PERSPECTIVE August 7, 2026
OKFB Young Farmers & Ranchers travel to southwest Oklahoma for YF&R Summer Conference early 80 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers members traveled to the Altus area for OKFB’s annual YF&R Summer Conference July 17-19. YF&R members kicked off the weekend on Friday at Power Plus, where father and son duo Todd and Kane Duff showed attendees around their family cattle operation that specializes in feedlot management, a cattle buyback program, and crop and feed production. Attendees then traveled to the Kiowa County Farm Bureau office in Hobart for dinner, where they heard from OKFB Senior Director of Public Policy Gage Milliman about the organization’s top policy issues. On Saturday morning, members toured the Lake Altus-Lugert dam. The tour was led by past OKFB president Tom Buchanan and Jackson County Farm Bureau member and former Sen.
Mike Schulz, both of whom shared the history of the dam, the importance of water infrastructure in the area, and how it aids Oklahoma agriculturists with irrigation water. Following the tour of the dam, the group traveled to Muller farms, a large-scale, drought-tolerant crop production operation. Jackson County Farm Bureau member Matt Muller demonstrated how his operation uses a subsurface drip irrigation system and explained the founding and growth of his family’s farm. The Muller family also received a plaque as recognition for their dedication to OKFB YF&R throughout the years. Attendees then spent the afternoon learning about cotton. From ginning to baling to grading, Jackson County Farm Bureau board member Keeff Felty and representatives from the Plains Cotton Cooperative Association covered cotton
growing necessities. The night ended back at Quartz Mountain Lodge with a mock YF&R Discussion Meet and live music by high school senior Tyse Buck. Sunday morning began with a devotional given by Tulsa County Farm Bureau member and American Farm Bureau YF&R Chair Tommy Salisbury. Salisbury highlighted the importance of stewardship and service with reference to Jesus’ sermon on the mount. After the message, YF&R committee members shared more about themselves and their districts and gave away door prizes to participants. The final event of the weekend promoted a project called Remote Ready Startup, a program that aids in the development of skills and resume building to help rural Oklahomans and Americans become suitable workers for remote positions.