AFR Cooperative has named two state legislators 2024 AFR Legislative Advocates. This year’s AFR Legislative Advocate Awards recognize Sen. Blake Stephens, R-Tahlequah, and Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston.
The AFR Legislative Advocate Award is presented to state leaders that advocate for AFR Cooperative policies and work hard on issues that are important to the AFR membership during each state legislative session. Stephens and Wallace were recognized for their work during the 2024 legislative session.
“We applaud the leadership of all our legislators and their service to Oklahoma,” said AFR Cooperative President Scott Blubaugh. But, Sen. Blake Stephens and Rep. Kevin Wallace are two legislators who went above and beyond for rural Oklahoma in 2024 and we’re pleased to honor them with this award.”
Sen. Stephens represents Oklahoma Senate District 03. He has authored several priority pieces of legislation for AFR since his election in 2020. In 2024, he championed locking the clock on Daylight Savings Time pending federal approval and, in 2020, he passed regulatory reform requiring signage on medical marijuana grows. Stephens owns and operates his family ranch and is a strong supporter of AFR, even volunteering his time at the annual AFR Leadership Summit.
Chairman Wallace represents Oklahoma House District 32. He has served as chairman of the Appropriations and Budget House Committee since 2017. In that role, he has led the state out of budget shortfalls into some of the greatest surpluses in state history. Throughout his tenure, he has championed increases in funding for public education and many budget priorities for rural Oklahoma, all while being fiscally responsible for the state’s appropriations. Wallace is an AFR member and served as a delegate at convention for many years. He is a staunch advocate for farming and ranching families and rural communities.
AFR Cooperative is a membership services organization established in 1905 as Oklahoma Farmers Union. AFR 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 principles.
