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1970s

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Increased legislative pressure

By the 1970s, Oklahoma Farm Bureau members had harnessed the power of speaking as one voice for agriculture. After a few decades of experience at the state Capitol, OKFB had experienced both successes and failures in a variety of agricultural issues. With the increasing involvement in legislative matters, OKFB leaders recognized the need for a staff member to follow up on pending legislation. OKFB hired Bob Barr as the first legislative specialist in 1970. Barr was a Dover farmer and former legislator.

In 1970s, OKFB joined with the Oklahoma Farmers Union and the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association to form a Tax Equality Committee. The main goal of the group was a referendum on ad valorem assessments on “use value,” and to remove tax on personal property. In 1972, the committee obtained a referendum and the land use taxation passed in August.

In 1973, strong cattle prices led to increased cattle thefts. To help identify rustlers, legislators suggested livestock trailers be identified by using a mandatory state license tag. To save money and provide an easier option, Oklahoma Farm Bureau members suggested that farmers, ranchers and owners of stock trailers be required to display their drivers license number on the back of their trailers, which also allowed highway patrolmen to check the driver without even stopping the vehicle. The idea was adopted at the OKFB convention in November 1973 and signed into law by Oklahoma Gov. Dan Hall in April 1974, less than six months later.

OKFB also made great strides toward a longtime public policy effort: tax exemptions. After a few successes in the 1960s, sales tax exemption was granted to commercial applicators for fertilizer, poultry stock, seed, repair parts and agricultural chemicals in the early 1970s. After a 35-year-long effort, OKFB finally achieved a blanket exemption of farm inputs from sales taxes in 1978.

In 1979, OKFB launched the “Roads Now” campaign, a coalition that is credited with securing the largest annual increase in road funding the state’s history. It also served as the beginning of a long-range state-financed county bridge construction program.

community involvement and member benefits

Farm Bureau began its reward sign program in 1974, offering $500 rewards for information on crimes committed on Farm Bureau members’ property where the signs were posted. The reward amount later increased to $1,000 in 1988 and to $5,000 in 2006.

The 1970s also saw the expansion of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau home office in Oklahoma City, adding an adjoining structure to the one built in the 1950s.

In 1974, Oklahoma Farm Bureau kicked off the MEATCHEK program to encourage Farm Bureau members and others to purchase gift certificates redeemable for beef, pork, lamb or poultry at participating grocery stores. The program was designed as a positive approach to meat promotion to bolster the sagging livestock market. The promotion was held annually until 1992.

Leadership changes

After Lewis H. Munn retired in 1975, delegates elected Billy Jarvis as the third president of OKFB. Jarvis was a Seminole County farmer who attended the inaugural meeting of OKFB in 1942 and helped organize Seminole County Farm Bureau.

A few years later in 1977, James L. Lockett was elected as OKFB president. With the second-longest term as president, Lockett led OKFB through several farm crises and fought in support of farmers and rancher through a variety of legislative battles at the Capitol.


Timeline: The 1970s

1970s

1970
January 1, 1970

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

January 1, 1970

OKFB hires 1st legislative staff

In 1970, Oklahoma Farm Bureau hired the first legislative staff member to help follow up on pending legislation.

1971
January 1, 1971

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

January 1, 1971

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.

1972
January 1, 1972

Commercial applicators for fertilizer receive tax exemption

In 1972, a sales tax exemption was granted to commercial applicators for fertilizer.

August 1, 1972

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

1973
January 1, 1973

Commercial lines introduced to OFBMIC

In 1973, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company introduced commercial lines.

January 1, 1973

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

January 1, 1973

Tax exemptions include poultry stock

In 1973, tax exemptions for poultry stock were granted to Oklahoma farmers and ranchers.

November 1, 1973

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

1974
January 1, 1974

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

April 1, 1974

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

November 1, 1974

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

1975
November 1, 1975

Jarvis elected OKFB president

At the 1975 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Convention, delegates elected Billy H. Jarvis as president of OKFB.

1976
January 1, 1976

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

1977
January 1, 1977

OFBMIC reaches 10 million in surplus

In 1977, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company reached 10 million in surplus.

January 1, 1977

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

November 1, 1977

Lockett elected OKFB president

At the 1977 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Convention, delegates elected James L. Lockett to serve as OKFB president.

1978
January 1, 1978

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

January 1, 1978

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

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