STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 54th Legislature (2013)

HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION 1007	By:	DeWitt and Biggs of the House

				and

		Fields of the Senate

AS INTRODUCED

A Concurrent Resolution relating to agriculture; extending appreciation to the agriculture industry of Oklahoma for its efforts and contributions to this state; proclaiming April 4, 2013, as Agriculture Day at the State Capitol; and directing distribution.

WHEREAS, the agriculture industry in Oklahoma is a vital part of Oklahoma’s economy and employs hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans; and
WHEREAS, the total contributions from agriculture in Oklahoma were approximately Thirty-six Billion Five Hundred Million Dollars ($36,500,000,000.00) in 2010; and
WHEREAS, the total employment from these contributions was 188,294 jobs in 2010; and 
WHEREAS, there are approximately 86,600 farms in Oklahoma, with 89% of these being family farms with a total amount of farmland estimated to be over 35 million acres; and
WHEREAS, Oklahoma ranks in the top ten nationally for sales of cattle, swine, and horses, and sales of poultry and eggs; and
WHEREAS, Oklahoma ranks in the top five nationally for the number of acres of wheat, sorghum, and hay; and
WHEREAS, the diversity of the agriculture industry in Oklahoma is evident as grapes and organic specialty crops have become viable economic alternatives to traditional crops; and
WHEREAS, the additional contributions of agriculture include the conservation of natural resources, the enhanced quality of life for all Oklahomans and the providing of a safe and reliable food source; and
WHEREAS, the future of the agriculture industry requires a dynamic vision as it faces rapidly evolving technologies and shifting consumer demands; and
WHEREAS, the role of the agriculture industry is ever increasing in the areas of production capacity and environmental protection.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 54TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN:
THAT the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Senate extend their sincere appreciation to Oklahoma’s agriculture industry for its efforts and contributions to this state.
THAT the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Senate hereby proclaim April 4, 2013, as “Agriculture Day” at the State Capitol.
THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to the Governor of the State of Oklahoma and the State Board of Agriculture.

54-1-7592	EK	03/25/13