During AFR (American Farmers and Ranchers) Day at Oklahoma’s Capitol, Farm Director KC Sheperd had the chance to catch up with AFR President Scott Blubaugh. Sheperd and Blubaugh talk about a few bills that AFR has focused on recently that impact agriculture in the state. Talking points for AFR members included responsible water policy, farm to school, House Bill 1860, Processing capacity, House Bill 3801 and more.
“Today is our big day here at AFR; we bring our membership in to learn how to lobby basically and to meet with our Senators or Representatives, talk about issues that are important to them, issues that our policy issue developed over the last year, and just remind these folks up here that we have a large membership of about 61,000 members here in Oklahoma that we represent.”
First and foremost, Blubaugh said AFR is excited for the chance to congratulate the legislation on the passage of House Bill 1006, which grants 4-H students an excused school absence when participating in an approved activity.
Blubaugh said the discussion on water metering throughout Oklahoma is also a big topic, and he is looking forward to hearing from legislators about finding solutions to water issues around the state.
“I will tell you, we kind of have a divided camp on water,” Blubaugh said. “I think most of the organizations have a divided camp on water. We have some who want metering throughout the state, we have some who want it under certain circumstances, and we have some members who don’t want it at all.
Blubaugh said that with aquifers drying up more and more, a solution will eventually have to be found regarding the management of water in the state.
“It is a tough discussion, and like I said, it is completely different in different regions of the state,” Blubaugh said. “Tough issue with water.”
Lastly, Blubaugh talked about House Bill 4118, which works to protect poultry companies from water pollution lawsuits.
“There are some really good things in that poultry bill,” Blubaugh said. There are some things in there that we support and are in our policy, but there are also some things we have concerns with, and we think the bill could be better.”
Blubaugh said AFR has some proposed amendments to House Bill 4118.
“I don’t know if they will get put in or not, but we would like to see them make that bill better, not only to maintain that water quality at the status quo but actually work for long-term improvement to that water quality,” Blubaugh said.
