Oklahoma Farm Bureau members from across the state gathered Nov. 7-9 at the Omni Hotel in Oklahoma City for the organization's 84^th annual meeting where they elected new leaders, set organizational policy for the coming year, recognized outstanding members and learned from speakers.

"It's been a tremendous convention," said outgoing president Rodd Moesel. "We're all busy out on our farm or ranches - or in my case, a greenhouse - and there is something special that happens when we all get together and get to visit with one another. You realize you are not alone in the battles you are fighting. It's a very renewing and inspiring experience, and it helps us know what issues we need to be addressing as an industry, as friends, and as fellow Oklahomans."

Leaders elected

OKFB members elected several new and returning leaders throughout the weekend, including Stacy Simunek of Kay County, who will serve as the organization's new president. Simunek has served on the OKFB board of directors since 2020.

"I am very excited to get started," Simunek said. "I'm excited to continue to build up our grassroots and get out and meet people around the state, find their needs and start filling those needs."

Terry Graham of Alfalfa County was elected to fill Simunek's unexpired term as District 7 director. He will serve a one-year term representing Alfalfa, Garfield, Grant, Kay, Major, Noble and Woods Counties.

Macy Strom of Washington County was elected to serve as the new District 9 director, filling the shoes of longtime board member Jim Meek, who recently completed his final term after serving OKFB members for nearly a decade. Strom will represent Creek, Lincoln, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Osage, Pawnee, Payne, Tulsa and Washington Counties.

David VonTungeln was re-elected to serve another three-year term as District 3 director. He will represent Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Grady, Kingfisher, Logan and Oklahoma Counties.

Sue Beets of Okfuskee County was elected to represent District 9 on the OKFB Women's Leadership Committee.

OKFB Young Farmers and Ranchers elected Alison Theis of Comanche County to serve a one-year term as YF&R chair. Megan Hankins of Oklahoma County was elected to represent District 3, Nick and Dani Marlin of Mayes County were elected to represent District 6, Kody and Shelby Leonard of Payne County were elected to represent District 9, Tim Taylor of Craig County was elected as the at-large representative, and Peter Littlefield of Oklahoma State University was elected to serve as the Collegiate Farm Bureau representative.

Members set 2026 grassroots policy

Farm Bureau voting delegates considered more than 100 grassroots policy resolutions throughout two business session, including resolutions on renewable energy, eminent domain, private property rights, groundwater, animal health and more.

The policy resolutions presented on the floor in Oklahoma City began as county-submitted positions and advanced through the state resolutions process in October. The policies adopted by OKFB members during the annual meeting will help to guide the work of the organization at the state Capitol for years to come.

OKFB members and counties recognized

Comanche County Farm Bureau was honored as the top county Farm Bureau with the John I. Taylor Award, and Payne County was recognized for its programs with the Lewis H. Munn Award.

Collin and Bayleygh Black of McClain County received the YF&R Achievement Award, and Nick and Dani Marlin of Mayes County received the YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award.

Payne County was presented with the Charles L. Roff Award for the most outstanding county YF&R committee, and Oklahoma State University was honored as the top Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter with the YF&R Moesel Award.

Cherokee and Okmulgee County Farm Bureaus were recognized for an outstanding county activity with County Excellence Awards, and 52 county Farm Bureaus were presented with OKFB Presidential Star Awards.

Celine Walker of Comanche County was named the YF&R Discussion Meet winner, Ryne Crosthwait of Oklahoma State University was the Collegiate Farm Bureau Discussion Meet winner, and Katelee Martin of Alva was named the High School Discussion Meet winner.

Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur received the Distinguished Service to OKFB Award for her service to agriculture and Farm Bureau.

The OKFB WLC recognized nine outstanding farm and ranch families from around the state with the annual OKFB District Farm and Ranch Family Recognition program. This year's honorees were Chet Purvine, Dewey County, District 1; Nocona and Jordan Cook, Washita County, District 2; Whitney Lawson and Robert Mooneyham, Canadian County, District 3; Mike and Shelly Johnston, Carter County, District 4; Vernon and Shauna Wilson, Pushmataha County, District 5; Carolyn Piguet, Craig County, District 6; Troy and Amy Campbell, Alfalfa County, District 7; Leroy and Karen Odell, McClain County, District 8; and Clayton and Leslie Ullrich, Washington County, District 9.

Pitch the Plains

New for 2025 was the first-ever Pitch the Plains competition. The competition was a collaboration between OKFB and Launch Rural OK and gave youth and adults the opportunity to pitch a new or innovative idea in front of a set of judges for the chance to win cash prizes.

Bryce Everett of Canadian County won the adult division with his pitch for URMRKT, an online platform that brings together buyers and sellers of agricultural products and inputs.

Greyson Anderson won the 1^st-7^th grade division with Rockin Knots, a product designed to keep shoes from coming untied, and Niann Moreno was the 8^th-12^th grade winner with GreenGrub Farms, which seeks to improve livestock nutrition while cutting back on waste.

Members learn from speakers, presenters

Farm Bureau members heard from Congresswoman Stephanie Bice, Congressman Tom Cole, American Farm Bureau's Mike Sistak, Environmental Protection Agency's Scott Mason, and Mike Sanders of the Oklahoma Broadband Office.

Members also had the opportunity to attend breakout sessions on Friday, Nov. 7, including sessions on the New World Screwworm and Oklahoma royalty issues.

Attendees enjoyed music and an inspirational message from gospel singer Ben Waites on Sunday, Nov. 9.

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Annual Meeting is the organization's largest gathering of farmers and ranchers every year. At the three-day convention, members vote on grassroots policy, elect leaders and award outstanding individuals. OKFB has a presence in all 77 Oklahoma counties and serves as the voice of agriculture and the rural way of life. To learn more about the 2025 OKFB Annual Meeting, visit okfb.news/meeting25.