LINCOLN TO LOCAL
JUSTIN WHITMORE
Director of Field Services and North Central Field Representative
BOOTS ON THE GROUND he hustle and bustle of the state Capitol is something the Oklahoma Farm Bureau public policy team experiences almost every day. From the first Monday in February to the last Friday in May, the halls of Oklahoma’s legislative epicenter are filled with lawmakers, legislative staff, lobbyists and visitors taking part in the legislative process. This year, the OKFB public policy team is joined at the Capitol by some familiar faces: the OKFB field services team. The OKFB field representatives spend much of their time traversing the state of Oklahoma, serving as a connection between county Farm Bureau members and the state organization. They regularly visit with members and attend meetings and events in their respective regions. “A lot of times, we are the first point of contact with members on a given issue,” said Justin Whitmore, OKFB director of field services and north central field representative. That point of contact is strengthened through the field representatives’ work at the state Capitol. 14 — Oklahoma Country
KATIE WILKINSON
South Central Field Representative
“Through spending time at the Capitol, we are able to take firsthand stories back to the counties,” Whitmore said. “If we have a county board meeting that night, we can tell them exactly what happened at the Capitol that day.” Katie Wilkinson, the OKFB south central field representative, said time at the Capitol helps her better explain important issues when visiting with members in her area. “It is a great opportunity for me to gain knowledge about the legislative process and be better equipped to answer questions my members may have,” she said. Wilkinson said being at the Capitol makes it easier for her members to reach out with an issue. “If members know their field representative is at the Capitol, they might feel more comfortable asking questions or sharing their concerns,” she said. The field representatives also bring a grassroots perspective when spending time at the state Capitol. “Because we are not lobbyists, we often view issues the same way our members would see them,” Whitmore said. The grassroots perspective is especially important when Farm Bureau members cannot make it to the Capitol themselves. With members from every corner of the state, it is not always feasible to step away from responsibilities on the farm to make the trip to Oklahoma City. This is where the field representatives can help.