warning! use only if you need to lose 20 lbs. – or more ...stubborn fat. while green tea promotes...

Oklahoma Country • Winter 2006 • 11

Mr.Mrs. Ms.

____________________________________________

___________________________________________________Address___________________________________________________City State Zip___________________________________________________E-Mail address

(Please Print)

Green-Tea fires up your body’s “furnace” so you

PLUS: Citrin Wipes Out HungerFor Rapid Slimming!

WARNING!

NO RISK REPLY FORM

These products contain extremely potent weight-loss compounds:Use Only if You Need to Lose 20 lbs. – or More!

$_________Enclosed by: Check Money Orderor charge my Visa MasterCard Discover

Card#_______________________Exp._____/_____

Signature_________________________________

Mail Now To: Botanic Choice - 3401 W. 37th Ave., Dept. OA6MC, Hobart, IN 46342©2005 Indiana Botanic Gardens, Inc. CG41

+

No More

Weight Loss

Frustration!No More

Weight Loss

Frustration!

THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THESE PRODUCTS ARE NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.

No Matter What You’ve Heard... Your doctor will tell you there are only two ways to safely, effectively and quickly lose the weight you struggle with ... 1) Boost Your Body’s Fat Burning Ability And... 2) End Strong Food-Cravings So You Eat Less.

That’s Why Doctors are Thrilled with this Potent Fat-Destroying Duo! When used together, these compounds work synergistically to help you dissolve s t u b b o r n f a t . W h i l e G r e e n Te a promotes your body’s ability to burn fat remarkably fast... Citrin helps control even the most ravenous appetite.

The Result? Food cravings can v i r tua l ly disappear and you shed pound-after-pound, safely, naturally and without unwanted side-effects.

T h e # 1 S l i m m i n g P r o b l e m i s S tubbo rn , “ Imposs ib l e - to -Lose” Fat Deposits. The good news is... Green Tea contains a powerful phyto-nutrient called EGCG. This potent antioxidant possesses remarkable fat burning properties. Recent Medical studies found EGCG to skyrocket your metabolism and help burn-away excess fat – at an astonishing rate!

Once Your Metabolism Increases, your newly revved-up system easily burns excess fat. Best of all, you

body before it attaches to your hips, thighs, tummy and buttocks.

But that’s not the only change that will occur. You will witness a rapidly thinning waistline and a tighter, more sculpted body too!

The #2 Problem With Weight Loss Is Controlling How Much You Eat. Because our body relies on food to survive, our natural compulsion is to crave food. Unfortunately, the foods we love to eat, also contain the most calories and often result in ugly, hard-to-rid fat.

C i t r i n H e l p s f l i p y o u r h u n ge r switch to “OFF” by triggering nerve messages be tween your l ive r and your brain. It stimulates your liver to

your brain to send fewer appetite signals. Hunger pangs are diminished so you don’t eat as much. Nothing works faster or more effectively!

If you have fat you just can’t lose ... Don’t Wait . . . Order Now for fast , dramatically effective weight loss!

Not Convinced? Try GREEN TEA & CITRIN At Home Risk-free And See For Yourself! Soon you will love to look at yourself in the mirror! You will feel lighter, healthier and be filled with amazing energy.

NOT AVAILABLE IN STORES!

Don’t Wait! Mail the easy order form below or call our TOLL-FREE number today!

100% Fat Burning Risk Free GuaranteeUse Green Tea and Citrin for a full 90 days and watch the pounds and inches vanish! If you are not 100% delighted with your new slimmer figure, simply send the product back for a full refund. No questions asked! Green Tea and Citrin works best when used with a reduced calorie diet and exercise plan, which is included. Individual results may vary.

BURN MORE FAT!

��Yes! I want to rapidly lose weight with fat-burning Green Tea and hunger-reducing Citrin. Rush me the following supply:

� Best Deal! 120 day supply Reg. $89.98 Only! $36.98 Save $53.00 plus $3.95 shipping

� Better Deal! 60 day supply Reg. $47.98Only! $19.98 Save $28.00 plus $3.95 shipping

� Good Deal! 30 day supply Reg. $25.98 Only! $12.98 Save $13.00 plus $3.95 shipping

Call Toll-FREE Today

1-800-644-832724 hours a Day ~ 7 Days a Week Promotion OA6MC

CG41-7.625x9.75-4C.indd 1 12/1/2005 2:07:58 PM

12 • Oklahoma Country • Winter 2006

Travis Jett never imagined that learning and reciting the FFA Creedas a freshman in high school would lead him to a path as the nationalFFA president. Travis has devoted the majority of his high school andcollege career to developing skills in agriculture and leadership andliving by the creed.

During the 78th annual national FFA Convention in Louisville, Ky., ayoung man from Oklahoma dreams came true with the calling of his name.

Travis was one of six individuals elected to hold national office froma field of 37candidates.

Growing up in theOklahomaPanhandle on hisfamily’s cattle andwheat operationoutside of Laverne,Travis neverimagined the title ofnational FFApresident wouldfollow with his name.His parents, Alanand Alyson, taughttheir son theimportance ofagriculture at ayoung age and Travisfollowed in hisfamily’s footsteps bybecoming involved inFFA during hiseighth grade year.

He attendedLaverne High Schooland was a member of

its FFA chapter, with Brad Ashpaugh as his advisor. Travis said it wasn’t until he attended the Oklahoma State FFA

convention with his father that his prospective and future in the youthagricultural program changed.

“I was involved with FFA by being a member and attendingmeetings, however things changed when I attended the stateconvention and heard the retiring address by state FFA president JoshBercheen,” said Travis. “He rode in on his horse and gave his speechentitled ‘Born to Be’ and he explained what an exciting future therewas in agriculture.”

The retiring president’s speech spoke directly to Travis, and herealized there was a future for him in agriculture and FFA. As Travismatured through his high school years, he served as a Lavernechapter officer, participated in extemporaneous public speakingcontests and showed livestock, but more importantly learned theorganization was based on service and keeping a lasting traditionmoving towards the future.

With these values close to him, Travis made the decision to run forstate FFA office his senior year of high school and won the nominationof northwest district vice-president. The following year he was electedas the Oklahoma FFA president.

“I had accomplished so much through FFA and the organization hadtaught me the values I hold true to today,” said Travis. “ I was abouttwo-thirds of the way through my state presidency when I began toseriously considered running for a national FFA office.”

With his duties as state president coming to a close, Travis realizedhe still had a growing passion to serve FFA members and saw anamazing opportunity on the horizon. And thus, started the road torunning for a national FFA officer.

In order for Travis to run for national office, there were several stepshe had to take before even attending national convention. The nationalFFA officer selection process is intense and includes a rigorousassessment of each candidate’s year of academic and extracurricularaccomplishments.

Nominees first must qualify at the state level to represent their state

By Nicola Freeman

with a faith born notof words but of deeds –achievements won bypresent and pastgenerations ofagriculturalists; in thepromise of better daysthrough better ways evenas the better things wenow enjoy have come tous from the struggles offormer years. – The FFA Creed by E.M. Tiffany



FFA association. They then submit an in-depth application to thenational organization, detailing their accomplishments andcontributions to the community, and complete an essay explaining whythey wish to be elected to the position.

After receiving the nomination for Oklahoma, Travis began thepreparation process, which included studying six to eight hours a day,with the focus on gaining something mental, physical, emotional andspiritual, he said.

“I felt a lot of personal growth during those months leading up tonational convention,” said Travis.

Along with his studies, the FFA member sought the advice of theOklahoma Farm Bureau’s Public Policy division to assist him for hisfuture interviews at national convention. The staff covered issuesrelating the upcoming farm bill, agricultural policies and issuesaffecting rural communities across the nation.

“I appreciated the time the OFB Public Policy staff took to helpassist me with several of the potential issues I would be asked atnational convention as well as the screening process,” said Travis.

At national convention in October, Travis participated in six roundsof interviews, took in-depth written tests on the organization,agricultural issues, education and current FFA business. In addition,there were two personal rounds for each candidate to express hisreasons why he wanted to be a national officer and interact with othercandidates before the delegation and members.

The nomination committee, composed of nine state FFA officers,

recommended the slate of six national officers for approval by theconvention delegates.

After the slating of candidates, Travis was placed before the delega-tion for a vote. However, he along with the other FFA members runningfor national office did not know what office they were running for.

“After all the interviews and exam, we were told if we were in thefinal selection process, but never knew what office we had been slatedfor,” said Travis.

“They read off the results of the four regional vice president officersand my name wasn’t called, the national secretary and again no nameand then the presidency. It was very nerve wracking.”

And then the announcer said: “National FFA President is Travis Jettof Oklahoma.”

Members of the Oklahoma delegation said they don’t think Travis’sfeet hit one of the stairs going to the podium.

“I could not believe it! It is a tremendous honor and privilege toserve the national FFA organization in this position,” he said.

Travis is the seventh Oklahoman to be a national FFA president,more than any other state. Oklahoma is ranked the fourth largestmembership within the national organization.

Oklahoma Executive Secretary Kent Boggs said Travis is among thebest from Oklahoma to run for national office.

“Travis is a great one, and very deserving of the national officerposition,” said Boggs. “Oklahoma has had some great candidates overyears make a run for national office and were overlooked for whateverreason. None were any more committed and worked harder to prepare

for the election process than Travis.”It has been 25 years since an Oklahoman

was elected as president and Travis says he iseager to tell the story of the positive impactagriculture education has in our world.

“Agriculture has a bright future, it isbecoming more global with more changes. Butwith those changes, it is an industry worthfighting for. We, as agriculture leaders, mustadapt and embrace these changes and keepthe values and principles that makeagriculture great.”

As national president, Travis will haveduties identical to the other national teammembers, which includes an introductionprocess that began in November for twomonths, followed by trips to various states andintense public speaking workshops, before theteam travels to Japan this February for aninternational agricultural experience.

Travis will lead the officer team and serveas spokesperson for the organization; thoughhe is quick to point out he is just one memberof the national team and will work closely

Travis with the 2005-2006 national FFA officer team: (top left) Eastern Region Vice President Ryan Petersonof Michigan, Western Region Vice President Stuart Joy of New Mexico, (bottom row from left) SouthernRegion Vice President Erica Der of Florida, National FFA President Travis Jett of Oklahoma, National SecretaryJessie Geib of South Dakota and Central Region Vice President Anita Estes of Nebraska.

with the other five members. The team willwork alongside the national FFA board ofdirectors to shape policy and ensure theorganization continues its success.

The national FFA organization is based inIndianapolis, Ind., where the team will behoused for the majority of its tenure, whenit’s not traveling to state conventions andstate officer leadership training workshops.The team will travel more than 300 days outof the year.

As national FFA president Travis will takeoff one year of course work at OklahomaState University he where is a juniormajoring in agricultural economics/pre-law.While attending OSU, Travis served on theHomecoming Steering Committee, Speaker’sBoard, President’s Leadership Council,Student Alumni Board, College of AgricultureStudent Council and is a member of theAlpha Gamma Rho Fraternity.

During Travis’s time as national presidenthe will travel the United States meeting FFAmembers, agricultural leaders and FFAsupporters, as well as top business,government and education leaders in 40states. His responsibilities include providingpersonal growth and leadership training tostudents, setting policies and promotingagricultural literacy.

“I hope the national FFA’s role willcontinue to be on a local level, for this iswhere FFA and agricultural education makea difference,” he said. “My greatest hope is toimpact members on a local level andencourage diversity of membership inchapters.”

Travis’s term is a part of history as thenational FFA convention is making a move toIndianapolis, Ind., during the fall of this year.He hopes his time as a national officer willreflect his commitment to agriculture andserving youth.

As thinks back to his first experience withFFA and recites the last paragraph of theFFA Creed, know that Travis Jett, nationalFFA president, is living by those simplewords, holding true to his values inagriculture and preserving it for generationsto come within FFA.



CAMPAIGNING

Oklahoma Farm Bureausurfaces

agriculture-friendlycandidates with

Campaign ManagementSeminar

By Traci Morgan

campaign, which tested the candidate’stechniques, tools and methods.

Participants learned how to gain thesupport of voters, budget their campaigndollars and involve the media in theircampaigns. Candidates obtained valuableskills in media presence during an interviewwith a reporter, which was then critiqued bythe group. Each activity is intended tostrengthen the candidate’s ability to run awinning campaign, which is what makes theseminar so popular.

“This seminar continues to grow each year,”Peterson said. “Numerous elected officialspreviously attended the CampaignManagement Seminar to gain valuableknowledge and were successful in theircampaign efforts.”

Candidates for local, county and stateelected offices all have benefited from theseminar in recent years. The seminar not onlycaters to first-time candidates, but alsocurrent legislators seeking a refresher coursein campaign basics.

One such lawmaker is Sen. Daisy Lawler of

Comanche. The Stephens County FarmBureau member and chair of the SenateAgriculture Committee first attended whenher husband, Larry, ran successfully for theSenate seat she now holds.

“We had the information that Farm Bureauwas going to hold a seminar, and my husbandwas interested in politics, so he suggested wecome to that,” Sen. Lawler said.

The seminar has had a champion in thetwo-time attendee ever since. In addition toseeking a refresher course in campaigning,Sen. Lawler encouraged others to attendwhat she calls one of the best campaigncourses available.

“I think the whole program is an excellentpresentation,” she said. “It's the most andbest information that I have gotten from anytype of campaign seminar since my husbandwas elected.”

Peterson said it’s encouraging to seecurrent legislators brushing up on campaignskills going into their election, but equallyrewarding to see someone who’s not beenelected attend the seminar.

The real draw for Farm Bureau’s seminaris its bipartisan nature and neutrality onpolicy issues.

“We have had, I would say, equal numbersfrom both parties attend the school. And infact, in the campaign seminar itself, we do nottalk policy issues whatsoever,” she said. “Wedon't promote Oklahoma Farm Bureau policy.

KLAHOMA FARM BUREAU always hasbeen committed to surfacing agriculture-friendly candidates for public office. Now thatthe Oklahoma State Legislature is deep into itsfirst round of term limits, the organizationfeels it is imperative to find those willing tochampion agriculture in the elected arena.

“Recently, term limits went into affect inthe state of Oklahoma, so a lot of longtimelegislators and good friends of OklahomaFarm Bureau and agriculture can no longerserve their office,” said Lori Kromer Peterson,OFB vice president of public policy. “So, nowwe are looking for those good candidates whoare willing to serve, and who can replacethose good leaders and represent Oklahomaand agriculture.”

Surfacing rural candidates is not an easytask. However, individuals who are equippedwith the skills necessary to run a campaign aremore likely to take a stab at politics.

“If we can surface a good candidate, putthem into a campaign school and give themthe tools and information they need to run agood campaign,” said Linda Johnson,American Farm Bureau Federation director ofpolicy implementation, “then it’s a little biteasier for them to take that step.”

OFB’s Campaign Management Seminar isdesigned to assist those candidates in runninga successful campaign. A recent seminar heldin Oklahoma City taught participants tricks ofthe trade through a computer-simulated


From top to bottom: OFB’s Campaign ManagementSeminar has a champion in two-time attendee Sen.Daisy Lawler, shown here speaking at a recent FarmBureau event. The Stephens County Farm Bureaumember and chair of the Senate Agriculture Committeerecently completed a refresher course and encouragedothers to attend what she calls one of the bestcampaign courses available.

Sam Knipp, left, OFB vice president of corporatecommunications/public relations, interviewed seminarparticipant Bettie Johnson to give the candidate on-camera practice with the media.

Campaign managers Meredith Walck, left, Laura Jones,center, and Don Eckhoff discussed budgeting during asection of OFB’s recent Campaign ManagementSeminar. The three are managing upcoming stateSenate races.

We don't promote any specific agenda. It isjust how you run a campaign from beginningto end. And several current legislators andcandidates who have attended other schoolstell us that this is the only campaign seminarwhere that is the case.”

One thing the seminar does advocate,however, is relationship building betweenOFB’s public policy staff and potentiallawmakers.

“We build a relationship with them beforethey're elected, and then once they do serve inthe legislature they are already familiar withus,” Peterson said. “You really have a differentrelationship with someone, I think, when youknow them before they're elected, and youhave supported and helped their campaign.”

OFB’s Campaign Management Seminar isnot restricted to a select few. Incumbentlegislators, potential candidates, those whohave already thrown their hats in, as well ascandidates’ spouses and their campaignmanagers also are urged to attend.

“Ideally, if the candidate, his or her spouseand the campaign manager all attend theseminar, that's the best way to go becausethose three people are so important to thecampaign,” Peterson said.

Those interested in attending a FarmBureau Campaign Management Seminar, orwanting more information, should contactPeterson at 405-523-2539 or [email protected]


Inola’s Kathy Privett broughther peanut butter pancakesyrup to the Tulsa State Fair tointroduce the product andtempt prospective consumers.

Pass on theMaple andPick-Up thePeanut Butter

Pancakes are being topped in a newway on some breakfast tables inOklahoma. Aside from the usual

maple, strawberry or butter pecan pancakesyrup, a new choice is becoming available –peanut butter.

It may seem surprising that while peanutbutter lovers have placed the condiment onbread, fruits, vegetables and in desserts foryears, the idea to market it for pancakesyrup had never been realized – untilrecently.

In Kathy Privett’s kitchen in Inola,however, peanut butter pancake syrup was afavorite.

“My husband and I mixed peanut butterand syrup in the kitchen for a snack for thekids,” Privett said. “One day he said, ‘Whydon’t you bottle that?’”

After conducting research, Privettrealized the idea was a new one in the foodindustry.

Seeking assistance with her idea, sheattended the Basic Training Workshop at theFood & Agricultural Products Center locatedon the Oklahoma State University campus inStillwater in August 2004. The workshopprovides food business entrepreneursinformation on business economics andmarketing.

It was at this workshop that Privett metChuck Willoughby and Jim Brooks, FAPCbusiness planning and marketing specialists,and David Moe, FAPC pilot plant manager.

Under their supervision and througheight months of trial and error, a final recipefor peanut butter syrup was formulated, and

the company, Abe’s Creations,was born.

“Mixing and bottling peanutbutter pancake syrup camewith a few challenges –challenges that Dave Moe wasable to meet – but the real challenge laidahead in marketing the product to retailbuyers and prospective customers,”Willoughby said. “That is where we were ableto help Kathy through our MarketDevelopment Program.”

All AroundOklahomaPrivett attended Oklahoma Grocer’s

Association tradeshow in Oklahoma City withthe help of the FAPC. Her “creation” wasthen picked up by Reasor’s Grocery locatedin the Tulsa area.

As Privett attended more tradeshows andthe state fairs, the product was introduced tomore consumers, and recently, Abe’sCreations peanut butter pancake syrup hasalso been added to the shelves of Homelandgrocery stores, with 43 locations statewide.

In the beginning, the FAPC helpedproduce the syrup during the market testingphase, but production of the syrup is nowproduced by Backwoods Foods in Tahlequah.

“We are really pleased with the marketresponse this product has received,

especially selling out itsdebut weekend at theReasor’s stores in the Tulsaarea,” Willoughby said. “It isgratifying to know that we

have been able to help another Oklahomaentrepreneur and keep the foodmanufacturing jobs here in Oklahoma.”

The FAPC is still currently involved inassisting Privett and her company.

“I continue to rely on my advisory team –Chuck and Jim,” Privett said.

The agroterrorism information center in Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s booth at the 12th annual Tulsa Farm Show provedpopular with visitors to the Dec. 8-10 event. FBI Special Agent Dana Ward joined Farm Bureau staff to promote theprogram, which relays information on biosecurity issues to those in the farm community who participate in the newprogram. The OFB booth was framed by the Kids Fire Safety Trailer. Those stopping by the booth also took homeinformation about safety programs plus the many member benefits offered by OFB.

Agroterriorism Information Center Popular

Steven spent countless hours restoring this 1948 Case SC tractor. His efforts paid off when he was selected as a finalistin the 2005 Chevron Delo Tractor Restoration competition during the national FFA convention.


Oklahoma Farm Bureau & AffiliatedCompanies was the major buyer atthe 2005 Tulsa State Fair Junior

Livestock Premium Auction Oct. 7.The state’s largest farm organization

purchased the grand champion lamb and 19other prize-winning animals that made theannual premium auction. Farm Bureau wasrecognized prior to the auction with the 2004Frank Sanders Memorial Award for lastyear’s premium auction, marking the fifthconsecutive year for Farm Bureau to berecognized for purchasing the largestnumber of animals in the sale.

The exhibitors of the prize-winninganimals Farm Bureau purchased were:• Kari Wendt of Kingfisher FFA for herHampshire wether, which was the grandchampion lamb.• Cody Schenk of Chickasha FFA for the

Apicture-perfect 1948 Case SC tractorowned and restored by StevenSnelson of Wann, Okla., was selected

as a finalist in the 2005 Chevron DeloTractor Restoration competition during therecent National FFA convention.

Steven is the son of Pam and SteveSnelson, Washington County Farm Bureau’sfarm family of the year.

Steven rescued the tractor from anearby pasture, where it had sat for 30years. He reclaimed it from the weeds andtrees that had turned the tractor into partof the natural environment.

The tractor’s original owner, FrancisWarden, used it for many years until failinghealth forced him to retire. The tractor wasrelegated to “decorate” the scenery,patiently waiting for someone to return it toactive duty.

After spending countless hourscarefully restoring the tractor to originalcondition, Steven entered it in the Chevron

OFB supportsTulsa auction

Member’s tractor isFFA finalist

competition. He was required to meticulouslydetail all his work on the tractor, explainingevery step of the restoration. The goal of thecompetition is to recognize thedetermination, mechanical skill and business

savvy of high school aged FFA members. Steven has driven the tractor in local

parades and plans to have the tractor at the2006 FFA convention this spring inOklahoma City.

State leaders, back row from right, Mike Spradling, Steve Kouplen, and Charles Sloan were on hand to representOklahoma Farm Bureau during the Tulsa State Fair Premium Auction October 7. Along with several other animals, theorganization purchased the grand champion lamb shown by Kingfisher FFA member Kari Wendt. Oklahoma FarmBureau was honored during the auction with the Frank Sanders Memorial Award for being the top volume buyer atthe sale for the fifth consecutive year.


Conference aims at women

The Women in Agriculture and SmallBusiness Conference is scheduledMarch 11 at the Payne County Expo

Center in Stillwater. The conferencecommittee is comprised of volunteers who

champion Simmental steer. • Jake Long of Panama FFA for thechampion AOB (all other breeds) steer.• Blair Sutter of Alva FFA for the reservechampion Chianina steer.• Emily Cline of Miami FFA for the reservechampion Simmental steer.• Justin Gonsell of Lindsay FFA for the thirdplace Chianina steer.• Shannon Rose of Alva FFA for thechampion Poland barrow.• Taylor Augustine of Vanoss FFA for thereserve champion Yorkshire barrow.• Haley Kromer of Big Pasture FFA for thesecond place crossbreed barrow.• Carri Smith of Fairview FFA for the secondplace Hampshire lamb.• Kaylee Lindsey of Tonkawa FFA for thefourth place Suffolk lamb.• Alaina Parker of Garvin County 4-H for thereserve champion Southdown lamb.• Lacy McMurtrie of Tonkawa FFA for thefifth place natural colored lamb.

Edmond entrepreneur Stewart Kennedy recounted a mountain climbing experience as part of his motivationalspeech to the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Secretary’s Conference opening session Nov. 29 in Oklahoma City. Countyoffice secretaries and CSRs attending the two-day session not only heard from Kennedy. AFBF LeadershipDevelopment Director Matt DeMarko presented a special program on harnessing emotional intelligence. Specialworkshops on membership, ag records and CSR issues also were presented as well as updates about memberservice programs.

are small business women, agriculturalproducers and agricultural and ruralcommunity development professionals fromCreek, Lincoln and Payne counties.

The theme of the meeting is “OklahomaWomen Making A Difference,” and providesan opportunity for women to expand theirknowledge, networks, life satisfaction andtools for use in a competitive business world,according to Gail Holland, conference chair.

The conference will have workshops, atrade show, catered lunch and paneldiscussion. Workshop topics include stressmanagement, alternative agriculture,business planning, farm family healthinsurance, estate and retirement planningand many others.

For more information, call 405-372-5711,extension 2 or 3.

• Casey Hough of Quapaw FFA for the fifthplace Shorthorn steer.• Deekotah Williams of Central High 4-H forthe seventh place Hampshire barrow.• Laura Smith of Newcastle FFA for theeleventh place Hampshire barrow.• Jennifer Lawler of Cotton County 4-H forthe eighth place natural colored lamb.• Ethan Propp of Mayes County 4-H for theeighth place Simmental steer.• Jared Chidester of Chouteau FFA for thetenth place Simmental steer.• Jarred Bedwell of Fairview FFA for thetenth place Shorthorn steer.

Secretary Conference Antics

Applicators don’tforget your records

Recent events combined with pastexperience indicate that manycommercial and non-commercial

applicators are not keeping their pesticiderecords, according to Dr. Jim T. Criswell,pesticide coordinator for the OklahomaCooperative Extension Service.

“There seems to be two problems,” he said.“The first is there are no records at all. Thesecond is applicators are waiting weeks tomonths to record the applications. Bothsituations lead to incomplete records – if theyever get recorded.”

Criswell said all commercial and non-commercial applications are required to keepthe following records:• Time of application,• Place of each application,• Name and address of applicator,• Name and address of person for whoapplied,• Legal description of land where applied,• Date of application,• Pesticide tank mix concentration,• Dilution rate for mixing,• Total quantity of pesticide used, includingamount of pesticide concentrate and tankmix used,• Complete trade name of product used,• EPA registration number of product used,


Cost-share fundingavailable forlandowners whoinstall field buffers

• Target pest for the application,• Site where the pesticide was applied,• Restricted Entry Interval as stated on theproduct label,• A copy of the pesticide product label orlabeling that is attached to the container orincluded in the shipping case, and• Copies of any contract issued.

Criswell said these records must be keptfor two years. They are to be supplied toODAFF when ODAFF requests them, inperson, during business hours or within sevenworking days when ODAFF requests therecords by mail.

“Applicators should record theirapplications as soon as possible on the daythe applications are made,” said Criswell.“This helps avoid memory loss on what wasdone and how it was done.”

Oklahoma farmers may now sign-up forthe Habitat Buffers for Upland Birds(CP-33) program that will pay farmers

to establish buffers around croplands toprovide the grassy habitat that bobwhite quail,ring-necked pheasants, and other upland birdsrequire for food, cover and nesting.

Enrollment in the program is completelyvoluntary and simply requires theestablishment of 35-120 foot buffers of plantedor native vegetation around the perimeter ofcrop fields.

In turn, the landowner or farmer receivesannual rental payments for the life of the 10-year contract as well as the satisfaction ofknowing that they are helping to restore vitalwildlife habitat.

Payments are based on the type of soils onthe property and differ in various parts of thestate. In Oklahoma, the average annual rentalpayment is $32 an acre. Additionally,landowners also receive a sign-up bonus of upto $100 an acre and 90 percent of the cost ofinstalling the buffers.

Oklahoma has been approved to install upto 9,500 acres of buffers across the state underthe CP 33 provisions, however only 448 acres

I-35 and Exit 153 south of Guthrie (only 7 miles from Edmond) • (405) 282-2113

Find out why so many farmers and ranchers say,

“It’s comfortable to buy a truck or car from John Vance”

John

Vance

www.vanceautogroup.com


have been enrolled so far.“Many of our landowner assistance programs

are very competitive and some have alreadyreached their maximum enrollment, but thisis a great opportunity to get in on the groundfloor of this relatively new program,” said JohnHendrix, private lands biologist for the Okla-homa Department of Wildlife Conservation.

For example, depending on the soil type, ifa landowner installs a 120-foot wide buffer on160 acres of agricultural ground, the programwill pay an incentive payment of $2,780 toinstall the 27 acres of buffers as well as anannual rental payment of $900 per year for thenext 10 years. If a landowner chooses to installa 35-foot wide buffer on 160 acres of agricul-tural ground, the program will pay an incen-tive payment of $420 to install the four acresof buffers as well as an annual rental paymentof $136 per year for the next 10 years.

“This is a win-win program for bothlandowners and wildlife and it just makesgreat sense for farmers who are interested inwildlife habitat and the bottom line,” Hendrixsaid. “I would highly encourage farmers acrossthe state to do themselves a favor and lookinto this program.”

According to Hendrix the program offersseveral benefits to farmers, including:• Stabilizes income on what is typically theleast productive portions of fields.• Controls soil erosion and improves waterquality in nearby creeks and ponds.• Provides critical cover for rabbits, quail,pheasants and grassland songbirds.• Provides quality hunting areas for family andfriends.

Landowners can sign-up for this voluntaryprogram at their local Farm Service Agency.More information on this and other initiativesis also available at the Farm Service Agency'sWeb site at www.fsa.usda.gov.

If your income for 2005 was less than$37,263 you may be eligible for theEarned Income Tax Credit (EITC) on

your federal income tax return.EITC is a credit for people who work, but

don’t earn high incomes. If you qualify, youcould pay less federal tax or no tax – evenget a refund.

If you have one dependent child andearned less than $33,030 you can get anEITC up to $2,662.

If you have more than one dependentchild and earned less than $37,263 you canget an EITC up to $4,400.

If you have no children and earned lessthan $13,750 you can get an EITC up to $399.

To qualify, you must meet certain rulesand file a tax return, even if you do not oweany tax or did not earn enough money torequire filing a tax return.

For more information, call 1-800-829-1040, or log on to the Internal Revenue WebSite at www.irs.gov.

You may qualify for a federal income tax credit

Proper financialplanning key tobusiness success

Retirement planningthrough IRAs

Every business owner has highaspirations for their business. Whetherthese goals involve everyday operations,

a new business venture or an expansionproject, proper financing is essential tobusiness owners reaching their objectives.

One of the biggest hurdles for smallbusinesses is having enough capital to bring abusiness plan to fruition. The best planning andbusiness management can be completely under-mined if appropriate funding is not available.

According to Steven Windhaus, small busi-ness advisor for www.bankrate.com, “Havingthe proper financing, including workingcapital, is more important to a small businessthan developing a customer base, providing aproduct or even offering client services.”

It is not enough to simply have a wellthought out business plan. Knowledge andplanning are required to manage finances aswell. According to the United States SmallBusiness Administration, “These qualitiesensure that entrepreneurs avoid common mis-takes like securing the wrong type of financing,miscalculating the amount required, orunderestimating the cost of borrowing money.”

Preventing these mistakes are just some ofthe reasons why planning must be done priorto a financing request, and why securingfinancing is more difficult than most smallbusiness entrepreneurs think. Despite thisdifficulty, small businesses lending hasincreased steadily for the past five years.

“You can improve your odds of receivingfinancing for your small business by gettingyour business plan evaluated by a bank loan

officer, having an excellent personal credithistory, submitting your personal financialstatements, and by itemizing costs towardwhich the money would be directed,”Windhaus said.

Other ideas include having your businessplan reviewed by a specialist at the nearestSmall Business Development Center or byapplying for financing from an institution youcurrently bank with said Windhaus. Also, besure to decide what type of financing to applyfor based on each individual business’ needs.The requirements for financing through abusiness loan versus financing via a businessline of credit differ greatly, as do the benefitsand repayment options.

Farm Bureau Bank can help your businessobtain the financial help it needs to growthrough its Business Line of Credit. FarmBureau Bank’s Business Line of Credit offersconvenient access to working capital up to$100,000, year-end expense statements tomanage budgets and forecasts, and rewards tohelp obtain needed capital expenditures. Itslow-rate, unsecured, operating line of creditcan help you meet all of your cash flow,expansion, and everyday business needs.

Help your business help itself. For moreinformation about a business line of creditthrough Farm Bureau Bank, or to apply, visitwww.farmbureaubank.com or call 1-800-492-FARM (3276) to speak with a personal banker.

Maintaining a quality lifestyle inretirement is an objective of manyAmerican workers. Many could make

their retirement come sooner through properretirement planning and investments. One ofthe easiest ways to save for retirement is

warning! use only if you need to lose 20 lbs. – or more ...stubborn fat. while green tea promotes...

Documents