer will not only be for adults, Mielke said, as there are plenty of youth-centered events that have been added to the calendar.
“Coming up this summer, we have our Capitol Camp, which is coming up June 12th and 13th. That is a really cool event where we have high school incoming juniors and seniors primarily pulled from 4-H and FFA members around the state and they get to go to the Oklahoma State Capitol and go through the legislative process themselves in person.”
Prior to the camp, students have the opportunity to write a piece of legislation about an issue important to them with help from mentors through a series of Zoom calls. Students will then discuss, lobby, and vote on their legislation during the two-day camp.
“Those kids get really passionate about the issues they bring up and the ideas they bring with them,” Mielke said. “It is always neat to see what is on their minds, of course, when it comes to bills and issues.”
Also ahead is the 2024 OKFB FFA Communications Conference set for July 23. The conference will equip students with knowledge of basic communications techniques and concepts in areas including writing, photography, social media and more, all taught by leading Oklahoma communications professionals.
“That is a one-day event where we bring FFA members and chapter officers from across the state to Oklahoma City and get them in front of real communications professionals from around the ag industry,” Mielke said. “The idea there is that they learn skills in sharing the FFA story and the agriculture story that they can use in their upcoming school year.”
The conference is designed for students of all communications experience levels – from FFA members who have experience telling their FFA story to students who are new to communicating for the organization.
“Oklahoma Farm Bureau understands that these young leaders are the future leaders,” Mielke said. “They are already leaders in their communities, they are already students that are engaged in community service events and activities, and numerous projects throughout rural Oklahoma. We know they are leaders today and are developing skills to be our industry leaders tomorrow.”
The OKFB Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference is also coming up on July 26th through 28th in Tulsa. Every summer, young agriculturalists from around Oklahoma gather for the annual OKFB YF&R Summer Conference. YF&R members visit and tour a different area of the state every year, broadening their agricultural horizons and allowing them to connect with fellow YF&R members from around the state. The conference includes agriculture tours, seminars, speakers and plenty of time to relax and enjoy the company of fellow young farmers, ranchers and agriculturalists.
“It is a great time of fellowship, it is a great time of learning, and growing,” Mielke said.
Lastly, Mielke said the Young Farmers and Ranchers Shotgun Shoot Fundraiser will be held on Friday, August 9, at Silverleaf Shotgun Sports near Guthrie. The fundraiser features a sporting-clays-style shoot with proceeds benefitting the work of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture.
Registration is now open through Friday, August 2, on the OKFB website for sponsors, teams and individuals who will compete in one of three divisions for youth shooters, collegiate shooters and an open division. For more information, visit https://www.okfarmbureau.org/news/okfb-yfr-2024-shotgun-shoot-fundraiser-registration-now-open/.
