PERSPECTIVE July 24, 2026
FFA members hone their communications skills at the 2026 OKFB FFA Communications Conference early 100 FFA members learned how to share their FFA chapters’ stories and the agriculture message at Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s sixth-annual FFA Communications Conference held Monday, July 13, in Edmond. The OKFB FFA Communications Conference is an annual event for FFA members from across the state to build their communications skills while learning about career opportunities in agricultural communications. Students had the opportunity to learn communications skills during
breakout sessions taught by professional agricultural communicators spanning photography, graphic design, social media and videography. The students were given hands-on lessons and information to help them develop their skillset and prepare them to share their FFA activities throughout the upcoming school year. Students also gathered for group sessions where they heard from several speakers, including State FFA Advisor Scott Nemecek who shared the importance of proper communication
in our daily lives. FFA members learned about the numerous youth programs and opportunities provided by OKFB, and OKFB Vice President of Communications and Public Relations Dustin Mielke wrapped up the event with a discussion on messaging and how to apply the skills and concepts students learned throughout the day. FFA members had the chance to win their choice of a video mic kit or a phone gimbal by submitting a photo, video, social media post or written article they created during the conference.
YF&R Shotgun Shoot Fundraiser Registration due Aug. 7 Friday, Aug. 21 • Guthrie Registration and sponsorships due August 7
OKFB’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee will host their annual Shotgun Shoot Fundraiser at Silverleaf Shotgun Sports in Guthrie on Friday, Aug. 21. Register as a team, a single shooter or a sponsor by Aug. 7.
Learn more and register online at okfb.news/shotgun26
OKFB pleased with newly proposed settlement in long-running State of Oklahoma poultry case Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Stacy Simunek released the following statement after the State of Oklahoma and 11 Arkansas-based poultry companies announced Monday, July 13, that a nearly $44 million settlement had been reached in the decades-long lawsuit regarding the application of chicken litter in the Illinois River Watershed.
“Oklahoma Farm Bureau members are pleased with the proposed settlement reached between the State of Oklahoma and 11 poultry companies operating in Oklahoma’s Illinois River Watershed over the state’s long-running lawsuit that was based on outdated science and production methods. “The original lawsuit, filed in 2005, created uncertainty for family farmers and ranchers for more than two decades, and this agreement provides a way for Oklahoma farm and ranch families to continue their important work to feed Americans without being unnecessarily burdened. “We appreciate Attorney General Drummond working with the poultry industry to reach a proposed solution that allows the poultry companies and our family farmers to continue to produce the food products we all rely upon while ensuring our shared natural resources are safeguarded for generations to come. “Our state’s farmers and ranchers, including poultry producers in the Illinois River Watershed, are committed to implementing voluntary environmental stewardship practices each and every day to ensure their land is productive and our rural communities are protected.” What is next
OKFB has been told the proposed settlement will be presented to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, which is currently considering the poultry companies’ appeal to the December 2025 judgment passed down from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, which reportedly will also have to approve the agreement.
What the proposal includes As part of the proposed settlement, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said the poultry companies have agreed to: • Pay $41,671,000 into a fund for stewardship and litigation costs • Pay a combined $420,000 in penalties to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality Revolving Fund • Fund a combined $1.9 million Auditor Fund to pay for an agreed-upon independent compliance monitor • Progressively reduce how much poultry litter removed from poultry houses each year is applied to the land within the watershed — from no more than 40% in years one and two to no more than 30% in years three and four, down to no more than 20% in years five through seven • Fund, or secure funding for, half the cost of installing vegetative buffers on qualifying poultry farms along Lake Tenkiller and the watershed’s scenic rivers • Submit to annual compliance certifications and audits with financial penalties for any company that does not meet its litterreduction commitments
Make plans to attend your local August Area Meeting klahoma Farm Bureau members will gather across all nine OKFB districts through a series of 11 August Area Meetings to kick off Farm Bureau’s grassroots policy development process. Each meeting will feature an open discussion for OKFB members to talk about the issues they face on their farms and ranches, updates on our organization’s numerous programs and events, and a meal. Each meeting starts at 6 p.m. If you have any questions, contact your field representative.
2026 OKFB August Area Meeting dates by district District 1 West – Guymon Monday, August 24 Hunny’s BBQ • 103 N Main St
District 1 East – Woodward Monday, August 31 Red Prairie Steakhouse • 3113 Williams Ave
District 2 – Elk City Tuesday, August 18 Simon’s Catch • 19565 E 1140 Rd
District 3 – El Reno Monday, August 17 Redlands College • 1300 S Country Club Rd
District 4 West – Lawton Monday, August 3 Comanche Co. Fairgrounds • 920 SW Sheridan Rd
District 4 East – Ardmore Tuesday, August 4 Murray Events Center 108 E Main St
District 5 – McAlester Thursday, August 20 Southeast Expo Center • 4500 West US-270
District 6 – Pryor Thursday, August 13 Moore Farms Events Barn • 9353 W 500 Rd
District 7 – Enid Thursday, August 6 Crosspoint Church • 2500 N Van Buren St
District 8 – Purcell Thursday, August 27 McClain Co. Expo Center • 1715 Hardcastle Blvd.
District 9 – Kellyville Thursday, July 30 Creek Co. Fairgrounds • 17808 W OK-66
All meetings begin at 6 p.m.
OKFB leaders gather at White House with national Farm Bureau presidents to hear from administration officials klahoma Farm Bureau President Stacy Simunek and Tulsa County Farm Bureau member and American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Chairman Tommy Salisbury joined fellow state Farm Bureau presidents and leaders from around the country at the White House on
Thursday, July 9, to meet with Trump administration officials including U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin. The group had the opportunity to meet with Zeldin and administration officials to discuss issues that impact agriculture and our local communities.
Hughes County wins Q2 Rural Growth Challenge ughes County Farm Bureau is the winner for the second quarter of 2026 Rural Growth Challenge presented by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau rural economic development department. As the Q2 winners, Hughes County won a dinner for their Farm Bureau board courtesy of OKFB’s Rural Economic Development Department. The county will also receive a $250 check that they can donate to a local FFA Chapter or 4-H Club to support youth in agriculture in Hughes County. County Farm Bureaus can now submit the names of local businesses for Q3 2026 online at okfb.news/rgchallenge.
Noble County Farm Bureau hosts annual Ice Cream Social oble County Farm Bureau members gathered on Monday, July 13, in Perry for their annual Ice Cream Social candidate forum, a traditional smalltown, town-hall-style gathering of Farm Bureau members and political candidates. The group heard from several candidates running for public office including OKFB Ag Fund-endorsed candidates Sen. Chuck Hall, Rep. Dillon Travis and Oklahoma House District 38 candidate Madison Bolay. Sen. Hall also previewed upcoming state questions that will appear on both the August 25 primary runoff election and the November general election. The Noble County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee prepared homemade desserts and served ice cream and refreshments to attendees.
Sen. Chuck Hall
Madison Bolay
Rep. Dillon Travis
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STAFF DIRECTORY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Thad Doye
(405) 523-2438 VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Dustin Mielke
(405) 530-2640 ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RELATIONS AND ADVOCACY COMMUNICATIONS
Rachel Havens
(405) 523-2346
OKFB WLC shares OKFB resources at state AITC meeting embers of Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Women’s Leadership Committee supported the Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom program at the 2026 AITC conference Tuesday, July 7, in Edmond.
The WLC members presented a workshop to connect teachers and educators with the numerous educational resources available through Farm Bureau and shared how OKFB
supports the AITC program. WLC members also hosted a booth where they met with teachers, and the group gave away two bushel baskets of books to two conference attendees.