PRESIDENTIALLY SPEAKING Healing rains and recovery By Tom Buchanan President, Oklahoma Farm Bureau & Affiliated Companies
n the wake of the wildfires that swept across northwest Oklahoma, I can attest that the last few months have been surreal. I have seen unity and generosity overflowing throughout the agriculture community. I have looked into the eyes of a rancher with tearstained cheeks, overcome with emotion because he awoke the morning after the fires not knowing how he was going to feed his 750 head of cattle, only to learn that help was on the way. As you well know by now, hay, fencing supplies, milk replacer, feed and various other relief items have been pouring into the panhandle. We are in for a long recovery period, but our panhandle will thrive again. Farmers and ranchers are weathered and tested, but there is a spirit not found in any other sector. We are environmentalists who care for the land we cultivate so we may pass it onto the next generation. We are innovators, who through trial and error, find improved ways to make our lives and our operations more efficient. We are conservationists, honing our efforts so we
leave our land better for the next generation. We are activists of a sort, working to shed light on an industry widely overlooked. You see, we don’t farm and ranch to bring large yields to our bank accounts and our store houses. We continue in this legacy because we are the farmers and ranchers of Oklahoma, quietly, yet humbly, feeding fellow Oklahomans and our nation. We do this because it is our charge – a responsibility we don’t take lightly. As we saw in the wake of — Tom Buchanan the wildfires and countless times before, we bind together when we see those in need. During trying times such as these, it is important to remember why Oklahoma Farm Bureau exists. Your very membership dues are at work during this time helping those who need it most. In this time of spring, we look forward to healing rains and recovery. Thank you for your help in the relief efforts and your continued support of OKFB.
Farmers and ranchers are weathered and tested, but there is a spirit not found in any other sector.
Spring 2017 — 5