We have compiled the following timeline of events, activities and achievements in Oklahoma Farm Bureau history. While no means exhaustive, this timeline provides a chronological guide to key moments in Farm Bureau history.
Our History
Associated Women of OKFB publishes first handbook
In January 1949, the Associated Women of OKFB published a creditable mimeographed booklet, “The Farm Bureau Through Three Decades,” which..Read More
First OKFB magazine published
In 1949, Oklahoma Farm Bureau began publishing news in a 24-page magazine, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Farmer. this format was continued until 1954, when..Read More
State laws on agriculture was recodified
The biggest legislative boost in 1949 was the recodification of state laws on agriculture.
First county office
In April 1949, Kiowa County Farm Bureau became the first county organization to have a county office of their own...Read More
OKFB building committee created
At the May meeting of the OKFB board in 1946, directors Harold Davis, E.G. Jeffrey and W.M. Deck were appointed..Read More
First JFB camp held
The first Oklahoma Junior Farm Bureau Camp was held August 21-23, 1949, held 15 miles west of Lawton, beneath the..Read More
Casualty and fire insurance merged into one entity
In 1949, Oklahoma Farm Bureau members approved a resolution that merged casualty and fire insurance into one entity, the Oklahoma..Read More
Delegates bring new resolutions to convention
Delegates to the 1949 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Convention approved resolutions to recommend the study of water resources and exemption of..Read More
International Youth Exchange program begins
The International Youth Exchange was a temporary program created for 1950 and 1951. When the program began, a total of..Read More
Resolutions introduced to study abandoned minerals
Resolutions adopted at the 1950 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Convention mentioned abandoned minerals and wanted an ad valorem tax levied on..Read More
Only one Oklahoma county without a Farm Bureau
In May 1952, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Farmer reported that Pottawatomie, Rogers and Pawnee counties had organized their own organization, leaving only..Read More
OKFB Votemobile promotes voter registration
During Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s get-out-the-vote campaign in 1952, the organization introduced the Votemobile, a truck with sound reinforcement equipment installed..Read More
OKFB adds two districts and directors
At the 1952 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Convention, two new Farm Bureau districts were created to increase membership, size and potential,..Read More
Contract signed for new OKFB building construction
On Feb. 9, 1953, a contract was signed for construction of a new Oklahoma Farm Bureau home office building near..Read More
Legislature passes bill for rural roads
In 1953, the legislature, under pressure from the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, passed a bill earmarking a portion of gas tax..Read More
Taylor resigns as OKFB president
In August 1953, John I. Taylor resigned as president of Oklahoma Farm Bureau due to pressing family matters. OKFB Vice..Read More
Munn elected as OKFB president
After serving as Oklahoma Farm Bureau president after John I. Taylor resigned, Lewis H. Munn was officially elected to serve..Read More
First county to build its own office
In 1954, Cimarron County Farm Bureau announced it would be the first to build its own county Farm Bureau office.
Congress enacts Public Law 480
Public Law 480, also known as Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, was enacted in 1954 after the..Read More
OKFB promotes Oklahoma Maid of Cotton contest
In 1954, Oklahoma Farm Bureau joined with other organizations to promote the Oklahoma Maid of Cotton contest.
OKFB brings young farmer trainees from Europe to work on U.S. farms
In 1954, Oklahoma Farm Bureau worked with other organizations in a program to bring young farmer trainees from Europe to..Read More
OKFB Farmer converted to tabloid newspaper format
On Jan. 4, 1954, Oklahoma Farm Bureau began publishing the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Farmer in a tabloid newspaper format in order to..Read More
OKFB causes first Oklahoma Senate filibuster
In 1954, Oklahoma Farm Bureau caused the first Oklahoma Senate filibuster when opponents of an agricultural sales tax exemption bill..Read More
New OKFB home office dedicated with open house
On Aug. 3, 1954, the new Oklahoma Farm Bureau home office was dedicated with an open house.
OKFB opposes the taking of private land to expand artillery range
In 1955, Oklahoma Farm Bureau opposed the taking of private land to expand the Fort Sill artillery range. Within four..Read More
OKFB helps win lawsuit involving farmer rights
Frank Carter, OKFB legal counsel, asked the state Supreme Court to permit Farm Bureau to intervene in a lawsuit involving..Read More
Congress enacts Farm Bureau’s soil bank idea
In 1956, the Farm Bureau’s idea of a soil bank to retire fragile land became a reality in Congress.
First legislative success on agriculture sales tax
The first legislative success concerning agriculture sales tax was accomplished in 1957, when a bill granting sales tax exemption for..Read More
OFBMIC affiliates with Western Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company
In 1957, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company affiliated with the Western Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company in Denver.
Annual OKFB Farm Families recognition begins
In 1957, the State Fair of Oklahoma asked Farm Bureau to participate in a special Farmers Day at the fair..Read More
Record Marketable Title Act passes
In 1959, the Record Marketable Title Act passed. Under the law, old defects (such as mortgages) in titles (more than 40..Read More
OKFB Executive Director Dan Arnold retires
In November 1959, Dan Arnold, the executive director of Oklahoma Farm Bureau, retired after more than 15 years of service.
OKFB challenges property tax increase evaluation
When the State Equalization Board raised property taxes again in 1960, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau mounted a campaign to challenge..Read More
OKFB assists with first egg grading law
In 1961, Oklahoma Farm Bureau assisted in the passage of the state’s first egg grading law.
OKFB takes part in water law reform
In 1961, Oklahoma Farm Bureau assisted in water law reform, a process which took about a decade to complete.
OKFB helps build new state fairgrounds
In 1962, Oklahoma Farm Bureau assisted in the building of Oklahoma’s new state fairgrounds in Oklahoma City.
OKFB inaugurates safety service
In July 1962, Oklahoma Farm Bureau began offering a safety service, which, through the county offices, members could purchase a..Read More
OKFB Safemark member benefit begins
In 1964, Oklahoma Farm Bureau launched a tire-and-battery service in response to resolutions adopted at OKFB convention. Members could buy..Read More
Farm Bureau enters the right-to-work battle
In 1964, Farm Bureau entered the right-to-work battle with the policy that an American citizen should be able to quit..Read More
Fertilizer receives tax exemption
In 1965, fertilizer was added to the list of agricultural sales tax exemptions.
OKFB safety unit organized; SMV sign promotion begins
In 1966, Oklahoma Farm Bureau organized a safety unit in the information division led by Jim Williams. With the creation..Read More
OKFB celebrates 25th anniversary
In celebration of Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s 25th anniversary in 1967, Executive Director Dan Arnold asked OKFB members to bring a..Read More
Farm machinery receives sales tax exemption
In 1967, farm machinery was added to the list of purchases exempt from state sales tax.
First stockholders meeting for OKFB’s AgService held
The first stockholders meeting was held Sept. 7, 1967, with Oklahoma Farm Bureau directors serving as AgSerivce directors. This new..Read More
Scenic Rivers Bill defeated
In 1968, Oklahoma Farm Bureau helped defeated the Scenic Rivers Bill.
OFBMIC reaches 10 million in direct written premiums
In 1968, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company reached 10 million in direct written premiums.
AgSecurity Insurance Company organized
In 1968, he AgSecurity Insurance Company was organized as an owned-subsidiary company.
Machinery repair parts exempt from sales tax
In 1969, machinery repair parts were exempted from sales tax.