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
OKFB helps form Tax Equality Committee
In 1970, Oklahoma Farm Bureau joined with the Oklahoma Farmers Union and the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association to form a Tax..Read More
OKFB hires 1st legislative staff
In 1970, Oklahoma Farm Bureau hired the first legislative staff member to help follow up on pending legislation.
Additional wing added to OKFB home office
In 1971, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company began its own building program, adding an adjoining structure to the..Read More
YPC changes name to Young Farmers & Ranchers committee
In 1971, Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Young People’s Committee changed its name to the OKFB Young Farmers & Ranchers committee.
Commercial applicators for fertilizer receive tax exemption
In 1972, a sales tax exemption was granted to commercial applicators for fertilizer.
The Tax Equality Committee obtains a referendum and Land Use Taxation passes
The year 1972 was considered a banner year. After many failures, Oklahoma Farm Bureau finally won legislative referral of our..Read More
Commercial lines introduced to OFBMIC
In 1973, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company introduced commercial lines.
State legislature raises threshold of estate tax
Under pressure from Oklahoma Farm Bureau, the Oklahoma legislature passed a bill to raise the threshold of the estate tax..Read More
Tax exemptions include poultry stock
In 1973, tax exemptions for poultry stock were granted to Oklahoma farmers and ranchers.
Trailer identification law suggested by a county Farm Bureau
In 1973, strong cattle prices led to increased cattle thefts. To help identify rustlers, legislators suggested livestock trailers be identified..Read More
OKFB $500 reward signs first offered
In January 1974, Oklahoma Farm Bureau began offering reward signs for a new property protection service to help deter theft,..Read More
Trailer identification signed into law
After a resolution for trailer identification was approved at the 1973 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Convention, Oklahoma Gov. Dan Hall signed..Read More
OKFB launches MEATCHEK promotion
In November 1974, Oklahoma Farm Bureau began the MEATCHEK promotion, a positive approach to meat promotion to bolster the sagging..Read More
Jarvis elected OKFB president
At the 1975 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Convention, delegates elected Billy H. Jarvis as president of OKFB.
OKFB helps Senate Bill 98 pass
In 1976, Oklahoma Farm Bureau helped the passage of Senate Bill 98, which exempted seed, repair parts and agricultural chemicals..Read More
OFBMIC reaches 10 million in surplus
In 1977, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company reached 10 million in surplus.
OKFB active in legislative bills
In 1977, Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s bill on abandoned minerals passed the Oklahoma Senate, as well as the gas well spacing,..Read More
Lockett elected OKFB president
At the 1977 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Convention, delegates elected James L. Lockett to serve as OKFB president.
Exemption for all agriculture products granted
After years of hard work, Oklahoma Farm Bureau finally convinced the Oklahoma Tax Commission to grant a blanket exemption for all..Read More
Unclaimed Property Act passed
In 1978, the Unclaimed Property Act was passed to trigger action to allow determination of abandonment of minerals by missing..Read More
Bill passes to restrict agencies from taking land
In 1979, Oklahoma Farm Bureau joined other agriculture groups to pass a bill in the Oklahoma legislature that required legislative..Read More
Water rights strengthened
In 1979, water again provided a subject of controversy in the legislature with a Farm Bureau-backed bill allowing for involvement..Read More
OKFB participates in OAHEC to give more funds to OSU research and education
In 1979, President Jim Lockett and Executive Secretary Ken McFall participated in the Oklahoma Agriculture and Home Economics Coalition with..Read More
OKFB launches “Roads Now” campaign
On Oct. 5, 1979, Oklahoma Farm Bureau launched the “Roads Now” campaign. This coalition is credited with securing the largest..Read More
Legislature grants exemption to workers comp laws
In 1980, the Oklahoma legislature granted an exemption to workers compensation laws for farmers whose cash payroll did not exceed..Read More
OKFB takes lead in tax reform conference
In 1980, Oklahoma Farm Bureau took the lead in arranging a conference in July to deal with problems of implementing..Read More
Kingfisher County Farm Bureau president builds state’s first commercial solar greenhouse.
In 1980, the Kingfisher County Farm Bureau president built the state’s first commercial solar greenhouse.
OKFB passes bill for nuisance suit protection
In 1980, Oklahoma Farm Bureau was responsible for the passage of a bill to give farmers protection from nuisance suits..Read More
OKFB plan adopted for water resources development
In 1981, Oklahoma Farm Bureau delegates adopted a plan for statewide water resources development, which pledged statewide development of our..Read More
Estate tax exemption raised to $175,000
In 1981, the estate tax exemption was raised to $175,000.
OKFB Women’s Committee holds first Farm City Festival
Many of the women from across the state came to Oklahoma City with food items made from Oklahoma crops and..Read More
Bill passes for surface damage
In 1982, Oklahoma Farm Bureau finally succeeded in passing a surface damage bill, with Rep. Vernon Dunn playing a key..Read More
OKFB delegates want “return to the basics” in education
In 1982, Oklahoma Farm Bureau delegates were critical of school curricula, which helped spearhead a resolution calling for a “return..Read More
OFBMIC reaches 50 million in direct written premiums
In 1982, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company reached 50 million in direct written premiums.
Abandoned minerals and royalty owners issue highlighted
In 1983, Oklahoma Farm Bureau succeeded in amending OKFB’s 1978 law to allow any mineral or surface owner to bring action..Read More
Litter laws and trespass laws are toughened
In 1983, litter laws were toughened, and trespass laws were clarified to make it easier for landowners to control access..Read More
Increases in motor fuels tax help maintain state’s rural roads
The year 1984 was described by many veterans of the legislature as one of the toughest years. The legislature was..Read More
OKFB works to dedicate revenue to rural roads
After the legislature raised the gasoline tax by a dime, Oklahoma Farm Bureau worked to see that $22 million of..Read More
OKFB helps remove ag from “fast track” foreclosure bill
In 1986, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau helped remove agriculture from the “fast track” foreclosure bill.
OKFB helps pass tort reform bill
In 1986, Oklahoma Farm Bureau helped pass a bill on tort reform.
Brucellosis bill passes
In 1987, the Oklahoma legislature passed a bill to help with the eradication of brucellosis.
Economic development laws pass
In 1987, multiple laws dealing with economic development pass in the Oklahoma legislature.
OKFB Property Owners Protest Committee formed
In 1988, Oklahoma Farm Bureau members formed the Property Owners Protest Committee with the purpose of battling new ad valorem..Read More
OKFB reward increases to $1,000
In 1988, Oklahoma Farm Bureau increased the cash reward to $1,000 for information leading to arrest and conviction of thieves, arsonists..Read More
Additional farm machinery and repair parts added to exemptions
In 1989, farmers and ranchers gained tax exemptions for farm machinery and repair parts using in custom agricultural operations.
OKFB members lobby for private property rights bill
In 1990, Oklahoma Farm Bureau members lobbied congressmen to pass a bill that protected private property rights.
McFall retires
In 1990, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Executive Secretary Ken McFall retired from his position.
U.S. Supreme Court rules Rails to Trails Act constitutional
In 1990, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Rails to Trails Act was constitutional.