Newkirk represented at OFB Reporters Conference

Press Release

OKLAHOMA CITY —  What says Oklahoma and agriculture more than the upscale Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown Hotel with the entire valet drive filled with school ag trucks. On July 11, the hotel hosted the second annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau (OFB) FFA Reporters Conference.

Included in the hundred-plus FFA members and their advisors were Newkirk Chapter Reporter, Logan Rhea and Chapter Historian, Kristyn Flanery. This event helped equip FFA members with ideas and skills to better communicate their chapter’s upcoming school year activities.

Oklahoma FFA state officers Presley Pullen and Emily Beaner were present to greet the students and get the workshop started with icebreaker activities. The workshops focused on photography, layout and design, writing and social media. Students received real-world experience from faculty and graduate assistants from Oklahoma State University (OSU), Ferguson College of Agriculture and along with staff from the Oklahoma Pork Council. Blayne Arthur, Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, encouraged FFA members to stay involved in Oklahoma agriculture, not only through education but into their careers as well. A panel of Oklahoma agricultural leaders discussed the need for accurate ag communication and consumer outreach led by OFB VP Monte Tucker, OPC Executive Director Kylee Deniz and Oklahoma Beef Council Executive Director Heather Buckmaster. Ag Youth Magazine represented by Mary Peck and K.C. Sheperd from the Oklahoma Farm Report provided opportunities for students to share activities and news to various media outlets.