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Oklahoma Youth Top Agriculture Achievement Contest
Oklahoma Youth Top Agriculture Achievement Contest

03/25/2024

Ten agricultural youth from across Oklahoma have earned top placings in the 2024 American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Agricultural Achievement Contest. The contest was conducted in conjunction with the Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE) in Oklahoma City March 13-22. This year, AFR presented $5,000 in prizes to contestants prior to the Oklahoma Youth Expo Grand Drive March 21.

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WILDFIRE MATCH FUNDING APPROVED
WILDFIRE MATCH FUNDING APPROVED

03/05/2024

The Farmers Union Foundation Inc. board of directors met Monday, March 4 to authorize the Foundation to expend up to $10,000 to purchase barbed wire supplies for Western Oklahoma counties impacted by wildfires including Harper, Ellis and Roger Mills Counties. The approved match funds can be matched by members, non-members, local and county organizations, or others up to the $10,000 commitment.

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AFR Holds Annual Convention, Elects Leadership
AFR Holds Annual Convention, Elects Leadership

02/27/2024

American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) hosted the organization’s 119th annual state convention at the Embassy Suites & Conference Center – Norman Feb. 23-25. The event features educational speakers and entertainment, the annual business meeting of Oklahoma Farmers Union and American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Insurance Company, discussion and adoption of AFR legislative policy and officer elections. This year’s convention theme is “Serving Through the Storm.”

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AFR Cooperative Announces 119th Annual Convention
AFR Cooperative Announces 119th Annual Convention

02/16/2024

American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) will host its 119th annual state convention at the Embassy Suites & Conference Center – Norman Feb. 23-25. This year’s convention theme is “Serving Through the Storm.”

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78th Annual AFR State Speech Contest Challenges Oklahoma Youth
78th Annual AFR State Speech Contest Challenges Oklahoma Youth

12/02/2023

American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) wrapped up its annual fall speech contest series Saturday Dec. 2 at Oklahoma State University (OSU) in Stillwater.

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AFR Delegation Presents Benjamin Franklin Award to Lankford, Hern
AFR Delegation Presents Benjamin Franklin Award to Lankford, Hern

09/27/2023

American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) recently presented two Oklahoma legislators—Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) and Rep. Kevin Hern (OK-01)—with the National Association of Mutual Insurance Company’s (NAMIC) Benjamin Franklin Public Policy Award. The awards were presented in Washington, D.C., the week of Sept. 11, when AFR members were on Capitol Hill lobbying Congress on behalf of agriculture and insurance issues.

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Mona Lee Brock Honored for Saving Oklahoma Farmers
Mona Lee Brock Honored for Saving Oklahoma Farmers

08/28/2023

If you ask many of the farmers who lived through the 1980s Farm Crisis, they’ll tell you there was once an angel who took their call—an Oklahoman named Mona Lee Brock.

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AFR to Host Leadership Summit for Oklahoma Youth July 23-29
AFR to Host Leadership Summit for Oklahoma Youth July 23-29

07/20/2023

American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Cooperative will host more 270 Oklahoma students next week as they learn to be effective leaders in their homes, schools and communities. Held at the Heartland Conference Center in Midwest City, the 2023 AFR Leadership Summit will be divided into two sessions: Teen Session for students entering grades 7-9 and Senior Session for students entering grades 10-12.

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Stop Government Overreach in Ranching Act Supported by State Farmer and Rancher Organization
Stop Government Overreach in Ranching Act Supported by State Farmer and Rancher Organization

06/13/2023

Federal legislation introduced by an Oklahoma congressman has many of the state’s farmers and ranchers hopeful for a reprieve from a new antibiotic regulation. The Stop Government Overreach in Ranching Act was introduced to Congress June 12 by Congressmen Josh Brecheen (R-OK) and Eric Burlison (R-MO). American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Cooperative is supportive of this legislation, which would reverse the Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) Guidance for Industry (GFI) #263.

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AFR Going Global - AFR Member Joins Global Policy Effort
AFR Going Global - AFR Member Joins Global Policy Effort

05/12/2023

You never know where your policy journey will take you. That’s something Woodward County AFR Member Tim Bates learned firsthand this January when he traveled to Berlin, Germany, to represent National Farmers Union (NFU) on the global stage.

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Tri-State Producers Conference
Tri-State Producers Conference

05/12/2023

Young farmers and ranchers from Oklahoma, South Dakota and North Dakota gathered in Deadwood, S.D., Jan. 20-21 for professional and personal skills building and cross-state networking. The inaugural Tri-State Producers Conference celebrated a successful first event and participants went home with skills that will help them grow their operations.

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AFR Elects Leadership, Celebrates a Great Year
AFR Elects Leadership, Celebrates a Great Year

02/21/2023

American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) hosted the organization’s 118th annual state convention at the Embassy Suites & Conference Center – Norman Feb. 17-19. The event features educational speakers and entertainment, the annual business meeting of Oklahoma Farmers Union and American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Insurance Company, discussion and adoption of AFR legislative policy and officer elections. This year’s convention theme was “Honor Tradition, Embrace Change.”

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AFR Stands with AG Drummond on Lesser Prairie Chicken Suit
AFR Stands with AG Drummond on Lesser Prairie Chicken Suit

02/06/2023

AFR stands with AG Drummond and his lawsuit against U.S. Fish & Wildlife in regards to the listing of the Lesser Prairie Chicken as an endangered species and the regulations and restrictions that accompany that listing. Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers are the ultimate conservationists; no one knows about best conservation practices for their properties better than they do.

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AFR Cooperative Announces 118th Annual Convention
AFR Cooperative Announces 118th Annual Convention

01/24/2023

American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) will host its 118th annual state convention at the Embassy Suites & Conference Center – Norman Feb. 17-19. This year’s convention theme is “Honor Tradition, Embrace Change.”

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Detrick Recognized for Meritorious Service to AFR/OFU
Detrick Recognized for Meritorious Service to AFR/OFU

03/22/2022

Terry Detrick, Lahoma, received the Oklahoma Farmers Union Meritorious Service Award at the 117th Annual American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) State Convention. The award was presented by AFR Cooperative President Scott Blubaugh at the convention banquet Feb. 13.

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Oklahoma Youth Top Agriculture Achievement Contest
Oklahoma Youth Top Agriculture Achievement Contest

03/21/2022

Ten agricultural youth from across Oklahoma have earned top placings in the 2022 American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Agricultural Achievement Contest. The contest was conducted in conjunction with the Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE) in Oklahoma City March 11-18. This year, AFR presented $5,000 in prizes to contestants prior to the Oklahoma Youth Expo Grand Drive March 17.

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Building A Better America: Oklahoma
Building A Better America: Oklahoma

03/11/2022

You are invited to join the White House and Oklahoma community partners for a special Building A Better America event on President Biden’s priorities for Oklahoma families and communities. This post‐State of the Union event will take place on Monday, March 14 at 2:00pm CT.

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AFR Advocates for Rural Public Schools, Opposes Proposed School Voucher System
AFR Advocates for Rural Public Schools, Opposes Proposed School Voucher System

03/10/2022

Senate Bill 1647—known as the Oklahoma Empowerment Act—is drawing increasing concern from rural lawmakers who worry the legislation could reduce state funding dollars for rural public schools. The proposed legislation is a “school choice” bill that would allow any student to use state funds to cover costs associated with private school or homeschool attendance through the use of “school vouchers.”

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AFR Elects Leadership, Celebrates a Great Year
AFR Elects Leadership, Celebrates a Great Year

02/17/2022

American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) hosted the organization’s 117th annual state convention at the Embassy Suites & Conference Center – Norman Feb. 11-13. The event features educational speakers and entertainment, the annual business meeting of Oklahoma Farmers Union and American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Insurance Company, discussion and adoption of AFR legislative policy and officer elections. This year’s convention theme was “One AFR.”

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AFR Awards State Scholarships
AFR Awards State Scholarships

02/17/2022

Twenty‐five Oklahoma youth were recognized as recipients of the 2022 American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Cooperative Statewide Scholarship.

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Delaware County AFR Donates to County Agriculture Programs
Delaware County AFR Donates to County Agriculture Programs

02/16/2022

The Delaware County American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Cooperative organization recently donated $2,000 to agricultural education efforts in Delaware County. Through the total amount donated, $500 was given to the Delaware County OSU Extension Office and $300 each was given to the Grove, Jay, Colcord, Kansas and Oaks FFA chapters.

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Richey Insurance Agency Funds Shiloh Christian Academy Scholarships
Richey Insurance Agency Funds Shiloh Christian Academy Scholarships

10/21/2021

Richey Insurance Agency of Blanchard recently donated $10,000 to Shiloh Christian Academy. The gift will be used to fund the Lorene Brandon Scholarship for Children, a needs-based scholarship that covers tuition for two Shiloh Christian Academy students for the 2021-2022 school year.

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Ag Mineral Owner Groups Announce Formation of Royalty Owner Coalition of Oklahoma
Ag Mineral Owner Groups Announce Formation of Royalty Owner Coalition of Oklahoma

09/27/2021

Five agriculture and mineral owner groups this week announced the formation of the Royalty Owner Coalition of Oklahoma, a non‐profit corporation to create a structured, consistent and strong voice for the interests of Oklahoma mineral owners.

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AFR Honored with Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award by Connors State College
AFR Honored with Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award by Connors State College

08/24/2021

American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) has received a 2021 Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award. The award is designed to highlight successful partnerships between higher education institutions and businesses. AFR was nominated by Connors State College (CSC) in recognition of their longstanding partnership.

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AFR/OFU Cooperative Gifts Connors State College Endowment Scholarship
AFR/OFU Cooperative Gifts Connors State College Endowment Scholarship

08/24/2021

American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) Cooperative has gifted Connors State College (CSC) an endowment scholarship of $10,000. The gift will be used to fund a scholarship award for the CSC Top Agricultural Student each year.

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Local AFR Cooperative Chapter Sponsors Jay Cruise Night
Local AFR Cooperative Chapter Sponsors Jay Cruise Night

08/19/2021

The American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Cooperative Local #527 recently participated in the 23rd Annual Jay Cruise Night. The event marks the first year for the AFR Local organization to participate in the community event. AFR Local #527 is backed by Matt and Mitzi Lane of Teel-Lane Insurance Agency in Jay.

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AFR/OFU Cooperative President Represents NFU at Historic Cattle Industry Meeting
AFR/OFU Cooperative President Represents NFU at Historic Cattle Industry Meeting

05/17/2021

National Farmers Union (NFU) recently joined five other national organizations representing cattle producers to agree to work jointly on urgent issues in the cattle marketplace. The organizations convened at the request of Livestock Marketing Association in Phoenix, Ariz., May 10.

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AFR/OFU Foundation Donates to Poteau High School Ag Department
AFR/OFU Foundation Donates to Poteau High School Ag Department

03/11/2021

American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) contributed more than $10,000 to the effort to rebuild the Poteau High School Agriculture Building after a February 2021 fire. The building housed many of the Poteau FFA Chapter’s activities.

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Local Conservationist Testifies During Climate Change Hearing
Local Conservationist Testifies During Climate Change Hearing

03/11/2021

Like many American farmers and ranchers, Clay Pope, Loyal, has experienced more frequent and severe weather extremes in recent years. But with the support of voluntary, incentive-based government programs, the American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) member and sixth-generation rancher has made his family’s operation more resilient to unpredictable precipitation patterns and wild temperature swings.

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Local Couple Nationally Recognized for Service to Rural Oklahoma
Local Couple Nationally Recognized for Service to Rural Oklahoma

03/10/2021

A.J. and Aliene Bristow, McAlester, have been recognized for their dedication to rural Oklahoma with the National Farmers Union (NFU) Bruce Miller Membership Award. The award honors Farmers Union members who demonstrate the mission and vision of National farmers Union. The Bristows are longtime American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) members in Pittsburg County.

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Pope Completes Term on National Agriculture Policy Committee
Pope Completes Term on National Agriculture Policy Committee

03/07/2021

Clay Pope, Loyal, has completed his two-year tenure as the American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) representative to the National Farmers Union (NFU) Policy Drafting Committee. Pope is a lifelong AFR/OFU member with family ties to the organization stretching back decades.

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Unruh Completes Term on NFU Credentials and Rules Committee
Unruh Completes Term on NFU Credentials and Rules Committee

03/07/2021

Rodney Unruh, Elk City, has completed his term as the American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) representative to the National Farmers Union (NFU) Credentials and Rules Committee. Unruh is a lifelong AFR/OFU member and served on the AFR/OFU Policy Committee in 2020.

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AFR/OFU Cooperative Announces 116th Annual Convention
AFR/OFU Cooperative Announces 116th Annual Convention

02/11/2021

American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) will host its 116th annual state convention at the Embassy Suites & Conference Center – Norman Feb. 12-13. This year’s convention is virtual, with in-personal attendance reserved for voting only.

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AFR/OFU Cooperative Announces Oklahoma Certified Beef Association
AFR/OFU Cooperative Announces Oklahoma Certified Beef Association

01/01/2021

Kicking off 2021 with a bang, American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) Cooperative is excited to announce a new opportunity for Oklahoma's ranchers—the Oklahoma Certified Beef Association (OCBA).

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