AFR/OFU Policy Committee Prepares Resolutions for Annual Convention

Rural voters should have more input on education funding,  there should be a better definition of what constitutes meat, and support for a robust animal identification system for livestock are among the key resolutions up for adoption by voting delegates at the 2019 AFR/OFU annual business session, Feb. 16 at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Norman, Okla.

The issues were pared down from the more than 30 resolutions submitted by county AFR/OFU organizations across Oklahoma. The process was completed by the AFR/OFU Policy Committee which wrapped up their efforts Jan. 23 in Oklahoma City.

“This is true grass roots policy development,” said Wayne Herriman, Tulsa, policy committee chairman.

“All of these proposed policies came from county AFR/OFU organizations and brought to this committee to work on prior to our annual business session in February,” Herriman said.

Other policies up for discussion include:

• Support for rural healthcare, especially keeping rural hospitals functioning in a challenging environment.
• Support for farmers’ “right to repair” modern machinery and equipment.
• Urge the Oklahoma Legislature to preserve current property tax system without adding additional financial burden for agricultural landowners.
• Support an increase in state funding to retain quality staffing at the OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
• Keep medical marijuana separate from recreational marijuana.

“At the end of the business we will have our “bible” representing what we will stand for and will be our marching orders for the coming year,” said Terry Detrick, AFR/OFU president.

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