Farm Bureau members across Oklahoma are gearing up for a busy fall season focused on grassroots policy development, youth engagement, and innovation. Farm Bureau’s Director of Public Policy, Dustin Mielke, joined Farm Director KC Sheperd to outline a packed calendar of events designed to give members a voice and prepare the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Grassroots Policy in Action
The fall season begins with the annual August Area Meetings, which Mielke described as “the kickoff to our grassroots policy season.” These meetings, taking place in each Farm Bureau district, are designed to give members a direct say in the organization’s policy priorities for the coming year. “Our grassroots policy that our members write… will guide our work both at the Oklahoma State Legislature as well as at the national capital,” Mielke stated. The meetings provide a forum for farmers and ranchers to discuss the issues they face and begin shaping the resolutions that will be debated later in the year.
The easiest way for members to find a meeting near them is to visit the Oklahoma Farm Bureau website, okfarmbureau.org. Mielke added that the website features a graphic that makes it simple to click and find meeting locations and schedules.
Following the August meetings, the policy process continues with county annual meetings and resolutions meetings in September and October. This is where members bring their ideas, which are then discussed and, if approved, advanced to the state level for consideration at the annual convention.
Investing in the Next Generation
A major focus for Farm Bureau is nurturing the state’s young agriculturalists. Mielke highlighted several key youth events coming up this fall:
- Capital Camp (September 3-4): This mock legislative experience brings high school students to the Oklahoma Capitol, where they write, debate, and pass their own bills. “It’s a great way to spark an interest in our ag youth,” Mielke said, emphasizing the importance of being an advocate for the industry.
- State Fair Livestock Judging Contest (September 15): The Young Farmers and Ranchers committee will sponsor this popular event, which draws more than 1,000 FFA and 4-H members and serves as a major kickoff for the judging year.
- High School Discussion Meet (October 8): This new event gives high school students a chance to practice their discussion skills on important agricultural issues in a format that sits between a debate and a speech contest.
Innovation and Annual Convention
The fall calendar also includes events celebrating innovation and wrapping up the year’s accomplishments. On October 9, the Rural Development Initiative’s Accelerator Program Demo Day will take place, offering a platform for rural innovators to pitch their ideas to investors and the public. “It’s about the closest you’re going to get to, like, Oklahoma Shark Tank,” Farm Director KC Sheperd said, highlighting the excitement of seeing homegrown ideas come to life.
The season culminates with the Oklahoma Farm Bureau annual convention, held from November 7-9 at the Omni Hotel in Oklahoma City. This event is the largest gathering of Oklahoma Farm Bureau members and serves as a celebration of the year’s achievements, with competitive events, awards, and the final discussion of policy resolutions. “It’s really cool just to be able to look back on a year of accomplishment and achievement each year for Oklahoma agriculture,” Mielke concluded.
For more information and to get involved in any of these events, members can visit okfarmbureau.org or follow the organization’s social media, particularly on Facebook.
