President Obama’s proposal to cut $700 million from the USDA budget has Oklahoma farmers concerned, as it threatens to drastically reduce funding for crop insurance and conservation programs.

“We are deeply concerned about reducing funds for crop insurance as it is our primary risk management tool,” said Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. “Cutting funds to crop insurance threatens the very program that kept many of our producers in business during the recent historic drought. We support a strong crop insurance program focused on helping farmers manage risk.”

The Farm Bureau leader emphasized agriculture’s support of reducing the federal deficit but said the administration should not try to sacrifice the nation’s food supply in the process.

“We are committed to doing our part in reducing the deficit,” Spradling said, “However, this budget proposal indicates the administration does not fully appreciate agriculture’s contribution to a safe, affordable, domestic food supply.”

In addition to cutting crop insurance, plans to decrease conservation programs also worry agricultural producers.

“As true environmental stewards, farmers and ranchers work extremely hard to protect water and soil quality,” Spradling said. “Reducing federal conservation funds takes another valuable tool away from our producers.”

State legislative leaders will address Oklahoma Farm Bureau county presidents Feb. 20-21, during the annual OFB Leadership Conference at the Marriott Hotel, 3233 Northwest Expressway, in Oklahoma City.

“This is a great opportunity for our county leaders to meet with their legislators and discuss issues important to rural Oklahoma,” said OFB President Mike Spradling.

The first day will feature a series of discussions on Oklahoma water laws, estate planning and employment laws. Also, Farm Bureau’s coveted Meritorious Service Awards will be presented during the evening’s conference banquet.

Day two will kick off with a legislative panel featuring State Representatives Leslie Osborn and Wade Rousselot and State Senators Sean Burrage and Clark Jolley. The lawmakers will discuss the topic of eliminating the state income tax.

Following the panel discussion, OFB plans to host a leadership training session and discuss updates on OFB policies, member benefits and other OFB-related projects.

Click here to view a full conference schedule (PDF file).

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin has proclaimed the week of Feb. 20-24, “Farm Bureau Week” in Oklahoma.

The week is part of a statewide observance during which county Farm Bureaus will make a concerted effort to enroll members, introduce the community to Farm Bureau volunteer leaders and explain the organization’s goals and objectives.

“This is a special time to acknowledge Farm Bureau members and the work they do year-round in the communities across this great state,” said OFB President Mike Spradling. “It is significant the governor recognizes Farm Bureau and agriculture’s importance to Oklahoma.”

When making the proclamation, Fallin cited Farm Bureau’s rich heritage and history of championing rural and agricultural issues.

“We have always made the best interests of rural citizens a priority,” Spradling said. “That was true when we started in 1942, and it’s true today.”

Farm Bureau is a grass roots organization based on a county foundation; each of Oklahoma’s 77 counties maintains an organized Farm Bureau group. As a voluntary, general farm organization, it seeks to improve the income and living conditions of farm and ranch families. Farm Bureau represents the farmer and rancher at the county level, the statehouse and the nation’s Capitol.

Throughout Farm Bureau Week, county Farm Bureau groups will be hosting receptions, open houses and other events highlighting the organization’s strong rural heritage.

Following the recent resignation announcement of Oklahoma State University’s Vice President, Dean and Director of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, farmers and ranchers are reflecting on the impressive OSU career of Robert Whitson.

“We greatly appreciate his leadership and vision,” said Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling. “I consider Bob a close friend and I will miss his wit and wisdom.”

Since 2005, Whitson has served as dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and also vice president/director of the two state agencies administered through the division: the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.

Under Whitson’s leadership, CASNR has experienced a significant increase in enrollment and helped the division strengthen its land-grant university mission.

“In a rural, agriculture state it is important to have someone of Bob’s abilities who understands our culture and industry,” Spradling said. “We depend on Oklahoma State University from an education, research and extension standpoint to improve the lives of our citizens. Bob has been a major factor in moving Oklahoma agriculture and OSU forward during his tenure.”

Whitson plans to officially step down at the end of July 2012. The OSU Provost is seeking input from Oklahoma Farm Bureau as the selection process for a new dean begins.

The Labor Department’s announcement to reconsider the ‘parental exemption’ regulations in its proposed child labor rule is good news for Oklahoma farm families, according to Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling.

“I’m really thankful the DOL is taking into account our comments to take another look at their proposal,” Spradling said.

The DOL received thousands of complaints from the agriculture industry after it announced plans last fall to propose strict, new child labor guidelines on the farm. The agency now says it will take more time to reconsider the parental exemption and hear comments from the public.

“Farm Bureau members have made it clear the DOL proposal was wrong and we’re glad the DOL listened to our concerns,” Spradling said.

The Sand Springs rancher said the proposal could have impacted agriculture’s future.

“If we are to prosper in the future, we need the younger generation to understand agriculture production and having these young people work on the farm fosters that appreciation needed for them to pursue an agricultural career,” Spradling said.

OFB and other advocates of agriculture are pleased with the DOL’s decision to reconsider its rule changes, but the ag industry’s campaign to preserve family work on the farm will continue. The DOL is promising to establish a dialogue with agriculture as it reworks a child labor proposal.

“We’ll continue to watch the issue and we look forward to discussing rule changes with the DOL,” Spradling said.

Listen to Spradling discuss the issue: