The American Farm Bureau convention opening session on Sunday, January 21st included the presentation of an AFBF New Horizon Award to Oklahoma Farm Bureau. The New Horizon Award is presented to one State Farm Bureau in each AFBF membership category, and OKFB’s award recognizes the OKFB Capitol Camp, a legislative experience for Oklahoma 4-H and FFA members.
Held for the second time in the summer of 2023, Capitol Camp is an immersive two-day experience for high school juniors and seniors to learn about Oklahoma’s legislative process and how bills become law through a mock legislature held on the floor of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. More than 70 4-H and FFA students gathered at the Oklahoma state Capitol in June of 2023 for Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s second-annual Capitol Camp.
Throughout the event, students in attendance had the opportunity to present and lobby a piece of legislation they wrote about an issue important to them. Bills were first heard in committees, and those that advanced were heard on the House floor.
Capitol Camp delegates elected a governor, speaker of the House and floor leader to run floor sessions in the House chamber both days.
“I have been involved in agriculture policy a lot because it is something that I find extremely important because nothing happens without it,” said Capitol Camp House Speaker Courtney Blagg of Nowata FFA. “This has been one of the best legislative experiences I have been to.”
The 2023 American Farm Bureau Convention continues through Tuesday. Oklahoma Farm Bureau delegates will be representing the state during the resolution policy session on Tuesday that will conclude the annual meeting and set policy for the general farm organization for the coming year.
