New Day, New Vision is Theme for AFR/OFU Convention Feb. 15-17

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“New Day, New Vision” is the theme for the 114th annual convention of the AFR/OFU Feb. 15-17, at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Norman, Okla.

“We expect a large crowd of members from around the state to participate in this year’s convention,” Terry Detrick, AFR/OFU president said.

One of the reasons for the expected large turnout is the election of directors and officer positions. This year voting delegates will elect a new president to lead the AFR/OFU Cooperative.  In addition, there are three board positions to be decided.

Detrick is retiring after 10 years at the helm.  The Ames, Okla., farmer and rancher has served the organization for over 30 years in various leadership roles. A special reception and retirement presentations are scheduled for Saturday evening, Feb. 16.

Voting delegates will also vote on a large slate of policy issues during the business session.  Among the issues to be discussed include immigration, trade, hemp production, energy production taxes, education funding, improving rural infrastructure and the definition of meat.

Heading the list of distinguished speakers at this year’s convention is Roger Johnson, president of the National Farmers Union, Scott Biggs, state director, Oklahoma Farm Service Agency, USDA, Blayne Arthur, Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, and Neil Alldredge, senior vice president, corporate affairs for National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC).

A special youth leadership session is scheduled for Feb. 16 and will be led by well-known youth leadership trainers Marty Jones and Lawson Thompson.

A unique feature at this convention will be the AFR Women’s Council blood drive beginning Saturday morning at 9 a.m. Donors can download Oklahoma Blood Institute permission forms at  gradtech.wpengine.com/womans-cooperative.

A Saturday afternoon breakout session on market enhancement for Oklahoma agriculture will include presentations from the state’s commodity organizations.

A video presentation by U.S. Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) will highlight the Sunday morning worship and memorial service.

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