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’s Meritorious Service Award program begins
In 1990, Oklahoma Farm Bureau began presenting the Meritorious Service Award. The Meritorious Service award was presented to legislators who..Read More
Private property rights bill introduced in Congress
In 1991, a bill concerning private property rights was introduced in Congress.
FB card program begins
In 1991, Oklahoma Farm Bureau launched its FB card program, giving members even more benefits with their OKFB membership.
OKFB helps accomplish Class A for Bangs disease
In June 1991, Oklahoma Farm Bureau helped Oklahoma finally achieved a Class A for Brucellosis or Bangs disease in cattle.
First YF&R Livestock Judging Contest
In 1991, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers held their first statewide livestock judging contest at the Oklahoma State..Read More
OKFB supports petition requiring vote to raise property taxes
In 1992, Oklahoma Farm Bureau supported a petition to amend the state constitution requiring a vote of the people to..Read More
First all-county membership gain recorded
The year 1992 marked the first all-county membership gain recorded by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau.
Merklin elected OKFB president
At the 1993 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Convention, delegates elected H. Eldon Merklin to serve as OKFB president.
Wilson named OKFB Executive Secretary
In 1993, Oklahoma Farm Bureau selected Matt Wilson to serve as OKFB executive secretary.
OKFB Membership tops 100,000
In 1993, Oklahoma Farm Bureau membership topped 100,000 member families for the first time in the organization’s history.
OKFB obtains first fire safety training trailer
In 1991, Oklahoma Farm Bureau obtained its first fire safety training trailer. The trailer provides a non-toxic, realistic smoke simulation, providing..Read More
NAFTA implemented
In 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement was implemented to remove barriers to agricultural trade among the U.S., Canada and..Read More
OFMIC reaches 100 million in direct written premiums
In 1994, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company reached 100 million in direct written premiums.
I CARE program initiated
In 1994, the I CARE program was initiated to inform public of positive youth projects.
Lucas elected to Congress
In 1994, Oklahoma Farm Bureau member Frank Lucas was elected to the United State House of Representatives. Read more about..Read More
OFBMIC reaches 50 million in surplus
In 1995, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company reached 50 million in surplus.
OKFB studies captive supply in the cattle industry
In 1995, Oklahoma Farm Bureau studied captive supply in the cattle industry.
OKFB loses three members in Federal Building bombing
On April 19, 1995, three members of Oklahoma Farm Bureau lost their lives in the Federal Building bombing. OKFB donated..Read More
Ad valorem tax reform becomes reality
Ad valorem tax reform becomes reality following defeat of SQ 669 and subsequent passage of SQ 675, 676 and 677...Read More
OKFB YF&R hosts first speech contest
On March 21, 1996, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers committee held their first YF&R Speech Contest.
Givens elected OKFB president
At the 1997 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Convention, Jack M. Givens was elected to serve as president of OKFB by convention..Read More
OKFB wins first AFBF President’s Award
In 1998, Oklahoma Farm Bureau recorded 10 years of consecutive growth and won its first President’s Award from the American..Read More
Adair County Farm Bureau first to have satellite office
On Sept. 1, 1998, Adair County Farm Bureau became the first county to use the Farm Bureau cost-share satellite office..Read More
Kouplen elected as OKFB president
At the 1999 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Convention, delegates elected Steve Kouplen as president of OKFB.
Safety Services adds additional fire safety trailer
In 2001, Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Safety Services added a second fire safety training trailer to the program. The trailers provide a..Read More
OFB Legal Foundation organized
In March 2001, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Board of Directors created the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation for the purpose..Read More
Oklahoma declared Brucellosis-Free
After a five-decade-long war, Oklahoma was declared Brucellosis-Free on April 25, 2001.
Right-to-Work amendment passes
Through a vote of the people, Oklahoma Farm Bureau helped pass a Right-to-Work amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution in 2001.
First win by OFB Legal Foundation
The legal foundation’s first major win came in 2002 when it obtained a favorable outcome for a state rancher in..Read More
OKAgFund established
At the 2002 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Convention, delegates established the OKAgFund, OKFB’s political action fund to support candidates for state..Read More
OFBMIC achieves more than 200 million in direct written premiums
In 2003, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company achieved more than 200 million in direct written premiums.
Membership reaches 150,000
In 2003, Oklahoma Farm Bureau membership reached above 150,000 member families for the first time.
OKAgFund record 97% success rate
In 2004, the OKAgFund reported a 97 percent success rate in backing candidates for public office during primary elections.
OFBMIC reaches more than 100 million in surplus
In 2005, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company reached more than 100 million surplus.
OKFB joins fight concerning animal waste
In 2005, Oklahoma Farm Bureau joined the legislative fight to prevent animal waste from being declared a hazardous substance and..Read More
Hurricane Katrina
After Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, Oklahoma Farm Bureau members donated to relief funds to support those affected by the..Read More
OFBMIC celebrates 60 years
In 2006, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company celebrated 60 years of service.
OKFB reward program increases to $5,000
In 1988, Oklahoma Farm Bureau increased the cash reward to $5,000 for information leading to arrest and conviction of thieves, arsonists..Read More
Legislature updates trespassing laws
In 2006, the Oklahoma legislature, responding to the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, updated the state trespassing laws by eliminating the requirement..Read More
Trespassing law expanded to include hunting and fishing
In 2007, the state trespassing law updated in 2006 was expanded to include hunting and fishing without permission.
Spradling elected OKFB president
At the 2007 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Convention, delegates elected Mike Spradling as the eighth president of OKFB.
HB 2639 signed into law
In 2008, House Bill 2639 was signed into law, creating a transfer-on-death deed that allows an owner of real property..Read More
Wilke named OKFB Executive Director
In 2009, Monica Wilke was selected to serve as Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Executive Director.
OKFB passes HB 2151
To counter animal rights activist groups, Oklahoma Farm Bureau passed HB 2151, which put the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture in..Read More
OKFB joins Facebook
In 2010, Oklahoma Farm Bureau joined Facebook. To view the OKFB page, click here.
OKFB spearheads defeat of SQ744
In 2010, Oklahoma Farm Bureau spearheaded the effort to defeat SQ 744, which would have required the state to spend the..Read More
OKFB supports annexing land bill
In 2011, Oklahoma Farm Bureau supported a bill that requires a city government to obtain the consent of a majority of..Read More
HB 1249 passes
In 2011, House Bill 1249 removed the exemption under current trespass law that allowed owners to retrieve animals by entering the..Read More