WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) concluded the 2026 All-States Leadership Summit, held in Washington, D.C., where new members were selected to serve on the National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC).
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OKLAHOMA CITY—American Farmers & Ranchers Cooperative President Scott Blubaugh released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026: “It has been a long road to getting a farm bill passed out of the House; I applaud Chairman Thompson’s efforts to get us one step closer to providing long-needed certainty for Oklahoma’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
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OKLAHOMA CITY—Twenty agricultural youth from across Oklahoma have earned top placings in the 2026 American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Agricultural Achievement Contest. The contest was conducted in conjunction with the Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE) in Oklahoma City March 10-20. This year, AFR presented $15,000 in prizes to contestants prior to the Oklahoma Youth Expo Grand Drive March 19.
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OKLAHOMA CITY—Wildfires have burned significant acreage in the Oklahoma Panhandle in recent days, with impacted land in the region exceeding 300,000 acres. With more high-fire-danger days ahead, American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Insurance Company (AFR Insurance), Oklahoma Farm Bureau (OKFB) and Oklahoma Farm Bureau Insurance have teamed up to help the fire departments working tirelessly to protect lives and property.
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NORMAN—American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) hosted the organization’s 121st annual state convention at the Embassy Suites & Conference Center – Norman Feb. 13-15. The event featured educational speakers and entertainment, the annual business meeting of Oklahoma Farmers Union and American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Insurance Company, discussion and adoption of AFR legislative policy and officer elections. This year’s convention theme was “Delivering on our Promises.”
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STILLWATER—American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) wrapped up its annual fall speech contest series Saturday Dec. 6 at Oklahoma State University (OSU) in Stillwater. This marks the 80th year of the statewide contest. The event has gone through many changes over the years but has always maintained its central agricultural theme. Varying by grade level, this year’s speech categories are AFR/OFU, Agricultural Policy, Agribusiness, Natural Resources, Extemporaneous, Animal Science and Agri-Science.
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ENID— American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) kick started its annual fall speech contest series Thursday, Nov. 20 at Autry Technology Center in Enid. This marks the 80th year of the statewide contests. The event has gone through many changes over the years but has always maintained its central agricultural theme. Varying by grade level, this year’s speech categories are AFR/OFU, Agricultural Policy, Agribusiness, Natural Resources, Extemporaneous, Animal Science and Agri-Science.
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CACHE— American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) continued its annual fall speech contest series on Monday, Nov. 17 at Cache High School in Cache. This marks the 80th year of the statewide contests. The event has gone through many changes over the years but has always maintained its central agricultural theme. Varying by grade level, this year’s speech categories are AFR/OFU, Agricultural Policy, Agribusiness, Natural Resources, Extemporaneous, Animal Science and Agri-Science.
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WILBURTON— American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) continued its annual fall speech contest series on Thursday, Nov. 13 at Eastern Oklahoma State College (EOSC) in Wilburton. This marks the 80th year of the statewide contests. The event has gone through many changes over the years but has always maintained its central agricultural theme. Varying by grade level, this year’s speech categories are AFR/OFU, Agricultural Policy, Agribusiness, Natural Resources, Extemporaneous, Animal Science and Agri-Science.
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SAPULPA— American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) continued its annual fall speech contest series on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at Lone Star Elementary in Sapulpa. This marks the 80th year of the statewide contests. The event has gone through many changes over the years but has always maintained its central agricultural theme. Varying by grade level, this year’s speech categories are AFR/OFU, Agricultural Policy, Agribusiness, Natural Resources, Extemporaneous, Animal Science and Agri-Science.
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TECUMSEH— American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) kick started its annual fall speech contest series Monday Nov. 10 at Tecumseh High School in Tecumseh. This marks the 80th year of the statewide contests. The event has gone through many changes over the years but has always maintained its central agricultural theme. Varying by grade level, this year’s speech categories are AFR/OFU, Agricultural Policy, Agribusiness, Natural Resources, Extemporaneous, Animal Science and Agri-Science.
Press ReleasesRead MoreFollowing President Trump’s comments late last week about expanding beef imports from Argentina to lower prices for American consumers, AFR Cooperative has been closely monitoring the discussion in hopes of hearing a reversal or explanation out of Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, no additional information has materialized from either the White House or from USDA Secretary Rollins.
Press ReleasesRead MoreOKLAHOMA CITY—Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond joined 10 other state attorneys general in filing an amicus brief this week in support of accurate beef labeling. In the U.S., large beef processors label foreign-sourced beef products under the “Product of USA” label by processing or packaging the products in the U.S.
Press ReleasesRead More“AFR is pleased to hear the good news that AG Drummond was successful in the state’s pursuit of delisting the lesser prairie chicken as an endangered species. This ruling will remove burdensome LPC regulations that negatively impact our rural communities. It’s a vindicating win for Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers, who have long known that volunteer-based conservation can and does work.”
Press ReleasesRead MoreOn June 30, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced risk-based port re-openings for cattle, bison and equines from Mexico beginning as early as July 7, 2025. The borders had been closed to live cattle imports since May 11, 2025, due to the threat of New World Screwworms (NWS) entering the U.S. at that time NWS had been detected as close as 700 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.
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OKLAHOMA CITY—American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Cooperative has selected Cara Comstock, Wann, to lead the AFR Youth Program. As AFR Youth Coordinator, Comstock will develop and facilitate all AFR Youth Program activities and guide the program as it continues to grow.
Press ReleasesRead MoreOKLAHOMA CITY—In the wake of devastating wildfires that swept the state on March 14, Gov. Kevin Stitt has expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the Oklahoma Forestry Service (OFS) and proposed disbanding the agency altogether. He has further suggested OFS funds could be diverted to local fire departments.
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OKLAHOMA CITY—Twenty agricultural youth from across Oklahoma have earned top placings in the 2025 American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Agricultural Achievement Contest. The contest was conducted in conjunction with the Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE) in Oklahoma City March 11-21. This year, AFR presented $15,000 in prizes to contestants prior to the Oklahoma Youth Expo Grand Drive March 20.
Press ReleasesRead MoreOKLAHOMA CITY— Twenty-eight Oklahoma youth were recognized as recipients of the 2024 American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Cooperative Statewide Scholarship at the 2025 AFR Annual Convention.
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OKLAHOMA CITY—More than 2,000 students statewide competed in the 2024 American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Cooperative Poster Contest. Participation is limited to Oklahoma elementary students in two age divisions—Division I for students in grades 1-2 and Division II for students in grades 3-4. The top five posters in each division received cash awards.
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American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) hosted the organization’s 120th annual state convention at the Embassy Suites & Conference Center – Norman Feb. 21-23. The event features educational speakers and entertainment, the annual business meeting of Oklahoma Farmers Union and American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Insurance Company, discussion and adoption of AFR legislative policy and officer elections. This year’s convention theme is “R.A.I.L.S.”
Press ReleasesRead MoreAmerican Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) will host its 120th annual state convention at the Embassy Suites & Conference Center – Norman Feb. 21-23. This year’s convention theme is “R.A.I.L.S.”
Press ReleasesRead MoreSTILLWATER—American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) wrapped up its annual fall speech contest series Saturday Dec. 7 at Oklahoma State University (OSU) in Stillwater. This marks the 79th year of the statewide contest. The event has gone through many changes over the years but has always maintained its central agricultural theme. Varying by grade level, this year’s speech categories are AFR/OFU, Agricultural Policy, Agribusiness, Natural Resources, Extemporaneous and Agri-Science.
Press ReleasesRead MoreAmerican Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) continued its annual fall speech contest series Thursday, Nov. 21 the Autry Technology Center in Enid. This marks the 79th year of the statewide contests. The event has gone through many changes over the years but has always maintained its central agricultural theme. Varying by grade level, this year’s speech categories are AFR/OFU, Agricultural Policy, Agribusiness, Natural Resources, Extemporaneous and Agri-Science.
Press ReleasesRead MoreThe U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division announced a significant expansion of its efforts to address agricultural issues, with a plan to increase staffing dedicated to civil and criminal enforcement in the sector. Michael Kades, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the DOJ Antitrust Division, made this announcement at R-CALF USA’s 2024 Annual National Convention June 21 in Deadwood, S.D.
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Ten agricultural youth from across Oklahoma have earned top placings in the 2024 American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Agricultural Achievement Contest. The contest was conducted in conjunction with the Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE) in Oklahoma City March 13-22. This year, AFR presented $5,000 in prizes to contestants prior to the Oklahoma Youth Expo Grand Drive March 21.
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The Farmers Union Foundation Inc. board of directors met Monday, March 4 to authorize the Foundation to expend up to $10,000 to purchase barbed wire supplies for Western Oklahoma counties impacted by wildfires including Harper, Ellis and Roger Mills Counties. The approved match funds can be matched by members, non-members, local and county organizations, or others up to the $10,000 commitment.
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American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) hosted the organization’s 119th annual state convention at the Embassy Suites & Conference Center – Norman Feb. 23-25. The event features educational speakers and entertainment, the annual business meeting of Oklahoma Farmers Union and American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Insurance Company, discussion and adoption of AFR legislative policy and officer elections. This year’s convention theme is “Serving Through the Storm.”
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American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) will host its 119th annual state convention at the Embassy Suites & Conference Center – Norman Feb. 23-25. This year’s convention theme is “Serving Through the Storm.”
Press ReleasesRead MoreAmerican Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) wrapped up its annual fall speech contest series Saturday Dec. 2 at Oklahoma State University (OSU) in Stillwater.
Press ReleasesRead MoreAmerican Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) recently presented two Oklahoma legislators—Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) and Rep. Kevin Hern (OK-01)—with the National Association of Mutual Insurance Company’s (NAMIC) Benjamin Franklin Public Policy Award. The awards were presented in Washington, D.C., the week of Sept. 11, when AFR members were on Capitol Hill lobbying Congress on behalf of agriculture and insurance issues.
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If you ask many of the farmers who lived through the 1980s Farm Crisis, they’ll tell you there was once an angel who took their call—an Oklahoman named Mona Lee Brock.
Press ReleasesRead MoreAmerican Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Cooperative will host more 270 Oklahoma students next week as they learn to be effective leaders in their homes, schools and communities. Held at the Heartland Conference Center in Midwest City, the 2023 AFR Leadership Summit will be divided into two sessions: Teen Session for students entering grades 7-9 and Senior Session for students entering grades 10-12.
Press ReleasesRead MoreFederal legislation introduced by an Oklahoma congressman has many of the state’s farmers and ranchers hopeful for a reprieve from a new antibiotic regulation. The Stop Government Overreach in Ranching Act was introduced to Congress June 12 by Congressmen Josh Brecheen (R-OK) and Eric Burlison (R-MO). American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Cooperative is supportive of this legislation, which would reverse the Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) Guidance for Industry (GFI) #263.
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You never know where your policy journey will take you. That’s something Woodward County AFR Member Tim Bates learned firsthand this January when he traveled to Berlin, Germany, to represent National Farmers Union (NFU) on the global stage.
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Young farmers and ranchers from Oklahoma, South Dakota and North Dakota gathered in Deadwood, S.D., Jan. 20-21 for professional and personal skills building and cross-state networking. The inaugural Tri-State Producers Conference celebrated a successful first event and participants went home with skills that will help them grow their operations.
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American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) hosted the organization’s 118th annual state convention at the Embassy Suites & Conference Center – Norman Feb. 17-19. The event features educational speakers and entertainment, the annual business meeting of Oklahoma Farmers Union and American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Insurance Company, discussion and adoption of AFR legislative policy and officer elections. This year’s convention theme was “Honor Tradition, Embrace Change.”
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AFR stands with AG Drummond and his lawsuit against U.S. Fish & Wildlife in regards to the listing of the Lesser Prairie Chicken as an endangered species and the regulations and restrictions that accompany that listing. Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers are the ultimate conservationists; no one knows about best conservation practices for their properties better than they do.
Press ReleasesRead MoreAmerican Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) will host its 118th annual state convention at the Embassy Suites & Conference Center – Norman Feb. 17-19. This year’s convention theme is “Honor Tradition, Embrace Change.”
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Terry Detrick, Lahoma, received the Oklahoma Farmers Union Meritorious Service Award at the 117th Annual American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) State Convention. The award was presented by AFR Cooperative President Scott Blubaugh at the convention banquet Feb. 13.
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Ten agricultural youth from across Oklahoma have earned top placings in the 2022 American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Agricultural Achievement Contest. The contest was conducted in conjunction with the Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE) in Oklahoma City March 11-18. This year, AFR presented $5,000 in prizes to contestants prior to the Oklahoma Youth Expo Grand Drive March 17.
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You are invited to join the White House and Oklahoma community partners for a special Building A Better America event on President Biden’s priorities for Oklahoma families and communities. This post‐State of the Union event will take place on Monday, March 14 at 2:00pm CT.
Press ReleasesRead MoreSenate Bill 1647—known as the Oklahoma Empowerment Act—is drawing increasing concern from rural lawmakers who worry the legislation could reduce state funding dollars for rural public schools. The proposed legislation is a “school choice” bill that would allow any student to use state funds to cover costs associated with private school or homeschool attendance through the use of “school vouchers.”
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American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) hosted the organization’s 117th annual state convention at the Embassy Suites & Conference Center – Norman Feb. 11-13. The event features educational speakers and entertainment, the annual business meeting of Oklahoma Farmers Union and American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Insurance Company, discussion and adoption of AFR legislative policy and officer elections. This year’s convention theme was “One AFR.”
Press ReleasesRead MoreTwenty‐five Oklahoma youth were recognized as recipients of the 2022 American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Cooperative Statewide Scholarship.
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The Delaware County American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Cooperative organization recently donated $2,000 to agricultural education efforts in Delaware County. Through the total amount donated, $500 was given to the Delaware County OSU Extension Office and $300 each was given to the Grove, Jay, Colcord, Kansas and Oaks FFA chapters.
Press ReleasesRead MoreRichey Insurance Agency of Blanchard recently donated $10,000 to Shiloh Christian Academy. The gift will be used to fund the Lorene Brandon Scholarship for Children, a needs-based scholarship that covers tuition for two Shiloh Christian Academy students for the 2021-2022 school year.
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Five agriculture and mineral owner groups this week announced the formation of the Royalty Owner Coalition of Oklahoma, a non‐profit corporation to create a structured, consistent and strong voice for the interests of Oklahoma mineral owners.
Press ReleasesRead MoreAmerican Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) has received a 2021 Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award. The award is designed to highlight successful partnerships between higher education institutions and businesses. AFR was nominated by Connors State College (CSC) in recognition of their longstanding partnership.
Press ReleasesRead MoreAmerican Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) Cooperative has gifted Connors State College (CSC) an endowment scholarship of $10,000. The gift will be used to fund a scholarship award for the CSC Top Agricultural Student each year.
Press ReleasesRead MoreThe American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Cooperative Local #527 recently participated in the 23rd Annual Jay Cruise Night. The event marks the first year for the AFR Local organization to participate in the community event. AFR Local #527 is backed by Matt and Mitzi Lane of Teel-Lane Insurance Agency in Jay.
Press ReleasesRead MoreNational Farmers Union (NFU) recently joined five other national organizations representing cattle producers to agree to work jointly on urgent issues in the cattle marketplace. The organizations convened at the request of Livestock Marketing Association in Phoenix, Ariz., May 10.
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American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) contributed more than $10,000 to the effort to rebuild the Poteau High School Agriculture Building after a February 2021 fire. The building housed many of the Poteau FFA Chapter’s activities.
Press ReleasesRead MoreLike many American farmers and ranchers, Clay Pope, Loyal, has experienced more frequent and severe weather extremes in recent years. But with the support of voluntary, incentive-based government programs, the American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) member and sixth-generation rancher has made his family’s operation more resilient to unpredictable precipitation patterns and wild temperature swings.
Press ReleasesRead MoreA.J. and Aliene Bristow, McAlester, have been recognized for their dedication to rural Oklahoma with the National Farmers Union (NFU) Bruce Miller Membership Award. The award honors Farmers Union members who demonstrate the mission and vision of National farmers Union. The Bristows are longtime American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) members in Pittsburg County.
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Clay Pope, Loyal, has completed his two-year tenure as the American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) representative to the National Farmers Union (NFU) Policy Drafting Committee. Pope is a lifelong AFR/OFU member with family ties to the organization stretching back decades.
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Rodney Unruh, Elk City, has completed his term as the American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) representative to the National Farmers Union (NFU) Credentials and Rules Committee. Unruh is a lifelong AFR/OFU member and served on the AFR/OFU Policy Committee in 2020.
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American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) will host its 116th annual state convention at the Embassy Suites & Conference Center – Norman Feb. 12-13. This year’s convention is virtual, with in-personal attendance reserved for voting only.
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Kicking off 2021 with a bang, American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) Cooperative is excited to announce a new opportunity for Oklahoma's ranchers—the Oklahoma Certified Beef Association (OCBA).
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