Oklahoma Farm Bureau Concludes 85th Annual Meeting in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma Farm Bureau sets 2027 policy priorities

Oklahoma Farm Bureau members convened in Oklahoma City from Nov. 6-8 to establish the organization’s legislative direction and elect new leadership.

The 85th annual meeting, held at the Omni Hotel, focused on a slate of nearly 75 policy resolutions that will guide the group’s advocacy efforts at the state Capitol.

According to reports from okfarmbureau.org, these resolutions began as positions submitted at the county level before advancing through the state process this past fall. The decisions made during these business sessions impact a wide range of agricultural and rural interests, covering critical issues such as animal health, conservation, data centers, water usage, and aluminum smelters.

“This has been a fantastic convention and a great opportunity for our members to gather together,” OKFB President Stacy Simunek said. Simunek expressed hope that members would return to their operations with a “renewed sense of purpose” after the multi-day event.

Ag Secretary Blayne Arthur Addresses Ag Producers at the Oklahoma Farm Bureau meeting #agriculture

New leadership and youth innovation

The meeting served as a primary venue for electing the individuals who will steer the organization’s various committees and boards. On the OKFB board of directors, Leon Richards of Texas County, Kerry Givens of Comanche County, and Terry Graham of Alfalfa County were all re-elected to three-year terms.

The organization also saw several transitions within its specialized leadership groups:

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Women’s Leadership Committee: Karen Dodson of Caddo County was elected chair, succeeding Mignon Bolay.
Young Farmers and Ranchers: Nick and Dani Marlin of Mayes County were elected as co-chairs for a one-year term.
Collegiate Representation: Ryne Crosthwait of Oklahoma State University was elected as the collegiate representative.

The inaugural SAE CEO Challenge was added to the 2026 programming. This competition allowed FFA members to pitch their Supervised Agricultural Experience projects to a panel of judges. Arena Wells of Stratford FFA secured the top prize of $10,000 for her business, Cranchy Girl Granola, which produces health-conscious granola using local ingredients.

The competition highlights a growing emphasis on agricultural entrepreneurship among younger generations. Grace Coblentz of Choteau-Mazie FFA took second place, earning $5,000, while Leo Enlow of Sapulpa FFA earned third place with a $1,000 prize.

Recognition of agricultural excellence

Beyond policy and elections, the annual meeting functioned as a platform to honor individual and county-level contributions to the industry. Governor Kevin Stitt was presented with the Distinguished Service to OKFB Award for his eight years of service to the state’s agricultural community.

The organization also recognized outstanding county performance and family contributions. Payne County Farm Bureau received the John I. Taylor Award for being the top county Farm Bureau, while Mayes County Farm Bureau earned the Charles L. Roff Award for its Young Farmers and Ranchers program.

The following table outlines the winners of the primary discussion meets held during the convention:

Oklahoma Farm Bureau Concludes 85th Annual Meeting in Oklahoma City

Category	Winner	Affiliation
YF&R Discussion Meet	Jaclyn Darling	Coal County
Collegiate Discussion Meet	Heath Laubach	Oklahoma State University
High School Discussion Meet	Leo Enlow	Sapulpa

Educational sessions throughout the weekend provided members with technical updates, including a deep dive into the current beef market and sessions regarding the organization’s new Promotion and Engagement committee. Speakers included U.S. Senator James Lankford and Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur.

The policy resolutions adopted this weekend will remain the foundational framework for the organization’s lobbying and outreach efforts throughout 2027.

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