PERSPECTIVE January 24, 2024
OKFB Leadership Conference set for Feb. 18; registration now open online
OKFB, foundation for ag announce large-animal vet scholarship klahoma Farm Bureau and the OKFB Foundation for Agriculture have launched a new large-animal veterinarian scholarship in an effort to help create a pipeline of veterinarians who can provide essential services to farmers and ranchers. One scholarship will be awarded in the amount of $15,000 to a student who is studying veterinary medicine at Oklahoma State University with the intent of working as a large-animal veterinarian in Oklahoma. “Oklahoma Farm Bureau members are all too aware of the shortage of large animal veterinarians in our state who are essential to providing critical services and helping farmers and ranchers care for their livestock,” said OKFB Foundation for Agriculture President David VonTungeln. “OKFB and our foundation are proud to provide financial support for a student who will soon work in a rural Oklahoma community helping local agriculturalists care for their
animals in the best way possible.” The large animal veterinarian scholarship program focuses on providing reimbursement for students’ tuition and other educational expenses. Students who apply will be required to sign a letter of intent to provide largeanimal veterinary services or to practice in a veterinary resource shortage area. Also required with the application is biographical and personal statements along with supporting letters from public officials and/or state agencies. The deadline for scholarship submissions is March 15. To be eligible for the scholarship, the student must be a U.S. citizen, be enrolled at the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, be eligible for Oklahoma licensure as a veterinarian and intend to practice in a veterinary resource shortage area. To download the application, please visit the applications page at okfb.news/applications.
klahoma Farm Bureau will host its annual Leadership Conference for OKFB members Tuesday, Feb. 18, in Oklahoma City at the Embassy Suites Downtown Medical Center. The one-day conference features updates for Farm Bureau members and a chance to network with fellow OKFB leaders, state legislators and guests. The conference is scheduled to begin at 12:15 p.m. with a luncheon and welcome. The afternoon will feature hands-on trainings and updates for OKFB members. OKFB members will have a chance to visit with legislators during the reception beginning at 6 p.m., with a dinner and legislative awards to follow at 7:30 p.m. Legislators will be recognized for their work during the 2024 Oklahoma legislative session during dinner. Members can register for the event online at okfb.news/leadership25. Hotel rooms are available for the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 18, and can be requested when registering on the OKFB website. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis at a special room rate of $137 per night plus a $9 per night parking fee. More details will be shared on the OKFB website at okfb.news/ leadership25 as they become available.