Farm Bureau Helps With
Farm Bureau members are not shy to step up and take action in their communities. That’s what happened when Extreme Makeover came to Lawton. By Dustin Mielke Farm Bureau members are not shy to step up and take action in their Westbrook family and their situation through the Lawton media. communities. That is exactly what Oklahoma Farm Bureau and “As soon as we heard about it, we wanted to get involved in some Comanche County Farm Bureau did in February when ABC’s Extreme way,” Coody said. Makeover: Home Edition television program came to Lawton. After making phone calls to people working on the project, Coody The focus of the makeover was the Westbrook family. The father, eventually got in touch with Brenda Spencer-Ragland, who conducted a Gene Westbrook, was paralyzed from the waist down during a mortar petition drive to bring Extreme Makeover to Lawton. attack in Iraq in 2004. While the Westbrooks’ insurance needs had already been met, Coody Two years later, the Westbrook family was involved in an automobile contacted OFB to seek assistance in making a contribution. Executive accident that left their son, James Westbrook, paralyzed from the waist Director Matt Wilson and the board of directors liked the idea and down. Their daughter, Katy Westbrook, lost a kidney because of the donated $1,500 to the Adopt-A-Soldier Now organization. collision. Don Hankins, Comanche County Farm Bureau president, said Coody That’s when the Adopt-A-Soldier Now organization came to help. approached him about helping the Westbrook family. When Oklahoma The organization is dedicated to improving the lives of overseas Farm Bureau decided to make a donation, Hankins said Comanche troops when they return to the United States. One of their three County wanted to add its support to the cause. missions is the wounded soldier program, which aims to enhance the “This is a military town,” Hankins said. “Lawton and the community lives of soldiers wounded in combat when they return home. around here support our military people. We wanted to get in line and Janet Brady, the organization’s founder and president, remembers march in with them and support them.” how Vietnam War troops were treated when they returned home. Brady Comanche County Farm Bureau made a donation of $500, bringing said people’s response toward the soldiers motivated her to find a way to the total contribution to $2000. make troops feel welcome when they return from overseas service. Coody, Hankins and other representatives from Comanche County “I was brought up during the Vietnam era, where the soldiers were Farm Bureau presented the checks to Brady and Adopt-A-Solder Now spat upon when they returned home from war,” Brady said. “I think Vice President Jimmy Langkop in Lawton. that’s a disgraceful part of American history, and our “I’m incredibly grateful for what you all have Comanche County Farm Bureau goal is to make sure that never happens again. We tell done,” Brady said at the check presentation. “This President Don Hankins, left, holds a people that regardless of their political affiliations they will enable us to help other soldiers.” check presented to the Adopt-Aneed separate the soldiers from the politics.” Brady said her organization has their next family Soldier Now program in conjunction with ABC’s Home Makeover project Brady said the troops’ response to her organization’s selected for their wounded soldier program. in Lawton. Also pictured, from left, efforts has been one of “overwhelming gratitude.” 009622990 are county FBW Chairman Georgia Brady worked with ABC to coordinate the home Coody gave credit to Oklahoma Farm Bureau for Doye, county board Secretary makeover for the Westbrook family. After a Lawton-area its willingness to lend a helping hand. Damon Doye, county FBW Vice Chairman Rhonda Hankins, county resident contacted ABC, Adopt“This is a major effort from FB Agent Jeff Coody, Janet Brady, A-Soldier Now workers Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Adopt-A-Solder Now president, and conducted interviews and we’re grateful that they’ve Jimmy Langkop, Adopt-A-Solider assisted ABC with the prelimiallowed us to be a part of it,” Now vice president. nary work required for the show. Coody said. ABC took on the project, and Hankins echoed the sentithe family’s old house was ment that was felt throughout demolished and a new house the makeover process. was built and furnished in less “There’s nothing wrong with than a week. doing the right thing and Jeff Coody, Comanche helping people,” Hankins said. County Farm Bureau Insurance “If someone needs help, we all agent, said he heard about the band together.”
Oklahoma Country • Spring 2007 • 21
All Around
Oklahoma
TORNADO it’s that time again entral Oklahoma is the most tornadoprone area of the world, not only in terms of number of tornadoes, but also in terms of intensity. The risk in Oklahoma is as high, with an average of 54 tornadoes observed annually since 1950. Frequent frontal invasions and dry line development combined with favorable upper level support make springtime the most prevalent season for violent weather in Oklahoma, the epicenter of Tornado Alley. Most tornadoes travel on the ground for only about 15 miles and are on the ground for only about 15 minutes. A typical tornado is normally less than a quarter mile in diameter, but extremely large storms can be as much as one mile across. “May typically marks the peak of tornado season in Oklahoma,” says Justin Grego, Oklahoma Farm Bureau safety director. “From 1950 to 2004, an average of 21 tornadoes has been reported in the month of May. April, May
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Central Oklahoma is the heart of the most tornado-prone area in the world. May is typically the peak of the tornado season in
and June represent the months of peak occurrence in Oklahoma, with about threefourths of all tornadoes reported then. “That is why it is so important for Oklahoma families to develop a safety plan for home, work, school and outdoors,” Grego continued. He advised all families to develop and practice a tornado plan so everyone will know where to take shelter in a matter of seconds. “When a tornado occurs, there’s no time to develop or rehearse a plan. That’s why families should practice a tornado drill at least once a year so everyone knows the safest location to be at home. Hopefully, that will be a storm shelter – either a cellar or safe room.” If you’re forced to stay in your home, Grego said to keep away from windows and place yourself between as many walls as possible to avoid debris from the storm. “While I don’t recommend riding out a tornado that way, it does work. I know from
Oklahoma. A safety plan could be critical to your family’s survival if one of these devastating storms comes your way.
personal experience. When I was about four or five, my mother covered me and her with the mattress off my bed while we were in the bathtub. The tornado tore the roof completely off our home. I am living proof that strategy works.” bout 80 percent of the tornadoes in Oklahoma are observed between noon and midnight, and May typically brings nearly 40 percent of the year’s annual average tornado total. Grego advised everyone to be aware of the watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service during storm season. A watch is issued when the conditions are considered to be right for the possible occurrence of a tornado while a warning is issued when a tornado has been sighted. “Families should be ready to take shelter when a watch is issued. When a warning is issued, they should take shelter immediately. “While we all hope a tornado will never hit
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Jeff Baumann named 2006’s Top Agent our homes, there is a real possibility in Oklahoma. In addition to a family plan, you also should have a disaster supply kit including water, canned food and a battery-powered radio and flashlight. “We have a Be Ready Oklahoma packet available at the headquarters office for members. It contains a complete list of supplies you should have in your emergency kit and also has Be Ready Oklahoma cards to distribute to all family members,” said Grego. hile tornadoes and severe storms can’t be prevented, there are precautions that can be taken to protect property and personal belongings. “Once a storm’s over, your personal health is the first priority,” said Richard Newberry, OFBMIC claims vice president. “After family members have been accounted for, it’s important to assess your personal property.” Newberry recommends members review their homeowners or farm and ranch policy with their agent to assure coverage is up to date and that it protects all structures and personal property. “Home and property owners also need to document their property in case of a loss. An inventory should be taken with either accompanying photos or video, and stored in a location such as a safe deposit box.” All county Farm Bureaus have a personal property inventory list booklet for members. Visit your county office to obtain your copy. If a Farm Bureau member does have a storm loss, they should contact their agent to get the claims process underway. If the county office is closed, members are urged to use the new toll free claims hotline, 1-877-OFB-CLAIM. That number is operated 24 hours a day, seven days per week. “We have a great network of agents and adjusters that are here to help. The new toll free number is another tool available for our members. We hope,” Newberry concluded, “that no one suffers storm losses. But this is Oklahoma.”
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otton County Farm Bureau agent Jeff Baumann was named Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company’s Top All Around Agent for 2006 at the Feb. 14 Kick-Off meeting. Baumann, who has been an agent about four years, already had an impressive resume with the company before winning the year’s top award. At last year’s Kick Off, he took home the MVP Award, Top Life Sales Award, Super All American and Life Application champion. In addition to earning the Top All Around Agent for 2006, Baumann took home an armload of trophies. He was named to the Court of Honor for the fourth year, won the Top Life Sales Award and earned FBL’s Top Agent as the leader in life applications for the entire company. “This is a team effort. Everybody does their part,” said Baumann, who works out of the county office in Walters. “I think the credit goes to Farm Bureau for having good products and for the service we provide. I’ve got an outstanding CSR, Diana Fincher. We do work hard.” Baumann spent more than nine years as a Cotton County Extension agent before coming to Farm Bureau. He earned his bachelor’s degree in animal science in 1991 from Oklahoma State University. He believes the transition from an Extension agent to an insurance agent was easy because of all the connections he already made in Cotton County. “When I first got started, so many people said it would be a big change. It’s not,” Baumann said, “that big. I try to be an educator in insurance and most satisfied
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customers thank me for explaining things to them. The biggest difference is asking for a check when you’re finished.” The Top All Around Agent Award is presented annually to Farm Bureau Insurance’s most prolific agent. It recognizes sales accomplishments in property and casualty, auto, life and financial services and all other lines. “He knows everybody and everybody likes him,” said Farm Bureau Agency Vice President Bill Downs. “For a small town, Jeff is perfect. He’s very involved in the community and is proof that our agents in smaller areas can make a mark. He recognizes the opportunities in the small area. “Jeff is,” added Downs with a grin, “our only Yale (Yale High School) graduate ever to earn agent of the year.” “The rural niche we have and the service is important,” said Baumann. “If I’m about to lose a customer, one of the things I try to save them with is our service. You cannot get that from many companies. We sure bring that to the table.” Baumann and his wife, Shelly, a speech pathologist for Lawton Public Schools, and their two sons, Cooper, 12, and Cade, 9, resides just outside of Walters. He is very involved in the boys’ sports and activities and has coached little league for eight years. irst runner up for All Around Agent was Max Whipple of Texas County Farm Bureau. Greg Golden, a Wagoner County Farm Bureau agent, was second runner up followed by Payne County Agent Ralph Ellis, Osage County Agent Bobbie Johnson and Pawnee County Agent Greg Ward.
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Cotton County Farm Bureau agent Jeff Baumann holds the trophy designating him as Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company’s Top All Around Agent for 2006. General Manager Darryl Sinclair, left, and Southwest Agency Manager Curt Potter, right, made the presentation during the Feb. 14 Kick-Off Meeting in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma Country • Spring 2007 • 23
OFB LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
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1. OFB President Steve Kouplen called the annual Leadership Conference to order in Oklahoma City Feb. 19. The two-day meeting, which attracted nearly 300, was held at the Oklahoma City Marriott. 2. U.S. Congressman Frank Lucas was the featured speaker for the Leadership Conference dinner Feb. 19. He spoke about the upcoming farm bill legislation, and said despite his estimate that it will be a “long hot summer” that Congress will adopt an acceptable farm bill. 3. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Don Armes was the kickoff speaker. Armes, a Faxon Republication, addressed a variety of agricultural issues he expected to get attention during the session, and also answered audience questions. 4. Senate Pro Tem Glenn Coffee addressed the 8
Leadership Conference Feb. 20, explaining the challenges and opportunities of legislating in the Senate with a membership split exactly down the middle between the two political parties. 5. Bob Whitson, Oklahoma State University’s Dean of Agriculture, updated those attending the February Leadership Conference on the division at the school. 6. Oklahoma High Patrol Lieutenant Gary Lambdin presented an overview of the complex regulations on farm trucks during the February Leadership Conference. The OHP veteran said state troopers are urged to use discretion when enforcing the federal laws. 7. OFB’s Lori Peterson updated Leadership Conference participants on the organization’s priority program. The Public Policy vice president said she felt the current legislative session would prove successful for Farm Bureau. 8. American Farm Bureau’s Cody Lyon, director of grassroots and policy advocacy, presented a
leadership training session on what strategies work best when dealing with federal lawmakers. His session was held Feb. 20 at the Leadership Conference. 9. Seminole County Farm Bureau’s Sue Jarvis won the Centennial blanket raffle sponsored by the OFB Women’s Committee. Sue’s name was drawn Feb. 20 during the Leadership Conference. Safety Director Justin Grego helps Sue fold the blanket. The $800 raised in the blanket raffle went to the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation and the WhiteRhinehart Foundation. 10. Renowned acoustic guitarist Edgar Cruz provided entertainment during the Feb. 19 Legislative Reception and Dinner at the annual Leadership Conference. 10
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Supporting Oklahoma’s young people he Oklahoma Youth Expo honored Oklahoma Farm Bureau for the sixth consecutive year with the Volume Buyer Award at the March 19 Sale of Champions. Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Steve Kouplen was joined in the sale ring by Directors Roland Pederson, Bob Drake and Billy Gibson to accept the award. The award honors the organization, business or individual that purchases the most animals during the Sale of Champions. Nearly 200 animals made their way through
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exhibited by Bryce Bulling of MulhallOrlando FFA. • The third place Hampshire lamb exhibited by Chelsea Clifton of Kingfisher FFA. • The sixth place meat goat exhibited by Morgan Craig of Fort Gibson FFA. • The sixth place Suffolk lamb exhibited by Justin Ladd of Morrison FFA. • The twelfth place meat goat exhibited by Kaitlin Merriman of Allen FFA. • The twelfth place Hampshire barrow exhibited by Leslie Nation of Alva FFA. • The ninth place natural colored lamb exhibited by Brenna Parker of Copan FFA. • The fourth place Hampshire lamb exhibited by Hailey Price of Hughes County 4-H. • The seventh place crossbreed steer exhibited by Andrew Smith of Guthrie FFA. • The eighth place Suffolk lamb exhibited by Whitney Taylor of Pryor FFA. Left: Farm Bureau leaders accepted the Volume Buyer Award for 2006 during the March 19 Oklahoma Youth Expo Sale of • The second place Champions at the fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. Directors, Hampshire lamb from left, Roland Pederson and Bob Drake and Billy Gibson, exhibited by far right, joined OFB President Steve Kouplen in the sale ring Brittany Venable of to accept the honor. Verden 4-H. Below: Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Blue and Gold Sausage • The breed purchased the grand champion barrow exhibited by Kristi champion Mathena of Yukon FFA for $25,000 at the 92nd annual Sale of Berkshire barrow Champions March 19. exhibited by David Vizza of Tuttle FFA. • The eighth place crossbreed lamb exhibited by Kari Wendt of Kingfisher FFA. • The eleventh place crossbreed lamb exhibited by Keisha Williams of Latta FFA. OFB paid a large add-on on the tenth place crossbreed steer exhibited by Lindsey Long of Osage County 4-H. Chalices for the grand champion steer and the bronze medallion meat goat also were purchased by OFB.
the sale ring at the 92nd Youth Expo in 2007. Oklahoma Farm Bureau again was a major buyer at the sale, paying premiums on 17 animals and awarding a large add-on to one. OFB and Blue and Gold Sausage made the successful bid of $25,000 on the grand champion barrow shown by Kristi Mathena of Yukon. Other prize-winning animals OFB paid premiums on included: • The fifth place Simmental steer exhibited by Jennifer Bedwell of Fairview 4-H. • The eleventh place Simmental steer exhibited by Megan Bryant of Pawnee FFA. • The eighth place Maine-Anjou steer
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Oklahoma Country • Spring 2007 • 27
In 35 years, award changes but farming desire stays strong Left: Glenda and Sam with their daughter, Angela, picture in a 1970s era photo. Glenda and Sam today on their Jefferson County ranch.
n the spring of 1972 Sam and Glenda cows and a small swine herd. Today, while the Countiss of Waurika started out the hog barn sits empty, Sam still has a diversified growing season as one of three winners of operation. the American Farm Bureau Outstanding “We try to diversify and have cow-calf and Young Farmer award. stocker cattle and a little bit of wheat,” Sam The young south central Oklahoma farm says as he looks out at his cattle grazing on couple was selected at the beginning of the wheat and Bermuda grass pastures. year from 235 young farmers from throughout He also cites optimism as a factor that has the country based on their farm management, kept him on the land where he grew up, Farm Bureau involvement and leadership helping his father reap bounty from the skills. Although not exactly the same as today’s Oklahoma soil. Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award, it was the highest SERVICE RECOGNIZED – national Farm Bureau OFB President Steve Kouplen and FBW award for young farm Chairman Clara Wichert, right, leaders in 1972. recognized Muskogee County’s Beverly Sam started his farming Delmedico for her dedicated service. career at age 22, raising Beverly served many years on the feeder steers and leasing state FBW Committee as a member 2,000 acres of land. At the and was chairman four years and also time he was quoted as held a seat on the AFBF Women’s saying “A man can’t make Committee from 2001 to 2006. The it if he has anything less presentation was made during the than 1,000 acres, I don’t February Leadership Conference in believe.” Oklahoma City. In 1972 the Countiss farm operation consisted of 1,000 steers, 230 mother
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“In the farming business, you’ve got to be an optimist, or you can’t be a farmer.” Health concerns have forced him to cut back on his farming operation today but he says farming and ranching will always be a part of their family. “We’ll farm until we get tired of doing it,” Sam proudly announces as he roams the southern pastureland on his ATV. The 63-year-old farm leader has served as Jefferson County Farm Bureau president and continues to serve on the board of directors today. In 2006 the Countiss family was joined by Matt and Kelli Muller of Altus as Oklahoma winners of the national young farmers and ranchers top award. To give you some idea of how things have changed in 35 years, the Mullers received a new Dodge 4x4 diesel pickup for winning the award while the Countiss couple received an electronic calculator. We hope it won’t take another 35 years before a young Oklahoma agriculturalist is recognized for outstanding farming and leadership abilities.
FARM BUREAU WEEK PROCLAMATION – Gov. Brad Henry displays the Farm Bureau Week Proclamation he signed before presenting it to President Steve Kouplen, left, and Executive Director Matt Wilson, right. The official document made Feb. 19-23 Farm Bureau Week in Oklahoma, noting that Farm Bureau is a voluntary, general farm organization that seeks to improve income and living conditions of farm and ranch families. It represents the farmer and rancher at the county courthouse, in Oklahoma City and in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.