2019 AFR Ag Achievement Contest Winners Announced

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The 2019 AFR Agricultural Achievement Contest began with 80 contestants competing for $5,000 in scholarship money. The top 10 were announced Thursday, March 21st prior to the Oklahoma Youth Expo Grand Drive.

The results include: 1st: Jentry Squires, Kingfisher FFA; 2nd: Tanner Stevens, Yukon FFA; 3rd: Chace McCoy, Oklahoma County 4-H; 4th: Wyatt Brown, Tecumseh FFA; 5th: Keegan Carrera, Shawnee FFA; 6th: Whitney Glazier, Lomega FFA; 7th: Morgan Nipp, Wilson FFA; 8th: Allison Galindo, Alva FFA; 9th: Katy Leard, Caney Valley FFA; 10th: Sydney Bean, Newcastle FFA.

The contest was open to 11th and 12th grade 4-H and FFA members exhibiting an animal at OYE. Contestants completed a 100 question multiple choice test and then were required to show their animal in an AFR showmanship contest.

Our showmanship judge was Chris Hall who currently serves as the head livestock judging coach at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton, Okla.

Test and showmanship scores were combined to determine the top 10 contestants. The top 10 individuals then competed in the final round of the contest consisting of a personal interview with a panel of agricultural industry leaders as judges.

“This is a highly competitive contest,” said Scott Blubaugh, AFR/OFU President. “The opportunity to be recognized and earn scholarships in this contest is an outstanding accomplishment for these students. We are proud to invest in Oklahoma’s youth.”

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OFU Foundation Gathering Donations For Hard Hit Nebraskans

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The Oklahoma Farmers Union Board of Directors announced today they will be sending donations to Nebraska farmers and ranchers hit hard by the recent floods and blizzards.

“We know what it is like to suffer from natural disasters,” said Scott Blubaugh, OFU Foundation president.  “Farmers and others have helped us recover from devastating wildfires in recent years and now it’s our turn to help those in need.”

Damage to grain storage bins, livestock killed by rising waters and destroyed barns and residences account for much of the damage as officials estimate losses from the storms will top $1 billion.

“We’re concerned now with taking care of the surviving livestock,” Blubaugh said.  “They are in desperate need of hay and other types of livestock feed.”

“The losses will continue to mount as farmers will be kept out of the fields for many weeks, leading to delayed spring planting,” Blubaugh said.

The Oklahoma farm leader said this is in addition to roads, bridges and the entire rural infrastructure that has been destroyed.

“It’s hard to imagine the total damage and the suffering our Nebraska colleagues are enduring,” Blubaugh said.

Donations can be sent to the Farmers Union Foundation, Inc., C/O Paul Jackson, Attn: Nebraska Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 24000, Oklahoma City, OK 73124

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AFR President Says We Must Protect Our Ag Producers

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The President of Oklahoma’s oldest general farm organization wants federal budget writers to reconsider proposals to cut federal spending on agriculture programs.

“At a time of historic low farm income, we must look for ways to support farmers and ranchers, rather than take away valuable programs,” said Scott Blubaugh, AFR president.

The Tonkawa, Okla., farmer said President Trump’s proposed budget calling for reducing USDA spending will create hardships for agriculture producers.

“Low commodity prices combined with export market restrictions have left producers with uncertainty about their futures,” Blubaugh said. “Many farmers, especially younger producers, are struggling to find the resources to continue growing our food and fiber.”

The 2018 farm bill is welcomed but the financial aid will not arrive until next year.

“That will be too late for many farmers,” Blubaugh said. “The farm bill was a much desired tool, passed in a bipartisan effort to help agriculture.  They should be working to build on that success instead of looking for ways to cut farm programs.”

The Oklahoma farmer noted  the farm bill is budget-neutral, projected to cost far less over 10 years than the 2014 farm bill, while improving conservation programs, risk management tools and food security.

“We don’t want to go backwards and reduce programs that we vitally need to continue producing a safe, affordable and abundant food supply,” Blubaugh said.

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Blubaugh Appointed to NFU Committees

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Scott Blubaugh, Tonkawa, Okla., rancher and AFR president, has been elected to serve on the National Farmers Union Executive Committee. The selection was announced at the recent NFU convention in Seattle, WA.
“I am excited to represent Oklahoma and I am looking forward to serving agriculture on a national scale,” Blubaugh said.
The NFU Executive Committee is comprised of the NFU Secretary, Treasurer, four committee chairs and two at-large members. Blubaugh will fill one of the at-large positions. The committee hears proposals and recommends actions for the full NFU board of Directors. They can also act on behalf of the board in select circumstances.
Blubaugh was also selected to serve on three standing NFU committees, the Education/Co-Op, Legislative and NFU Foundation committees.
The committee work is in addition to Blubaugh’s service on the full NFU board of directors.
Blubaugh and his family own and operate a registered Angus business near Tonkawa, in the heart of their diversified 3,500 acre farm and ranch, which encompasses Osage, Kay and Noble counties.
NFU is a general farm organization including family farmers, fishers and ranchers across the country, with formally organized divisions in 33 states. Oklahoma is the largest NFU affiliate, representing more than 100,000 members.
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Two Oklahoma County AFR Groups Receive Top AFR Award

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Love and Beckham County AFR organizations received the coveted AFR 5 Star Award during the annual AFR/OFU convention, Feb. 16, in Norman.

“We talk a lot about our grass roots activity because this is what makes us different from some other groups,” said Terry Detrick, AFR/OFU president. “Our ability to serve local communities while at the same time promoting issues that benefit everyone starts at the local and county level.”

In an effort to recognize the many great things county AFR/OFU organizations do each year, AFR created a system that highlights four key areas:

  • County Officers and Board of Directors organized and become actively engaged county-wide.
  • Actively promote and support AFR Policy Positions county-wide.
  • Actively recruit, promote, and support AFR Youth Programs and Adult Education.
  • Create and Implement new ways to support AFR in improving rural and community life in Oklahoma.

County groups achieving 100 percent of these key areas receive the top award.

In Beckham County, efforts by AFR members included:

  • Hosting the 19th annual Eggs and Issues Breakfast at the Elk City Farm and Home Expo which featured a robust discussion of issues by local and state officials.
  • They raised funds to support their local hospital which was originally built by the Farmers Union.
  • They supported and raised funds for area rural fire departments totaling more than $2,250.
  • They sponsored the annual Beckham County Wellness Week which focuses on improving health for area residents.
  • They sponsored two blood drives as part of the on-going effort by the AFR Women’s Cooperative to save lives through blood donations.

Equally impressive was the work accomplished by AFR members in Love County which included:

  • AFR members donated time and money to make the annual Frontier Days parade and weekend celebration a wonderful event for the entire community.
  • Love County Local 300 provided funds for cancer research.
  • They raised approximately $15,000 for the annual Love County Junior Livestock Auction.
  • They worked with local elementary schools to encourage 80 entries in the annual AFR Youth poster contest.
  • Local 741 donated $500 to the Love County Rehabilitation Team, which supports local volunteer fire fighters and emergency responders.

“This is just a short list of all the great things Beckham and Love Counties have done this past year,” Detrick said. “I know there are other AFR members out there with the same commitment to service as demonstrated by these two counties.  I strongly encouraged you to think about all the ways you help your local community.”

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PHOTO CAPTION:  AFR President Terry Detrick, left, presented Love and Beckham County AFR organizations with the coveted AFR 5 Star Award during the annual AFR/OFU convention, Feb. 16, in Norman. Pictured with Detrick is Cody Crow, Beckham County, and Murray McMurray, Love County.

 

 

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Thousands of Oklahoma Students Participate in 2018 AFR Poster Contest

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The 2018 AFR poster contest attracted more than 5,000 Oklahoma elementary school students, indicating the popularity of a project that has endured through several decades of Oklahoma families. The poster winners were announced at the recent AFR/OFU Convention, Feb. 16, in Norman, Okla.

“This is a fun and educational way for students to learn about agriculture,” said Micaela Danker, AFR/OFU youth development coordinator. “We are impressed with the many creative ways students expressed our theme, ‘fresh from the farm,’ with their original artwork.”

Guidelines for the poster contest included:

  • Posters must solely be the work of the student.
  • Students may use crayons, markers, pens, pencils, etc.
  • Posters were judged on originality, creativity, neatness, content and overall effect.
  • There were two age divisions: Division I: Grades 1st and 2nd; and Division II: Grades 3rd and 4th.
  • Visa gift cards were awarded to students in each division: First Place: $100; Second Place: $75; Third, Fourth & Fifth Place: $50.

The winners are:

Division I

1st          KJ Smith, Canton Elementary, Canton

2nd        Markie Hallmark, W.R. Teague Elementary, Wagoner

3rd         Brady Miller, Maryetta Elementary, Stilwell

4th         Tate Clawson, Dahlonegah Elementary, Stilwell

5th         Amalyn Switzer, Leedey Elementary, Leedey

 

Division II

1st          Lawson Wells, Maryetta Elementary, Stilwell

2nd        Kairi Ann Harris, Wright City Elementary, Wright City

3rd         Taylor Little, Carnegie Elementary, Carnegie

4th         Makinlee Carpenter, Leedey Elementary, Leedey

5th         Lindzee Wessels, Cherokee Elementary, Cherokee

 

PHOTO CAPTION:  Pictured are four of the winners from Division II, left to right, Kairi Ann Harris, Wright City Elementary; Taylor Little, Carnegie Elementary; Makinlee Carpenter, Leedey Elementary; Lindzee Wessels, Cherokee Elementrary;

 

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AFR Blood Drives Saved Lives

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AFR Women’s Cooperative blood drive drives saved 5,292 lives in 2018 with a total of 59 blood drives held across the state. This announcement was made February 16th during the 2019 AFR Convention at the Embassy suites Hotel and Conference Center in Norman.

“This is simply amazing,” said Pam Livingston, 2018 AFR Women’s Cooperative Chair. “We are grateful for our blood drive hosts and donors who made this happen.”

The AFR Women’s Cooperative elected to partner with Oklahoma Blood Institute to increase awareness for the need of donating blood as their 2018 initiative. As the nation’s 9th largest non-profit blood center, Oklahoma Blood Institute relies solely on 1,200 volunteer blood donors a day to meet the needs of patients at more than 160 hospitals and medical facilities statewide. This was made possible by AFR agencies, counties and locals hosting blood drives across the state.

At the Women’s Cooperative awards program the following agencies, counties and locals were recognized for their outstanding efforts.

Most New Donors: 1st – Coweta Insurance Agency, 2nd – Cherokee Farmers Union, 3rd Hofschulte Insurance Services

Most Total Participants: 1st – Coweta Insurance Services, 2nd Cherokee County Farmers Union, 3rd – Ellison Group – Watonga OFU Local 504

Most Young Donors: 1st Cherokee County Farmers Union, 2nd Coweta Insurance Agency, 3rd tie – Haskell Insurance Agency and Detrick Insurance Agency

In addition to agency, county and local blood drives, the AFR Women’s Cooperative hosted blood drives at the AFR Convention, the Oklahoma Youth Expo, Oklahoma State FFA Convention and the Tulsa State Fair.

Serving rural communities is a cornerstone of AFR.

 

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AFR/OFU Members Elect Leaders and Vote on Policy Issues During Annual Convention

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Voting delegates representing all Oklahoma AFR/OFU groups elected a new president and three board of directors during the business session Feb. 16 during the 114th annual AFR/OFU convention in Norman, Okla.

Elected to serve a 3-year term as President was Scott Blubaugh, Tonkawa, Okla.

“I want to continue the great tradition of AFR/OFU being the voice of family farmers and be an advocate for farmers and ranchers throughout the state and nation,” Blubaugh said.

Blubaugh is a lifelong resident of Kay County where he and wife Lisa operate a family ranch near Tonkawa. Each year they host an annual Registered Angus production sale in the heart of their diversified 3,500 acre farm and ranch, which encompasses Osage, Kay and Noble counties.

Dustin Tackett, Ft. Cobb, Okla., was elected to the board of directors.  Tackett farms the land his grandfather bought in 1913. They raise commercial Red Angus cattle and grow wheat, hay and pumpkins. He has served as an AFR Insurance agent since 2004.

Also elected to the board was Jim Shelton, Vinita, Okla. His family operates a 3,500 acre commercial cow/calf and stocker business.  He has also had a successful banking career with the Oklahoma State Bank of Vinita.

Re-elected to board of directors was Mason Mungle, Norman, Okla. He was a partner in a family dairy farm in Atoka, Oklahoma, and is still involved in the operation of a cow/calf operation on the family farm in Atoka.

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 were among the key resolutions passed during the business session.

Other resolutions passed include:

  • Better access 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.
  • The Legislature should address legal uncertainties with both medical marijuana and industrial hemp.

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Blubaugh Elected AFR/OFU President

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Scott Blubaugh, Tonkawa, Okla., was elected AFR/OFU president by voting delegates during the organization’s annual business session, Feb. 16, in Norman.

Blubaugh is taking over the reins from Terry Detrick who retired after 10 years at the helm.  The Ames, Okla., farmer and rancher had served the organization for over 30 years in various leadership roles.

“I want to continue the great tradition of AFR/OFU being the voice of family farmers and be an advocate for farmers and ranchers throughout the state and nation,” Blubaugh said.

Acknowledging this is a tough economic time for agriculture producers, Blubaugh offered some words of encouragement.

“Keep fighting, keep producing food and fiber and we’ll work on getting the market turned around,” Blubaugh said.

He pledged to spend time at the capitols in Oklahoma City and Washington, D.C., working and representing rural and agriculture issues.

Blubaugh is a lifelong resident of Kay County where he and wife Lisa operate a family ranch near Tonkawa. Each year they host an annual Registered Angus production sale in the heart of their diversified 3,500 acre farm and ranch, which encompasses Osage, Kay and Noble counties.

Scott has an extensive AFR/OFU background, working as OFU field representative and he and Lisa own an AFR Insurance agency in Tonkawa. He has also served on the Board of Directors for AFR Insurance.

The northern Oklahoma rancher took a one year leave of absence to serve as an Agricultural and Rural Community advisor for U.S. Rep. Richard Gephardt.

Other leadership positions held by Blubaugh include serving on the Farmer’s Cooperative board of directors, Northern Oklahoma College Agricultural Advisor committee, Kay County AFR president and is a graduate of the OSU Agricultural Leadership Program Class XI. He holds membership in the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, American Angus Association, Oklahoma Angus Association and Oklahoma Ag Credit.

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