Fall 2009 by Matrix Digital Media Inc

FALL 2009

THE MAGAZINE OF THE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU

INSIDE: INSIDE:

Matt Matt Retires; Retires; Monica Monica Takes Takes Helm Helm Don’t Don’t Mess Mess With With Oklahoma Happy Happy 100 100 4-H 4-H Growing Growing Food Is Is Never Never AA Sure Sure Thing Thing AA Week Week Without Without One One Sale Sale Rolling Rolling In In The The Dough Dough

Oklahoma Country

Contents

Features 8 – Matt Retires; Monica Takes Helm Matt Wilson retired as executive director of Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Monica Wilke has been named as his successor.

10 – Don’t Mess With Oklahoma Texas saddle thieves found out that you don’t mess with Oklahoma. A volunteer investigator recovered 10 stolen saddles and produced evidence to convict the Texans. He also became the first person to collect Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s $5,000 reward. BY MIKE NICHOLS

16 – Happy 100 4-H

Happy Birthday, Oklahoma 4-H. The youth organization culminates a year-long celebration of its centennial with a green tie event and previews what ahead for the next 100. BY TRACI MORGAN

24 – Growing Food Is Never A Sure Thing There were no visions of sugar plums dancing in his head when Curt Roberts planted 11 acres of sweet corn in April but he did hope for a profitable crop. Alas it was not to be.

BY SAM KNIPP Cover Image

28 – A Week Without One Sale

Retired Executive Vice President Matt Wilson and his dog, Ben.

Despite traveling thousands of miles and seeing hundreds of people, an Oklahoma Farm Bureau agent went a week without selling an insurance policy. But the idea of selling insurance probably never crossed his mind as his mission sent him to the most remote areas of Nicaragua. BY MIKE NICHOLS

34 – Rolling In The Dough The Buss family of Garfield County has created a sweet business selling frozen cookie dough that is sure to please even the most discriminating cookie aficionado. BY DUSTIN MIELKE

Columns

Departments

2 – Presidentially Speaking 4 – Executive Outlook 6 – Country Gardening

40 – All Around Oklahoma 54 – Country Classifieds 56 – Country Kitchen

Hidden number worth $50! ne member family’s Oklahoma Farm Bureau membership number is hidden somewhere in this issue of OKLAHOMA COUNTRY, and could earn that member family $50. To claim the cash prize, the member family must find its own hidden membership number and contact Mike Nichols before the last day of the month Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to

4 p.m. at 405-523-2300. The OFB membership number hidden somewhere in OKLAHOMA COUNTRY must match the number on the face of your individual OFB membership card for you to claim the cash prize. The membership number that appears on your magazine’s mailing label is not the hidden number, but must match the hidden number for you to claim the cash prize.

Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009 • 1

Presidentially

Speaking BY MIKE SPRADLING President, Oklahoma Farm Bureau & Affiliated Companies

Getting The Word Out

he success of relationships between individuals, groups, organizations and corporations lies in the ability to communicate accurately and in a timely manner. We all have heard the phrase: “What we have here is a failure to communicate.” That quote can be taken in two ways. First, did we communicate in error or secondly, did we not communicate at all. Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s grassroots success lies in our ability to communicate the needs of our organization to our members in an accurate and timely manner. Sam Knipp is the Vice President of Corporate Communications. Mike Nichols does an outstanding job as editor of Oklahoma Country magazine, bringing feature articles and organizational activities to our members. Dustin Mielke does a remarkable job providing audio for a multitude of events and producing cinemaquality video of many of our organization’s activities. Sam is a voice well recognized by many of the state’s agriculturists as they start their day by listening to their favorite agriculture radio station. Traci Morgan is in charge of our web site, making available Farm Bureau services and activities to those who take advantage of the world of electronic communications.

re the members of Oklahoma Farm Bureau ready and willing to take advantage of what the world of electronic media has to offer? It is

2 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009

my opinion that we must offer the latest technological advances in electronic communications that our members can utilize. I realize that some of our members will never take advantage of the speed and variety which this electronic media has to offer. That’s fine, for we have no intention of leaving them out. We have no plans on doing away with the printed form of the magazine or the Prespective, but for our members who do communicate electronically and for the next generation who will expect us to communicate by this means we must explore our capabilities and the expectations of the XY generation of members. Many of the printed media organizations, newspapers for example, have seen a tremendous decline in their readership as many of the world’s population start off their day by accessing their information from their desktop, laptop or handheld communication device. Just a short time ago the words My Space, Facebook and Twitter had little or no meaning to many of us, but in today’s world a major portion of society has interaction with a computer or electronic communication device each and every day. Our staff utilizes this technology every day but we must continue to strive to encourage our members to master and utilize this same means of communication to increase our effectiveness as Oklahoma’s most recognized agriculture organization – Oklahoma Farm Bureau. I have no idea what the future of communications holds, but knowing the abilities of our staff and talents of our

Information Technology department I feel Oklahoma Farm Bureau will offer our members the latest technology in the field of communications to keep our members accurately and timely informed.

or those of you who prefer the written media, don’t be alarmed for we will continue to meet your needs and desires but for those of you who only communicate through a keyboard or touch screen don’t get too excited for we still have a lot of work to do. I assure you that staff will explore the needs of our members and the capabilities of our organization to provide you the most accurate, timely and efficient form of information available by whatever means.

Executive

Outlook BY MONICA WILKE Fall 2009

Executive Director Oklahoma Farm Bureau & Affiliated Companies

Volume 61 No. 4 Oklahoma Country (ISSN 1544-6476)

It’s that time again – Convention is Nov. 6-8

reetings Farm Bureau Friends! It is hard to believe that it is that time of year again. The time when we all gather to visit with old friends, share Farm Bureau memories, honor our best and develop what this organization is all about, the “grassroots” policy that will guide your staff through the upcoming political season. This year our annual meeting will once again take place in downtown Oklahoma City on November 6-8, 2009, with most of our activities taking place in the Cox Convention Center. Our theme for this year’s 68th Convention is, “Our Brand-Our Future.” As the state’s largest farm organization, the Farm Bureau “FB” brand is a symbol that represents everything great about our state and the agriculture industry. It is the goal of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau staff to continue to brand the agriculture industry within the Farm Bureau name. How do we continue to brand our future? By doing what the members of this organization do best, good old fashioned hard work. All of the resolutions that will be considered have been identified by you, the members, at your August area meeting, county resolutions meetings, and county annual meetings. This age-old process that has proven successful for the past 67 years will once again allow you to draft the “play book” for your staff as we move forward. As much as we enjoy hard work, we also enjoy fun! Therefore, the Convention will have some of that this year as well. Our Saturday evening banquet will highlight Johnny Lee

4 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009

Published four times per year in April, July, October and January by Oklahoma Farm Bureau, 2501 N. Stiles, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3126, Telephone 405-523-2300. Periodicals postage paid at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Additional Mailing Offices. Postmaster: Send address corrections to: OKLAHOMA COUNTRY, P.O.B. 53332, Oklahoma City, OK 73152-3332. EDITORIAL TEAM Mike Nichols OKLAHOMA COUNTRY Editor and Senior Writer

and the Urban Cowboy Band as our featured entertainment. For those of you who enjoy a dance every now and then, please bring your boots and be prepared to “cut a rug” on the dance floor, which will be a new touch added this year for your enjoyment. We will have informative sessions as well as a variety of topics with many talented speakers. Please, look for the tentative convention highlights in this issue of Oklahoma Country and the agenda in your upcoming Perspective. I am especially looking forward to this year’s convention as your new Executive Director. While I was saddened to see Matt Wilson retire, I am excited for this new opportunity. I want this membership to know that I am truly honored to have been selected to manage the day to day operations of Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Affiliated Companies.

here are a few things that I am passionate about in my life other than my faith and family. I can honestly convey to you that I have an internal passion for agriculture, this organization and the people whom we serve. Consequently, it remains my desire to cultivate that passion into a visionary path that will lead this company through our current challenges and into a future that will take Oklahoma Farm Bureau to new heights in agriculture and the insurance marketplace. Thank you for your continued service to this organization. See you soon.

Sam Knipp Vice President Corporate Communications / PR Traci Morgan PERSPECTIVE / Online News Editor Dustin Mielke Multi-media Producer / Writer DIRECT YOUR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES TO: OKLAHOMA COUNTRY Attn: Mike Nichols 2501 N. Stiles Oklahoma City, OK 73105 405-523-2300, Ext. 2345 ADVERTISING POLICY All advertising is subject to publisher’s approval. Advertisers assume all liability for content of their advertising. Publisher maintains right to cancel advertising. Publisher does not guarantee advertiser service or products, and assumes no liability for products or services advertised. TO SUBSCRIBE OKLAHOMA COUNTRY subscription rate is $1 per year for members as part of the dues, $15 for non-members. WEB SITE www.okfarmbureau.org OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU DIRECTORS Mike Spradling, President Bob Drake, Vice President Tom Buchanan, Treasurer Roland Pederson, Secretary Ervin Mitchell, Director Donna VonTungeln, Director Larry Boggs, Director Charles Sloan, Director Billy Gibson, Director Phyllis Holcomb, Director Monica Wilke, Executive Director

Oklahoma Country • Summer 2006 • 5

Country

Gardening BY JOE BENTON Extension Education, Ag & CED Pottawatomie County OSU Extension Service

Mulch to prevent winter injury

ulch is a standard form of winter protection for many shallow-rooted plants. While in summer it is effective in retaining soil moisture, preventing erosion, and controlling weeds, in winter it acts as insulation for the soil and plant roots. Failure to mulch landscape plants and evergreen shrubs may lead to serious winter root injury. Alternate thawing and freezing of unmulched soil, as temperatures warm during the day and drop at night may cause frost heaving in the spring. Freezing and thawing in Oklahoma can occur throughout the winter and in fall may keep perennials from hardening properly or cause injury to unhardened plants Mulch retains soil heat and keeps it from escaping, which in turn protects root systems. Initially, the soil under mulch does not freeze as deeply, so plants will continue to absorb water. Mulch helps evergreen shrubs go into winter with more moisture, so less damage will occur from drying out come spring. There are many commercial mulches available in addition to pine needles, straw, chopped leaves, wood chips, corn cobs, or other organic materials available for your landscape plants. All are effective although availability and cost may influence your decision as to what to use. Keep in mind that you should avoid pine needles if you don't want acidic soil. Avoid weedy hay, using weed-free straw instead. Wood chips might take up lots of nitrogen

6 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009

when decomposed, so it’s better if they are already composted, or use chopped or milled pine bark. Regardless of the material you select, the rule of thumb for winter mulches is to apply a two- or three-inch layer. Adding more not only wastes money but also may smother the root system, and possibly kill the plant, especially shallow-rooted perennials. Some plants can withstand such abuse, but over-mulching is often a leading cause of death to azaleas and rhododendrons, as well as ash, maple, and narrow-leaf evergreen trees. Pine bark and pine needles will pack down very little, so you probably won’t need to add any more as the winter progresses. If you use straw, start with a four- to six-inch layer, as it will pack down to the desired final depth of two to three inches. You may need to add more throughout the winter to maintain that three-inch depth.

fter applying the mulch, gently pull it away from the stems or trunks of the plants. Mulching too close to the trunk may provide optimum conditions for the development of cankers on the lower trunk or stems of woody plants. If this occurs, the damage cannot be reversed, and the plants die in a matter of seasons. It also will provide a home for mice, which can chew the bark and girdle the stems, resulting in the plant’s death. Girdle means to remove a band of bark and cambium from the circumference of a tree or plant, which usually kills it.

Mulch fall-transplanted trees and landscape plants as soon as you’ve planted them. That’s because the mulch is needed to keep the soil warmer and moister for as long as possible before the ground freezes to help the roots become established. For these plants, you might want to use mouse guards around trunks to prevent injury.

or established landscape plants, mulching in mid fall will help retain soil warmth, so roots continue to grow for a longer period, and plants can absorb more moisture to head into winter in better shape against drying out. Soil temperatures under mulches can prevent soil temperatures from moderating or fluctuating wildly by as much as 10 degrees F. So if air temperatures drop to below freezing overnight, soil temperatures might remain at 40 degrees F or above and roots will continue to grow. Mulching in mid fall can help perennials harden as fall progresses. Sometimes, we get a few days of really cold weather and then a warm up. These fluctuating temperatures might kill some plants if they aren’t fully hardened. That’s why it is so critical to mulch early. If temperatures remain low in the fall for a few days, soil temperatures will drop more slowly on mulched soils, so wild swings in temperature are less apt to occur. See you next time!

Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009 • 7

“Quality of staff, membership growth and enhancing the overall image of the organization stand out for me.” Oklahoma Farm Bureau and affiliated companies Executive Director Matt Wilson announced his retirement July 15, after 32 years of service to the Farm Bureau family. “On behalf of Oklahoma Farm Bureau and affiliated companies, the board of directors wishes to thank Matt for his more than 30 years of dedicated work,” said Mike Spradling, president of OFB and affiliated companies. Wilson joined the OFB family in 1990, after 13 years with Kentucky Farm Bureau. Wilson points to three main accomplishments he is most proud of during his Oklahoma tenure. “Quality of staff, membership growth and enhancing the overall image of the organization stand out for me,” Wilson said. Membership more than doubled under Wilson’s direction, now standing at 170,000 member families. “I am extremely proud of the fact that we’ve been able to show steady growth despite numerous challenges,” Wilson said. Those challenges include a bumpy economy, turbulent weather and 9/11. “I was with the board of directors and several members of our staff in Washington, D.C., on September 11, 2001, and I saw first hand the affect of terrorism,” Wilson said. The event, along with the Oklahoma City bombing, galvanized Oklahomans to show their support for “faith, family and friends,” and Wilson believes that core belief system is why Farm Bureau has prospered. “We’re a great grass-roots, family oriented organization and when 8 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009

people are searching for something to believe in, they know Farm Bureau supports those values,” Wilson said. “With Wilson’s guidance, OFB staff has successfully worked with volunteer leaders, government agencies, legislators and the news media to solidify Farm Bureau’s reputation as a respected industry leader,” Spradling said. “His efforts have been instrumental in establishing OFB as a national leader in Farm Bureau and the agriculture industry.” Wilson dedicated many hours working with county Farm Bureau leaders on the county loan program. Since its inception in 1997, more than $12.2 million has been loaned to 54 county Farm Bureaus for building improvements. “We substantially upgraded the image of the county organizations not to mention improve the working environment for the staff with remodeled and new offices,” Wilson said. Oklahoma’s rural youth also benefited from Wilson’s leadership. Contributions to premium livestock auctions, college scholarships, sponsorship of the Oklahoma High School Rodeo Association, FFA, 4-H and other rural youth groups were strongly supported by Wilson. Other highlights of Wilson’s OFB career include establishing the OFB Legal Foundation, OKAgFund, and expanded membership benefits program. A prosperous, growing family of affiliated companies, including insurance, is also a Wilson legacy. “Our companies have profited greatly from Matt’s leadership skills,” Spradling said. In his retirement Wilson plans to spend more time with his family and training “Ben the Border Collie.”

“My plan is to build on what has been started, to go forward and seize the opportunities to take Farm Bureau to a new level in the agriculture arena and in the insurance marketplace.” Monica Wilke was named executive director for Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Affiliated Companies by the state board of directors at the September meeting. She had served as acting executive director since Matt Wilson’s retirement announcement in July. “Monica Wilke brings a new, fresh perspective, unique thoughts and ideas to move our organization forward,” said OFB President Mike Spradling. “The board has the utmost respect and confidence in her ability to achieve the goals of Oklahoma Farm Bureau and its affiliated companies.” Monica began her career with Oklahoma Farm Bureau in December 1999 in what then was the governmental relations division working on national policy issues. She also served as director of political education and assistant general counsel. She was promoted to general counsel in 2001. As the general counsel, she was responsible for advising the board of directors and management on all legal and regulatory affairs that impact Farm Bureau and its affiliates. Monica also served as lobbyist for the insurance company at the same time. “My plan is to build on what has been started, to go forward and seize the opportunities to take Farm Bureau to a new level in the agriculture arena and in the insurance marketplace,” she said. Growing up in the small southwestern Oklahoma town of Grandfield, Monica was active in school and youth activities in her church. She was a four-year officer in the Grandfield FFA chapter, an all-conference and all-area basketball player, class officer, cheerleader and Student Council officer before graduating.

She was elected state FFA secretary in 1992, splitting time of her freshman year at Oklahoma State University between classes and FFA functions. Monica’s FFA involvement sent her to Washington, D.C., initiating her interest in the political arena. Between her junior and senior years at OSU, she worked in Washington, D.C., in Sen. Don Nickles office with Ryan Leonard on agricultural issues including the draft of the farm bill and furthered her interest in the political field. After earning her bachelor degree from OSU in 1996 in family relations and child development, she was accepted into the University of Oklahoma College of Law. “I had always wanted to go to law school,” Monica said. She earned her juris doctorate in 1999, and then accepted a position with a Tulsa law firm that specialized in insurance law. Monica and her husband, Jason, and their two children, Miller, 5, and Myah, 2, reside in Edmond. The couple was married in November 1999, just weeks before Monica came to Farm Bureau. Jason, an OSU graduate, has been a partner in the Warren Edwards & Associates landscape architecture firm for about five years, where he specializes in designing outdoor living spaces. Jason has worked in the financial arena, but Monica said his primary interest has always been in the landscaping field. The family attends Henderson Hills Baptist Church in Edmond where Monica and Jason volunteer their time in the nursery department. Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009 • 9

Lone Star state saddle thieves were brought to justice swiftly. By Mike Nichols

t was just another typical day on the Morgan Ranch near Ramona. Tom and Nellie returned to the barn after a day on the range, unsaddled their horses, put the tack away and then retired for the evening. When Tom went to the barn the morning of May 16, 2007, he thought some of the ranch horses had managed to get inside and make a mess of things. The horses weren’t to blame, however. When Tom ventured into the tack room he discovered that it was thieves who had made the mess before carting off 10 saddles, valued at about $20,000. Many of the saddles were trophies won at different competitions; other were custom-made Biffs and Mocks; and one was a family heirloom that was altered years ago for Tom when he first learned to ride. Authorities were called and all the police reports were filed that May morning. Like so many crime victims, Tom and Nellie were left without their property and little hope of ever seeing their 10 saddles again. But before May was ushered out by June, all the Morgan’s saddles were safely back in the tack room and two suspects were in jail awaiting trial. Shortly after the theft, business took Tom to the Tulsa stockyards where he noticed “two ole boys were backed up unloading saddles at the sale barn. I walked over, and they said they had receipts on all the saddles.” Tom didn’t spot his saddles, but was suspicious of the two young Texans hawking saddles at the sale barn. He checked with the Nellie and Tom Morgan are pictured with some of the saddles stolen from the tack room of their ranch May 16, 2007. Some were trophies won at competitions and others were custom-made, with the value of all 10 estimated at $20,000. The saddles were recovered and returned to the Morgans thanks to the diligence of a cousin from Claremore. 10 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009

Below right: Tom (left) and Nellie Morgan and Coy Jenkins pose at the snack bar of the Morgan’s ranch home near Ramona. Coy, who spent almost 20 years in the law enforcement field, put all his investigative experience to use after thieves stole valuable saddles from the Morgan’s tack room in 2007. Below top: Oklahoma Farm Bureau Insurance Claims Vice President Richard Newberry presents a $5,000 reward check to Coy Jenkins at a Morgan Ranch corner post where one of the OFB Reward Signs was posted. Jenkins recovered saddles and was instrumental in securing a conviction in the theft of $20,000 worth of saddles. Nellie and Tom Morgan along with Washington County Farm Bureau President Macy Strom also are pictured. Below bottom: Young Chet Jenkins holds the $5,000 check his dad received from Oklahoma Farm Bureau for solving a theft case and providing information that sent the criminals to prison. Also pictured, from left, are Nellie Morgan, Coy Jenkins, Chet, TSCRA Ranger John Cummings and Tom Morgan. Coy said he planned to use the reward money to start a college fund for Chet.

12 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009

stockyard’s authorities, and rounded up all the information they had on the out-of-state saddle peddlers. Tom then telephoned cousin Coy Jenkins for assistance – a move that saw the case solved in just a bit more time than your favorite television 60-minute police drama. “Tom called me and said there were a couple of knuckleheads at the stockyards,” said Coy, who lives in Claremore and works as a loss prevention specialist for USA Drug Stores. Coy drove to the stockyards in his Arkansas-tagged company vehicle still dressed in his business suit and talked with the two Texans. “I was convinced it was them,” he remembers. “Coy called deputies from Rogers and Washington counties,” recalls Tom, “and said here’s your suspects. They said no, those guys are okay.” “They (law officers) didn’t think they were involved, and I said I guess I’m gonna have to do this myself,” said Coy. Coy is a 1976 graduate of the University of Oklahoma, who had plans to pursue a law degree. Those plans didn’t work out, and he joined the Tulsa Police Department for five years while at the same time working on a graduate degree in public administration.

When he left the Tulsa force, Coy was hired by the Oklahoma State University Police Department where he worked for six years as the training supervisor. He also spent a couple of years as the director of law enforcement training for the Oklahoma vo-tech system. Coy spent the next seven years at Texas A&M University on the staff of the state police academy, where he taught recruits the basics along with special classes in firearms, tactical operations and undercover narcotics. After almost 20 years in the law enforcement field, the job with the pharmacy chain became available and Coy decided it was “a good time to start settling down.” When the Texas suspects left the Tulsa Stockyards, Coy kept them under surveillance. He relied on his years of experience in law enforcement plus all the contacts he’d made to recover the saddles and see the criminals charged and sentenced for the crime. “They are horse and cattle thieves and I was gonna bring them back,” said Coy. “I spent the next two to three days with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle ranger.” The Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA)

rangers are commissioned law officers in both Texas and Oklahoma. “The first thing we did was head to a sale barn. We looked at sales records and found out who bought some stolen saddles.” When Coy and the Rangers found the person who bought some of the saddles, that led them right to one of Tom’s “knuckleheads.” Coy, who was clad in traditional western attire at the time, said he told the suspect: “Remember I’m the one in a suit and tie that tried to buy a kids saddle” from you in Tulsa. The suspect admitted remembering Coy. John Cummings, a TSCRA ranger, had just been hired and wasn’t a commissioned officer when the thefts were being investigated. Nonetheless, he worked with Coy to help bring the saddle thieves to justice. “Saddle theft is still a big deal,” said the ranger. “It’s an easy deal. “We try to make all the tack auctions, watch Craig’s List and check pawn shops. People know they’re getting too good of a deal (when they buy stolen saddles). And I want who’s stealing them. “We work for livestock producers,” the ranger continued. “In fact, we work for anybody who calls us. They don’t have to be members.” “I can’t praise enough the Texas & Southwest Cattle Raisers

Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009 • 13

Association rangers,” said Coy. “These guys are the ones that really got all this stuff working.” The Texas saddle thieves arrested and convicted for the Morgan thefts had a rather large theft ring in Oklahoma and Texas. They typically sold stolen Oklahoma saddles to Texans, and saddles stolen in Texas to Oklahomans. Coy returned from Texas with most of the Morgan’s saddles. Two had to be retrieved from a Florida law enforcement officer who purchased them from the thieves on the side of the highway. “He brought them back here in about 10 days,” said Tom. “Everything just hit right. It felt good to get them back. I really wanted my old saddle back. It was just unreal that we got ’em back.” “We wanted our saddles back,” reiterated Nellie, who is vice president of the Washington County Farm Bureau board of directors. The Morgans have been fortunate. They have been on their cattle ranch since 1970, and the theft of the saddles was the first major crime they’ve had to deal with in almost 40 years. “We lock up now and we put in a security system,” said Nellie. “It’s a hassle.”

Left: Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s reward program is one of the organization’s oldest member services. The old sign posted here, which still hangs today, along with the warning of a bad dog dates back at least 25 years ago when the program offered a $500 reward. Below: New Reward Sign

14 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009

hile the Morgans have changed a few things since the burglary, one thing hasn’t changed – posting of the $5,000 Oklahoma Farm Bureau reward signs on their property. The reward program is one of OFB’s oldest member services. It was set up to discourage theft, vandalism and arson on the farms, residences and other property of OFB members. The reward was increased from $1,000 to $5,000 in late 2006, and Jenkins is the first person to claim the payment. “This is the first reward payment Farm Bureau has made since the monetary award was increased to $5,000,” said Richard Newberry, Farm Bureau Insurance Claims vice president. “We are happy to recognize the efforts of Coy Jenkins in both recovering the Morgan’s stolen saddles and securing a conviction of the thieves. “Today it is rare for an individual to shoulder the task of recovering someone else’s stolen property. Coy not only shouldered that responsibility, but was instrumental in securing the evidence necessary for authorities to obtain felony convictions for the theft of the saddles.” He said the $5,000 reward was a small price for Farm Bureau to pay in this theft case. If the saddles had not been recovered and returned to the Morgans, it would have cost the company around $20,000 to settle the claim. “The reward program,” said the Claims vice president, “actually saved the company the cost of a rather large claim, and we hope that as news of it spreads criminals will think twice when they see an Oklahoma Farm Bureau reward sign posted.” Richard said it is sad that it has taken almost three years for the company to have the opportunity to present the first $5,000 reward. “However, we recognize that our court system is crowded and sometimes it takes longer than we’d all like for justice to be served. The theft at the Morgan’s ranch took place more than two years ago, and it was only recently that the justice system incarcerated the criminals despite the case being solved in less than two weeks.” Reward signs are available at all county Farm Bureau offices. New members are entitled to one free reward sign. Signs are available for a nominal cost of $1 each to both new and existing members. “We realize that no reward program will stop crime, but I think our $5,000 offer certainly serves to make all of us more cognizant of what’s going on in our neighborhood or community,” Richard concluded.

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Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009 • 15

The Oklahoma 4-H Program is celebrating its 100th birthday this year with a centennial celebration.

PHOTO BY JESSICA STEWART

By Traci Morgan

16 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009

It’s been 100 years since W.D. Bentley formed a “corn club” of approximately 50 boys in Tishomingo in 1909. Today, the organization born of that club impacts more than 141,000 young people across the state.

Happy Birthday, Oklahoma 4-H! Centennial celebrations have been popping up across the state as Oklahoma 4-H members, staff, volunteers and alumni look back, celebrate today and imagine the future. The centennial theme, “Honoring. Celebrating. Envisioning.,” has been incorporated into achievement banquets, county fairs, train rides and alumni reunions across the state. A 4-H Centennial Garden also was designed for the OSU Botanical Gardens. The year-long celebration will culminate with the Oklahoma 4-H Green Tie Gala at the Skirvin Hotel on Nov. 6, 2009. The grand event will recognize 4-H Centennial Families, display the talents of Oklahoma 4-H’ers and preview what’s ahead for Oklahoma 4-H in the next 100 years. “This is a special homecoming celebration for alums,” said Jessica Stewart, coordinator of special programs and promotions, Oklahoma 4H Youth Development Program. “We want 4-H’ers, past and present, to come together and see what 4-H is doing and reminisce about everything they did in 4-H.” Clara Wichert, chair of Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Women’s Committee, can remember her first 4-H project like it was yesterday an A-line dress she made when she was 9 years old. “It was a small flower on a cotton fabric,” said Wichert, who farms in Fairview. “The background was white, but the tiny little flowers were in various shades of blue. “Yes, I remember very distinctly the little A-line dress and being very proud that I accomplished something. And yes, it’s been a few years ago,” the 69-year-old said with a laugh. Wichert also recalls several cooking demonstrations. “I don’t know how many times I made an angel food cake from scratch,” she said. “Twelve egg whites…whip, whip, whip. I did that over and over, and I even got a blue ribbon at district. It’s a very pleasant memory.” Whether it’s a sewing project or cooking demonstration, fond memories are remembered this year for those involved in Oklahoma 4-H, which has a rich history and is deeply rooted in state soil. More than 20 Oklahoma 4-H members from across the state designed and planted the 4-H Centennial Garden, located at the OSU Botanical Gardens in Stillwater. Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009 • 17

In the early 1900s, community

PHOTO COURTESY OF OKLAHOMA 4-H

PHOTO COURTESY OF PAWNEE COUNTY

meeting after hearing stories from family members who were involved in the program. 4-H clubs began to pop up across the state and However, a move to Oklahoma City from Pauls gather steam. Oklahoma’s first 4-H Roundup, a Valley just before he was to join left the statewide rally, was held in 1921 on the campus youngster disappointed and uncertain about a of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. new 4-H Club. Approximately 1,000 to 1,200 4-H’ers would “I knew where my 4-H Club was going to be gather annually for Roundup. The event was Garvin County and was looking forward to in initially held in tents as no structure on campus that,” he said, “then we moved to the city.” was large enough to hold the group. However, Once settled, Moesel’s parents searched for Oklahoma weather became an issue when the the nearest 4-H Club and were given an tents collapsed during a storm, so in 1938 4address on Northeast 23rd Street. Not H’ers got a new building on campus. knowing Oklahoma City well, Moesel and his “When the tents blew down in the 1930s father simply followed the directions one during a storm, a resolution was passed to build Saturday morning. a building for Oklahoma 4-H Roundup on Above: Jessica Stewart, coordinator of special programs “It was just east of the Capitol and you campus,” Stewart said. “That building initially and promotions for the Oklahoma 4-H Youth thought, this is a strange place to be having a started out as the 4-H Clubs and Student Development Program, looks through an old scrapbook 4-H Club,” he said. “We kept checking the Activities Building.” while researching Oklahoma 4-H history to be used during the centennial celebration. address, and it turned out to be at the Today, that building is called Gallagher-Iba Governor’s Mansion. Henry Bellmon was Arena. Below left: Corn clubs were the foundation on which governor at the time and his daughters had a In the 1940s and 50s, 4-H’ers rallied for the 4-H was built. The first established 4-H club was in 4-H Club that met at the mansion. So, we met Tishomingo and consisted of 50 boys. “Feed a Fighter” campaign. on the top floor of the Governor’s Mansion “They grew a lot of the produce used to feed Below right: 4-H club work when it was still held in once a month, and that’s how I got started in soldiers,” Stewart said. “They were considered schools. 4-H Club.” ‘soldiers of the soil.’” Growing up in a horticultural and farming Right top: Before Gallagher-Iba Arena was built on the In the 60s and 70s, 4-H began to transition OSU campus in 1938 (then known as the 4-H Student family exposed Moesel to many traditional 4-H into an organization for everyone with projects Clubs and Activities Building), Oklahoma 4-H State projects, however, he chose a different route that held greater appeal to kids living in urban Roundup was held in tents on campus. State Roundup and became involved in public speaking, areas as well. began in 1921 and brings 1,000 youth, educators and citizenship, leadership and photography. volunteers to OSU annually. “There was a greater focus on small pet “I would say 4-H nurtured me out of being projects, and the chemistry and science of Right Bottom: Stock show in Osage County. a shy, introverted kid,” he said, “into not being cooking,” Stewart said. “The focus became more afraid to go out and live and explore and lead in life. about those processes to appeal to a bigger audience.” “4-H has been a huge factor in my growth and development,” he Charles Cox, state 4-H program leader and assistant director of the added. “I continue to believe it can have that kind of impact and Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, said the transition to a continue to see that kind of impact in other young people, so I try to volunteer-led program several years ago allowed 4-H to expand and help return the favor that 4-H gave to me.” offer more opportunities to Oklahoma youth. Moesel’s company began in 1974 with a $500 4-H Scholarship and “Oklahoma’s move to become more of a community-based, volunteernow employs approximately 30 people and has sales of over five million led program brought more involvement from 4-H members,” he said. dollars annually. The 35-year-old wholesale company sells greenhouse “Community volunteers would have club meetings in their homes, and equipment, and supplies, as well as nursery, garden center, structures, that kind of model allowed for more field trips and demonstration work and landscaper supplies to businesses across the south central region for the kids.” of the United States. Rodd Moesel, founder and president of American Plant Products and The Canadian County Farm Bureau member also is serving as Services, Inc. in Oklahoma City, recalls looking forward to his first 4-H

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Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009 • 19

PHOTO COURTESY OF OSAGE COUNTY

PHOTO COURTESY OF OKLAHOMA 4-H

Help Celebrate The Oklahoma 4-H Centennial!

Below: Kite aerial photography, pictured here, is used in conjunction with GPS and GIS mapping of communities and also teaches youth more about the world around them.

Oklahoma 4-H: Generations of Clover

Eskimo Joe’s partnered with Oklahoma 4-H to produce a commemorative T-shirt for the 100th anniversary.

Eskimo Joe’s Celebrates 4-H T-shirt Eskimo Joe’s has released its first-ever 4-H T-shirt design in honor of the organization’s 100th birthday. A portion of the sales will be donated to the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation. The commemorative 4-H full-color front design features an array of 4-H projects including livestock, rocketry, gardening, robotics and others along with the Oklahoma 4-H Centennial logo. The back design features the 4-H motto, “To Make the Best Better,” along with the 4-H clover and a blue ribbon. It is printed on an oxford gray short sleeve shirt and is available in sizes youth extra small through 3XL adult. The shirts are available at Joe’s Clothes World Headquarters in Stillwater, Woodland Hills Mall in Tulsa, Penn Square Mall in Oklahoma City; by calling 800-256-JOES; or they can be purchased online at www.eskimojoes.com.

20 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TODD JOHNSON, AGRICULTURAL COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

PHOTO BY NICOLE KLIEBERT

A centennial history book, titled Oklahoma 4-H: Generations of Clover, is being published by the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation. The hardcover book will include a compilation of 4-H history in all 77 Oklahoma counties as well as highlights from the centennial celebration. The book will be available in the spring, however, you can preorder your copy online by downloading and returning the order form and payment. To pre-order, visit the Oklahoma 4-H Centennial Web site at http://celebrateok4h.okstate.edu/, or contact Stewart.

PHOTO COURTESY OF P BAR FARMS

P Bar Farms in Hydro is featuring an Oklahoma 4H Centennial design in this year’s corn maze. The maze opened Sept. 12 and continues through mid November.

president of the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation, which provides funding and support for the 4-H Program through promotion, leadership development, education, scholarships, rewards and recognition and program expansion. “There’s a new kind of vitality and a new energy in 4-H the last few years,” he said. “The state has recommitted to get extension agents and 4-H agents in more counties, and I think there’s just a new surge of interest with the new programming.”

Today, there are more than 31, 800 Oklahoma youth enrolled in 4-H Clubs across the state. Thousands more are impacted through after school programs, and school enrichment and short-term educational programs. Approximately 4,368 volunteer leaders commit their time to helping these youth with assistance from extension educators. Oklahoma 4-H’s latest mission mandates focus on three areas: science, engineering and technology; healthy living; and citizenship. As the organization heads into the next 100 years, new, modern projects such as robotics, aerial photography and GPS mapping will be combined with more traditional projects to give 4-H’ers a broader range of activities to choose from. School enrichment as well as short-term and special interest-type programs have engaged more young people than ever before, said Cox, who’s been involved with Oklahoma 4-H for more than 30 years. “If we want to have them engaged and develop life skills with those young people, then we have to be able to provide a variety of opportunities,” he said. Technology has become an invaluable resource as the popularity of social networking grows. Oklahoma 4-H is reaching out via Facebook

and Twitter to connect with state youth who like their information brief and fast. Cox said the goal for the next 100 years is to connect with a larger, more diverse audience; to reach young people and teach them the importance of being contributing citizens. “We want young people to learn the importance of giving back,” he said. “And not necessarily in the financial way of giving back, but contributing to their community. “We also, through project work, want young people to learn about careers,” Cox said. “For example, if they’re involved in food science, they may become a biochemist or a nutritionist. They transfer those skills that they’re introduced to through project work into a vocation.” Wichert urges young people to get involved in 4-H. “I would encourage every young person to do this,” she said. “It was very worthwhile for me as a child because I had a goal. I had something I needed to accomplish, and that’s very important in any stage of life you’re at. It makes you feel good about yourself.” Wichert also has some advice for adults. “I think one of the most important things we can do as adults is to support our young people,” she said. And there’s plenty of opportunity for adults to get involved, Cox said. “The real opportunities are in their local communities,” he said. “Every county extension office needs more volunteers. And young people need caring, significant adults who are willing to spend time with them.” As the Oklahoma 4-H Program heads into the next 100 years, tradition will be built upon and a new focus will form a bright future. “We hope that for the next 100 years, things are as great as they have been in Oklahoma for the this current 100 years,” Cox said. Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009 • 21

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here were no visions of sugar plums dancing in his head when Curt Roberts planted 11 acres of sweet corn in April, but he did hope for a profitable crop. Alas it was not to be. The Arcadia farmer has suffered through the most confounding growing season he can remember in his 70 years of growing food. Join the crowd, Curt! Starting with First Lady Michelle Obama’s call to plant gardens and ending with wet, cool weather, farmers and would-be gardeners large and small, can tell you it is hard work growing food and it is never a sure thing! Like most farmers, Roberts spent last winter preparing for the upcoming growing season. But this year was going to be different. His central Oklahoma farm was being slowly crushed by urban sprawl and escalating production costs. He envisioned a way out of the black spiral by reinventing himself as a roadside marketer. Roberts’ farm is located along the historic Route 66. His driveway spills out onto the highway just a few miles east of Arcadia’s tourist attraction, the Round Barn. Making his plan even more unique was the fact the corn was planted on land settled by his grandfather in the great land run of 1889. Yes, this was special land indeed. Roberts planned to open a roadside market complete with old fashioned signs and maybe a chair or two to sit in the shade along the historic route. His wife, Mary Lou, would run the stand. His plan started to unravel when an early spring freeze followed by unseasonable cold, wet conditions damaged the newly planted corn. Then personal tragedy raised its ugly head. Mary Lou slipped and fell, breaking her hip. If that wasn’t bad enough, the weather turned hot and dry just when the corn was pollinating, further reducing the yield. He added tomatoes, squash, watermelons and cantaloupes to the plan, hoping to capitalize on the hot weather. In August, the rains finally came and didn’t stop until the bottomland was floating in a sea of mud. Cooler temperatures accompanied the rain, slowing the vegetable’s progress. Roberts pounded a home-made sign into the dirt along the highway, advertising his crops. A few of the locals stopped, and he managed to sell most of his inventory.

From right to left: Arcadia farmer Curt Roberts displays sweet corn grown on land settled by his grandfather in 1889. A homemade sign at the entrance to Curt Roberts farm along Route 66 east

of Arcadia points the way to satisfy a sweet tooth with Roberts' home grown watermelons. Curt Roberts’ time-worn hands grasp the edge of a freshly-cut watermelon as he prepares to test the sugar content.

“It’s been a tough road, I’ll tell you,” Roberts said as he mopped sweat off his forehead. “Never seen anything like it.” Mary Lou is healed now. The walker sits in the corner, unneeded. She helps Curt add up the numbers. “We didn’t make any money on the corn,” Curt said. “But we did better on the melons and squash,” chipped in Mary Lou. Such is the life of someone who dares to coax food from the soil. It seemed so easy in the spring as gardeners rushed to plant carrots, tomatoes and all their favorite veggies. But Mother Nature conspired to make things challenging. Pigweeds, grasshoppers and aphids wanted their share of the succulent crops. Personally, my feeble attempt to grow food this year has alternated between feast and famine. The early plantings of peas and green beans were frozen and/or drowned. Subsequent plantings survived only to be cooked by June’s 100 degree days. The tomatoes surrendered in July when the night-time temperatures refused to cool sufficiently to hold the blossoms. Squash bugs munched my zucchini into oblivion and the cucumbers fell prey to a nameless little striped beetle. I eventually

Mother Nature has a way of intervening. By Sam Knipp 24 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009

Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009 • 25

convinced the pepper plants, lettuce, carrots and beets to flourish, and we did manage to harvest enough zukes to scare the neighbors. The takeaway message is the fact growing food is hard work. It requires a little luck, cooperation from Mother Nature and skill at knowing exactly when to plant and when to harvest. Roberts confesses he learned a few lessons in this, his first attempt at “truck gardening.” “I need to do a little more research on the commercial (seed) varieties suited for this area,” Roberts said. A stubborn streak runs thick through this tough Oklahoma farmer. He is already making plans for next year. “I am going to add peaches as soon as I get the land cleared,” Roberts said.

Garfield County Farm Bureau wanted to connect consumers with farmers by helping sponsor the Enid Farmers Market. Shown from left are Oklahoma Farm Bureau insurance agent Bryan Bay, Garfield County Farm Bureau President Gary Johnson, Goltry farmer Barbara Crain, Enid Farmers Market Executive Director Cory Groendyke, Garfield County FB Women’s Committee Chairperson Desidive Milacek, OFB President Mike Spradling and OFB Field Representative Todd Honer. The Farmers Market sign atop the old railroad depot in Enid attracts customers every Saturday morning during the growing season.

f spending your Saturday mornings drinking coffee and squeezing vegetables is your idea of fun, then you could be a locavore. And what better place to practice your craft than a farmers market. The New Oxford American Dictionary defines a locavore as someone who eats food grown or produced lo1cally. The idea to buy local has mushroomed into an entire movement, leading to magazines, 26 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009

newsletters and dozens of social networking sites dedicated to the craft. Locavores have helped propel farmers markets to the top of the list of popular weekend hobbies. According to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, approximately 60 farmers markets are registered in the state. “It’s a great way to connect the farmer with the consumer,” said Cory Groendyke, executive director of the Enid farmers market. “We want to make this a place where families can buy healthy food in a fun environment.” “I like buying locally-grown food,” said Nelson Norman, Arcadia. “It seems like much of the fruits and vegetables in grocery stores are often from third-world countries.” Farmers are anxious to cash in on the “buy local” trend. “We’re excited to have a market close to home,” says Barbara Crain, Goltry. Her family produces grass-fed beef and yogurt for sale in the market. “This is a great place to educate the consumers on how we produce food.” “Hopefully we can add a little value, and profit, to the crops we grow,” said Curt Roberts, Arcadia. To help boost interest in the Enid farmers market, Garfield County Farm Bureau joined with other local groups to sponsor the market. “This is our (Farm Bureau) roots, helping farmers sell their products,” said Gary Johnson, president of Garfield County Farm Bureau. “It is a win-win situation for farmers, consumers and Farm Bureau. We have to let the consumers know what we do, how we do it and why we do it.”

Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009 • 27

Roy Gaines (dressed in solid blue) and other members of his team stopped to chat with natives about vaccinating their animals.

AWeek Without One Sale An agent donates his time in remote areas of Nicaragua. By Mike Nichols

28 â&#x20AC;˘ Oklahoma Country â&#x20AC;˘ Fall 2009

Oklahoma Farm Bureau Insurance agent Roy Gaines traveled about 3,600 miles from July 25 to Aug. 1 and was in contact with hundreds of people. But Roy didn’t write one policy. In fact, the idea of selling insurance probably never crossed his mind as he traveled to some of the most remote areas of Nicaragua. Roy and his wife, Ann, and their 13-year-old grandson, Skyler Kelli Acres, were members of Frizzell, and Roy’s CSR, the Baptist Medical Dental Mission

International (BMDMI) annual pilgrimage to Nicaragua. Washington County Farm Bureau’s 2008 Farm Family of the Year, Dr. Bill and Carolyn Fesler, also made the trip. “This is my seventh year to make the trip,” said Roy, who put his layman’s vet skills to use and administered vaccines, wormers and vitamins to cattle, horses and dogs in the South American country. “I was just giving shots to cattle, horses and dogs for a week.” Ann, Skyler and Kelli worked under the direction of medical and dental professionals in makeshift clinics where thousands of Nicaraguans waited for hours in long lines for medical attention. Roy and his fellow travelers from Washington County joined more than 60 people representing 11 churches from eight different states on the mission trip. While it was his seventh trek to Nicaragua, the most recent trip had a distinct Farm Bureau flavor.

Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009 • 29

ome time before the group was scheduled to depart, Roy contacted fellow agents in northeastern Oklahoma to ask for their help. He asked them to donate money to help purchase the veterinary supplies that would be used on the week-long trek to the rugged mountainous areas of Nicaragua. “Fourteen sent money to buy the medical supplies. This was the first time I asked other agents to help and they responded. It was a good Farm Bureau effort on the team. The vaccines and supplies were paid for in total by other Farm Bureau agents,” said Roy. The money agents donated was used to purchase Ivomek, blackleg and anthrax vaccines, B complex vitamins and rabies vaccines. Some of the animal medical supplies were purchased in the states. Members of the mission team transported products that required refrigeration, others were shipped and some were purchased in Nicaragua. The entire group met in the capital city of Managua before departing on the mission trips. Groups took bottled water along since the local water supply can’t be consumed. They also cooked all their own meals, with some serving 100 meals three times daily. Roy and three others on the animal team traveled to the most remote areas of the country to locate the people with cattle and even stayed in the native villages while they were there. “The people there are very, very friendly. They’re glad to see us. “They’re very, very poor,” said Roy. In fact, 80 percent of the population lives on less than $2 per day.

30 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009

“Most of them live in a one-room hut with a dirt floor,” he added. His team always traveled with an interpreter, and on this trip a 19year-old Nicaraguan female vet student accompanied them. Roy said all the cattle are Brahman crosses, and are “pretty wild.” Despite the cattle being a beef breed, he said the Nicaraguans also milk the animals. “They tether them to milk them,” he said. “All the cattle we treated were roped by people on foot and snubbed up to post or tree to be vaccinated.” Roy said parasites “are the main problem there. They’re rampant, in both cattle and people.” He was not sure of the exact parasite, but described it as a grub-like organism that makes large knots on the animals’ sides. “The Ivomek we gave in vaccine form kills the parasite. We took a lot of supplies. We have to take everything we give.” He estimated that his group dosed several hundred head of cattle along with many dogs and horses. Horses are important to the locals, since they serve as their main form of transportation. “You always had to be ready in case the federales showed up,” said Roy. “We always try to have a local vet travel with us in case the federales show up. The government checks (the vaccines) to make sure they are not dated.” He said the interior mountains where his group spent most of its time contain spectacular scenery.

Counterclockwise from far left: Skyler Frizzell, 13-year-old grandson of Roy and Ann Gaines, writes down information from a blood pressure check at a makeshift clinic in Nicaragua. Hugh crowds lined up outside temporary medical facilities set up in local schools to see medical and dental professionals. Horses were tied and waited nearly all day while their owners were lines for medical and dental treatment. While skilled professionals made the trip to Nicaragua, a flashlight still came in handy for this tooth extraction. Dentists on the team pulled more than 200 teeth during the week-long mission trip. Ann Gaines, wife of Washington County agent Roy Gaines, paused a moment from her pharmaceutical duties to pose with these two young girls.

Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009 • 31

From bottom to top: Cattle wait on a mountain path in Nicaragua to be vaccinated. Despite the animals being a Brahman cross for beef production, the locals also milk them. Washington County Farm Bureau agent Roy Gains (dressed in solid blue) prepares to vaccinate a Brahman cross tethered to a post. Roy Gaines vaccinates a dog on the streets of Santa Lucia, Nicaragua.

“It’s a beautiful country. . .just the government and the weather conditions have ruined it as far as being an agricultural producer.” Currently, most agriculture in the country is small-scale and labor intensive but livestock and dairy production have seen steady growth over the past decade in Nicaragua. “I have noticed improvements,” said Roy, looking back over his seven visits. hile he did not provide medical treatment to humans, he said that the medical team probably saw more than 4,000 people in three days at one clinic set up in a very rural area. Dr. Fesler, Roy’s Washington County neighbor, retired from a family medical practice in 2006 and he and his wife have a cow and goat herd now. The doctor comes out of retirement two or three times each year to travel to Nicaragua. “I got involved because one of the guys (Dr. Fesler) that heads up our team is from our church here.” While the mission trip is focused on the medical and dental needs of the rural Nicaraguans plus the care of their livestock, several tons of clothing were passed out to those visiting the medical clinics on the recent trip. The group also distributed rice and beans – a local staple – to those coming through the clinics. “It’s unbelievable how well everything works,” Roy concluded.

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34 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009

all in Oklahoma brings with it the invitation to turn on the oven and bake some of your favorite treats. And one storied dessert has the ability to beckon people of all ages with its friendly, inviting reputation: the cookie. You know them: warm, gooey, mouthwatering morsels loaded with melting chocolate or soft, inviting raisins. The smell fills a kitchen and a home, beckoning family members to the tasty morsels. Kids and adults alike jump at the chance to sit down at the table with a tall glass of milk and share a plate full of the snack, fresh from the oven. It is this allure that the Buss family of Garfield County tapped into to create a sweet business selling frozen cookie dough that is sure to please even the most discriminating cookie aficionado. The Busses use a time-honored family recipe to craft the delicious delectables. The story starts with the name the cookie dough bears – Grandma Opal. “She had to bake me a batch of cookies to give me the recipe,” Tami Buss said of her 89-year-old grandmother. “She does everything by dashes and smidges.” The Busses currently produce two flavors based on Tami’s grandmother’s recipes, classic chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin. Grandma Opal’s cookie dough is the result of a farm family looking

An Oklahoma Farm Bureau family blends a family recipe with Oklahoma-grown wheat for a tasty enterprise. Author and Photographer: Dustin Mielke

Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009 • 35

Previous page: Freshly baked oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip cookies are a tempting treat for anyone who enjoys a good cookie. Grandma Opal’s cookie dough is available in a three-pound tub (left) or a 15-ounce box of 12 pre-portioned cookies. Below: The Buss family brings Grandma Opal’s cookie dough from their north central Oklahoma fields to your plate. From left to right: Bo, 8; David; Tami; Tucker, 10; Kearstin, 17.

36 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009

But it’s the Oklahoma-grown winter wheat that makes these cookies to diversify its operation by adding value to an Oklahoma agriculture stand out from the crowd. staple – hard red winter wheat. The family of five grows more than 800 acres of the venerable crop in addition to alfalfa, summer crops and a he Busses got their start by stone-grinding their own wheat herd of commercial ewes. However, David Buss wanted a way to into flour and selling it at farmers’ markets. Tami had the capture more value from his wheat, rather than marketing it in the idea of selling her grandmother’s cookies, so the Busses created traditional way and allowing other people to realize that profit. a dry cookie dough mix for people to prepare and bake in their “We wanted to add value to what we grow here in Oklahoma,” David own homes. However, the family wanted to offer a more convenient said. “It’s packaged here in Oklahoma and everything is done in-state.” option for enjoying the The dough uses Oklahomatime-tested recipe. sourced hard red winter wheat. “We had been grinding the The Busses use their own wheat flour and we had a dry cookie when possible, and wheat from mix,” Tami said. “However, the Shawnee Mills supplements the cookie mix wasn’t convenient family’s supply. enough, so we needed something “We started using our own that was pre-made. We went to wheat, but we had a year with no OSU and they helped us take the wheat crop due to a drought,” dry cookie mix recipe and turn it David said. “Now we just make into dough.” sure it’s Oklahoma hard red The Busses worked with food winter wheat.” engineers and marketing The Busses pride themselves on specialists at the Robert M. Kerr making a cookie that they are Food and Agricultural Products excited to feed their own children, Center at Oklahoma State Kearstin, Tucker and Bo. University. “When we started, we wanted “The first time we converted something that we felt would be the recipe to volume, it didn’t healthy for our kids,” Tami said. turn out right,” David said. “It “Our ingredient label is pretty wasn’t an instant hit. It took short because of the butter and quite a few times of trial and eggs,” David said. “It doesn’t have error and OSU’s help to get the any preservatives or oils or cookie dough to turn out.” shortenings. It’s quality ingredients The center also helped the you can pronounce.” family design packaging and David said the whole wheat, develop necessary nutritional butter, eggs and lack of information. The Busses still preservatives help make the cookie work with the center as their a healthy alternative to options brand continues to grow. produced by larger food companies. “OSU’s FAPC center is a world The dough is frozen to keep it of knowledge,” David said. “We fresh, since there are no did everything from labeling to preservatives. The Busses have nutrition – they helped with made cookies from dough that was everything.” kept frozen for three years. Once the proper mixture was David said butter makes for a created and the packaging was soft, melts-in-your-mouth texture. ready, the Busses started Even after sitting out on a producing and marketing the countertop or any other place in dough. the open, the cookies are moist A co-packer prepares, and chewy. packages and freezes the dough while the “When they open a package, it will look Top: The pre-portioned frozen cookie dough comes ready to place on a baking sheet and put in the oven. Busses supply the flour, which they grind. darker because of the whole-wheat flower,” This, the oatmeal raisin variety, takes 12 to 15 minutes David picks up the finished product to David said of the dough’s color. “Of course, it to bake. A scoop-it-yourself variety is also available. distribute to customers, which range from will be just a little bit grainer because it’s Bottom: Grandma Opal’s oatmeal raisin cookies fresh grocery stores to schools. In 2008, the Busses whole wheat.” from the oven, ready to be enjoyed. sold approximately 8,000 pounds of dough. The cookies retain their dark color when To get the product into the hands of cooked, unless the snacks are baked in a potential customers, the Busses spend a lot of time doing “demos,” convection oven. At first glance, it’s easy to think that the person who where they give people cookies to try. Grandma Opal’s cookies are also baked the cookies possesses less than optimal cooking skills. Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009 • 37

baked by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission in their always-popular portioned cookies. For food services, the Busses offer a 15-pound box convection oven at many agricultural trade shows. David said the with 192 servings. cookies’ taste immediately grabs people’s attention. A three-pound tub is also available. Customers simply scoop out the “People can’t believe the taste when they try one that’s 100 percent amount of dough they want for each cookie. David suggests rolling the whole wheat,” David said. “It shocks them that it tastes so good.” dough into balls for optimal results. “People say that it’s the best oatmeal raisin cookie that they’ve After a quick 10 to 15 minutes in the oven, depending on the flavor tasted, or it’s the best chocolate chip cookie,” Tami said. and your oven, the cookies are warm, moist and ready to eat – just be “I don’t think we’ve ever had a negative response.” careful not to burn your hands on a hot, fresh cookie. The treats are At the 2009 Enid Farm Show, easy enough to make for even the David handed out more than 4,000 most baking-challenged among us. cookies in about a day and a half. To paraphrase a famous quote, The Busses attend regional and writing about cookies is like statewide events to give out dancing about art. How do the samples. cookies taste? It’s everything that While traveling with the Wheat people enjoy in a home-made Commission or baking cookies in a cookie, without the need to break grocery store’s convection oven out the flour and mixing bowls. provides an easy and reliable way to It’s easy to see why the Busses bake samples, David said preparing have people tell them it’s the best for a demo sometimes brings the cookie they’ve ever tasted. They family together in their home are moist, flavorful and brimming kitchen. with down-home deliciousness. “If we have to do a lot and there’s And if you enjoy bypassing the no oven available, we’ll bake them baking and eating cookie dough, the day before,” David said. “We’ll the uncooked product doesn’t have to bake at home, like for the disappoint. American Dietetic Association. We’ll With a taste so good, what’s bake 300 to 400 the day before.” next for David, Tami and family? “Nobody volunteers to bake “The next step would be cookies anymore,” David said getting it distributed on a bigger jokingly of his family. level and getting people aware of David says a lot of legwork is it through demos,” David said. required to earn the cookies a place The Busses hope to add more on store shelves or on school menus. distribution deals that would get Traveling and promotion takes away their dough distributed throughprecious time from the farm family’s out Oklahoma and beyond. already packed schedule. They are also focusing on even Grandma Opal’s cookie dough is more schools and grocery stores. currently available for grocery Eleven schools are adding shoppers at Jumbo Food stores and United Grandma Opal’s cookies to their menus for the David Buss shows a sampling of cookies baked from Supermarkets in Enid. Baked cookies are also Grandma Opal’s cookie dough in one of the family’s first time in the fall of 2009. wheat fields near Hunter, Okla. The Buss family uses featured in several school districts around the The Busses are also working with FAPC at its own hard red winter wheat and other Oklahomastate, as well as at the Laughing Tomato OSU to increase the amount of whole grain in sourced wheat to make a healthier cookie. restaurant in Norman on the campus of the the cookies. David said they are aiming for an University of Oklahoma. entire serving of whole grain per cookie. Tawnya Carter, manager of the Laughing Tomato, said students The passion that this family has for their product is evident in their enjoy the cookies. The restaurant served about 60 cookies a day in the faces when they tell you about the time and dedication they’ve invested first weeks of the 2009 fall semester. into Grandma Opal’s cookie dough. “They actually look like a homemade cookie,” Carter said. “I think It is a product seemingly everyone can feel good about. Oklahomathat’s why some kids really like them – they remind them of home.” sourced wheat, no preservatives, real eggs and butter, and a tempting flavor all add up to a cookie that doesn’t have much of a chance at hen you get the cookie dough into your own kitchen, lasting very long in a house with even a casual cookie enthusiast. the cookies quickly and easily transform from dough Now all you need to do is find a box or tub of Grandma Opal’s to delicious. dough, pop it in the oven for a quick bake, and as the instructions on The dough comes in two different forms – pre-portioned each box read, “Let cool and enjoy with a glass of milk.” single-cookie servings and a ready-to-scoop tub. The single-portion For more information on Grandma Opal’s cookie dough, dough is ready for the customer to put on a cookie sheet and pop in the contact the Buss family by phone at (580) 684-7700 or by e-mail at oven. Consumers can buy a 15-ounce box containing a dozen preupperredfork@pldi.net. 38 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009

Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009 • 39

All Around

Oklahoma

Unique Oklahoma real estate firm run by farmers “

e’re farmers, first and foremost.” That’s how Woods County Farm Bureau member Shane Terrel, the owner, describes himself and the others who work for Hunting Country Real Estate & Auction, which is headquartered in Alva. “We’re not real estate guys that happen to farm a little, we’re farmers who have real estate licenses. From a cultural and historical standpoint, we’re simply farmers.” Terrel founded his company in 2004. It specializes in land and mineral sales and is dedicated to supporting the cultural values of the family farm. “The company’s foundation is built on the belief that their success is a direct result of the

Right: Eddie Smith, left, and Shane Terrel check some of the listings of Hunting Country Real Estate. The Alva-based firm is operated by farmers, and specializes in agricultural land and mineral sales. Below: After a successful local land auction, Hunting Country Real Estate and Auction associate Eddie Smith presented this check to Burlington FFA on behalf of the company. This is one way the company strives to support the future of family farms.

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trust and support of the landowner,” he explained. “As a company, we realize that our success is mostly dependant upon the farmer’s opinion of our business practices. “Anyone from a rural farm community knows that the impressions of the local community carries a lot of weight with your business’ success. So, we try to always have the farmer’s best interest at heart.” Terrel’s philosophy for the company apparently is reaping dividends. The firm opened a Texas office in San Antonio on Aug. 1, with plans to cover all of Texas. Future expansions for Hunting Country’s market include Missouri office locations in 2010 in the central region of the U.S.

He said the market the company has created over the past five years has allowed “us to help farmers continue their operations in many ways. “First realize that normally, the best land for hunting purposes tends to be the least favorable to most farm operations. The marginal land with limited production potential often has the best quality hunting habitat.” Terrel said his company has sold a lot of the marginal farmland for hunting for prices “close to what the best quality farm land sells for. “We have also sold a lot of oil and gas minerals, the income from which has allowed our farmers to eliminate most of their debt and continue farming with less risk.” Hunting Country has generated more than $60 million in sales over the past four years. “The biggest reward for us is that a portion of our sales have created a financially lifechanging experience for our clients (farmers). “Most of our sellers are selling because of appreciated land values, but the few who had to sell, or those without any choice are the most memorable. When their hopes were to merely clean up the debt, we managed to go above and beyond their expectations by selling to a non-resident recreational market on the surface acres and a large portfolio of corporate mineral buyers on the sub-surface acres.” Terrel said since he and his associates are actively involved in farming, they are knowledgeable about USDA farm programs and how those programs can compliment the habitat and add value to land. The company is “built on rural values,” and the foundation is built on the belief that “it is the support of the landowner which allows us to realize major growth potential in our endeavors. Our success is due to the trust that farmers and ranchers have placed in our ability to market their land.” Terrel said his company also offers auction services. One of the company associates is Eddie Smith, the longtime state supervisor of agricultural education and FFA advisor who retired from that position about two years ago. To learn more about Hunting Country, visit its website www/huntingcountry.net

Cunninghams receives 2009 Leonard Wyatt Award he Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation presented Murray County Farm Bureau members Jack Cunningham and Jack “Jackie” Cunningham Jr. with the 2009 Leonard Wyatt Memorial Outstanding Cooperator Award during a special presentation at the Southern Plains Beef Symposium. The Leonard Wyatt Memorial Outstanding Cooperator Award is given annually to one of the 1,700 farmers and ranchers who work with the Noble Foundation's Agricultural Division. As part of its mission, the organization provides farmers, ranchers and other land managers – called cooperators – with consultation services and educational programs in an effort to help them achieve their financial, production, stewardship and quality-of-life goals. Criteria for the Leonard Wyatt Memorial Outstanding Cooperator Award is based on accomplishments within the farmer’s or rancher’s operation, their community service and their willingness to assist other farmers and ranchers, said Billy Cook, senior vice president and Agricultural Division director. “Jack and Jackie Cunningham have the work ethic, the know-how and the flexibility that makes them great stewards of the land,” said James Locke, soils and crops consultant. “The Cunningham ranch is what a true family farm is all about.” The Cunninghams moved from the Kerrville-Junction area in Texas, to Springer, Okla., in August 1981. When they came to Oklahoma, they had 70 registered cows, five registered herd bulls and 31 head to sell. “We contacted the Noble Foundation in December 1981. Our biggest need was to learn how to farm and ranch in a totally different environment,” Jack Cunningham said. “The Noble Foundation consultants specifically helped us focus on pasture and cropland fertilization, and weed and brush control. It made an immediate difference in our operation.” The Noble Foundation consulting team brought the Cunninghams a wealth of information about soil and forage analysis, stocker cattle health and feeding programs, cattle marketing, pasture management and rotational grazing, as well as weed and insect

management. Noble Foundation agricultural economists further assisted in developing recordkeeping systems and risk management tools. “The Noble Foundation’s assistance has

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation presented Murray County Farm Bureau members Jack Cunningham and Jack “Jackie” Cunningham Jr. the Leonard Wyatt Memorial Outstanding Cooperator Award. The father-son duo received the 2009 award during a special presentation at the Southern Plains Beef Symposium.

meant a great deal to us,” Cunningham said. “We’ve partnered with them for almost 30 years – through the good times and the bad – and I know we wouldn’t be where we are without them.” The Cunninghams are involved in their church and the Sulphur Roundup Club. Their cattle industry involvement includes membership in the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Carter County Cattlemen’s Association and the Murray County Cattlemen’s Association. “Jack and Jackie provide assistance to their fellow producers, helping them develop their business and finding ways to improve their farm or ranch,” Locke said. “Their willingness to share is one of their greatest attributes.” As the winners of the Leonard Wyatt Memorial Outstanding Cooperator Award, the Cunninghams receive a plaque and belt buckles. Their names will be placed on a permanent plaque that is displayed in the Agricultural Division Building lobby.

Safe use of propane on the farm encouraged ith nearly 80 percent of U.S. farms using propane as an energy source, safety is an important aspect of propane’s role in the agricultural industry. “Propane is a good alternative fuel for many of our farms and citizens with homes in rural areas. It is relatively economical and readily available,” said Oklahoma Farm Bureau Safety Services Director Justin Grego. “Propane is a reliable energy source with several built-in safety properties. It is nontoxic and nonpoisonous, so it does not contaminate aquifers or soil. Propane cannot be ingested because it is stored as a pressurized liquid that vaporizes when released from the tank.” However, he said it is important for those using propane to recognize that the fuel can present dangers. He offered these tips for using propane: • Learn what propane smells like. Propane retailers have access to consumer safety education brochures that include a scratch-

Propane tanks can be found on many farms and at homes in rural areas. Propane is a good alternative fuel, but can present dangers.

and-sniff feature to help you recognize its distinctive odor. • If you detect a gas leak, immediately put out all smoking materials and other open flames, evacuate everyone from the structure or area by moving upwind (away from the leak), turn off the main gas supply valve on your propane tank if it is safe to do so, and call Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009 • 41

911, your local propane provider or your local fire department from a neighbor’s telephone. Do NOT operate lights, appliances, telephones, or cell phones in an area where you suspect gas could be present. • Know where gas lines are located, so you won't damage them when digging or working in the yard or around the farm. • Follow manufacturer recommendations for proper propane equipment and appliance maintenance, and always ensure maintenance is performed by a qualified technician. • Never try to modify or repair valves, regulators, connectors, controls or other parts of any appliance, cylinder or tank. Doing so creates the risk of a gas leak. • Do not smoke or have any ignition sources, such as flames or spark-producing electrical tools, in the area while handling or

transporting cylinders. • Never store small propane cylinders, such as those commonly used for barbecues, indoors or in an enclosed area such as a basement, garage, shed or tent. • Don't store cleaning fluids, oil-soaked rags, gasoline or other flammable liquids near a gas-burning appliance where vapors could be ignited by the pilot light. • Ask your local propane dealer for more information on the safe use and handling of propane on your farm and in your home. “The entire agricultural industry needs to increase awareness of safe work habits on our nation’s farms,” said Grego. “If owners and operators will simply take basic precautions it will help ensure the safety of the farmers who make such a large contribution to our food supply and economy.”

Safety Seminar ore than 30 teenagers from across Oklahoma attended the 42nd annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau Safety Seminar. The June 15-17 seminar, held on the Tatanka Guest Ranch outside of Chandler, provided an opportunity for teenagers to receive specialized instruction on a variety of safety topics, ranging from farm safety to autotrain safety and from electrical safety to fourwheeler safety plus Farm Bureau’s DUI Prevention Program. The group also spent a day on the ROPES Course near Stillwater to learn the importance of team building. The teenagers also enjoyed an evening at Oklahoma City’s Frontier City amusement park. Drake Rice, with operation Lifesaver Oklahoma, is pictured here with some of the charts he used to illustrate the dangers of railroad crossings.

Members’ son earns dairy scholarship yle Langley, son of Adair County Farm Bureau members Mike and Shandra Langley of Westville, has been awarded a scholarship by the Midwest Dairy Association. The Ozarks Division of the dairy association presented the $500 academic scholarship through its 2009 educational program. The education program is an initiative that helps dairy farm families with the expense of college. Kyle plans to attend Northwestern State University and will study engineering. “Dairy farmers value checkoff programs that encourage innovation and strive to increase demand and consumption of dairy products,” said Stacy Dohle, industry relations manager for Midwest Dairy Association. “They are dedicated to supporting the education of youth from dairy backgrounds. The educational program is an excellent way for dairy farmers to help support the future of agriculture.”

K OKMULGEE COUNTY OPENS NEW OFFICE kmulgee County Farm Bureau celebrated the grand opening of its new office at 610 East 6th Street in Okmulgee on June 16. County President Larry Harvey welcomed guests and the Women’s Committee provided refreshments. Joining Harvey for the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony were county and state Farm Bureau leaders and staff, Oklahoma Representatives Steve Kouplen and Jerry Shoemake, Okmulgee Chamber of Commerce representatives, a county commissioner and the mayor. The county broke ground for the new building during Farm Bureau Week in February 2008, and construction was completed to facilitate the move-in process in February 2009. The brick structure is about 6,000 square feet, and is located on the main gateway to downtown Okmulgee. The county occupies half of the new complex and leases the remainder to the Western Sun Credit Union.

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AREA MEETINGS Public Policy Vice President Lori Peterson holds a copy of the 2009 Policy Development Book as she speaks to the crowd at one of the 12 Area Meetings Oklahoma Farm Bureau hosted in August. The meetings marked the beginning of the organization’s grassroot policy development process. Field Representative Robin Landrum asks the crowd of 50-plus at the Aug.11 District 6 Area Meeting in Muskogee for more issues to discuss during the policy development session.

Haskell County Director Foster Johnson, right, chats with District Director Larry Boggs prior to the District 5 Area Meeting at the Expo Center in McAlester Aug.18. Pittsburg County Farm Bureau President Gary Crawley speaks during the District 5 Area Meeting in McAlester Aug.18.

District 6 YF&R Representative Jodi Simmons of Adair County reported on recent YF&Rhosted activities in the state at two Aug.11 Area Meetings. Muskogee County Vice President Dick Sheffield, standing, chats with Cherokee County Directors Sam Lamons, left, and Johnnie Carlile prior to the District 6 Area Meeting Aug.11 at the Muskogee County Farm Bureau office.

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Annual Convention Is Set For Nov. 6-8 klahoma Farm Bureau’s 68th convention, “Our Brand – Our Future,” will attract nearly 1,000 delegates and guests to Oklahoma City’s Cox Convention Center Nov. 6-8. The Friday-Saturday-Sunday annual meeting will tend to the business of the state’s largest farm organization as well as set policy to help mold the future of the state and nation. Three state directors plus the delegates for the 2010 American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting also will be selected. Top state awards to counties and individual members also will be presented during the annual meeting and competitions, such as the Discussion Meet, will be held. At the early September press time, the schedule was: The opening session begins at 1:30 p.m. Friday. U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas and U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn have been invited. Ed Bell, a Hagerstown, Ind., farmer will speak. He will talk about his experiences of dealing with a disability and hardships on the farm. Breakout sessions follow at 3:15 p.m. and repeat at 4:15 p.m. Mark Gold, managing partner of Top Third Ag Marketing, will lead a session on commodities and risk management. Tim Amlaw, program manager, will talk about the American Humane Society’s Certified program he oversees. The annual awards and recognition program is slated for 7:30 p.m. It will feature presentation of awards like the Secretary of the Year, Distinguished Service and Farm Family of the Year as well as the top YF&R awards along with other county and individual awards. An ice cream social to raise funds for the OFB Legal Foundation is scheduled immediately following the awards program. OFB Expo, the convention’s official trade show, will host a variety of vendors promoting agricultural businesses and associations, along with other retail vendors. The trade show promises something for everyone. Nov. 7 activities begin with the annual policyholders meeting followed by a general session. The general session will focus on setting policy for 2010. Delegates also will select delegates for the next AFBF annual meeting. Various YF&R and Farm Bureau Women’s functions follow the general session adjournment at noon. When the general session reconvenes at 2:15 p.m., results of caucuses for

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state director districts two, five and eight will be announced. Delegates will elect the organization’s president before finishing resolutions and adjourning for the day. A reception for Ag Fund donors is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. A second reception for former state directors and state FBW members is slated for 6 p.m. The annual banquet begins at 7 p.m. and will be followed by a performance by the legendary Johnnie Lee and the Urban Cowboy Band. A dance floor will be available. Nov. 8 activities begin with breakfast for county presidents, FBW chairmen and leaders in the legislative arena. The Vespers and Memorial Session begins at 9:15 a.m. Heather Whitestone McCallum, the first Miss America with a disability, will be the speaker. Inspirational music by The Homesteaders and a memorial ceremony for Farm Bureau members will be a part of the morning’s session, which concludes the annual meeting.

Contest attracts 13 farm families hirteen Oklahoma families have been nominated by their county Farm Bureaus for consideration as the 2009 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year. The winning family will be announced during the Awards and Recognition Program of the 68th annual meeting of Oklahoma Farm Bureau in Oklahoma City in November. The winning family will receive an expensepaid trip to the 2010 American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting in Seattle, Wash., and other prizes. The annual contest honors the farm family who best represents farming and ranching and the spirit of Oklahoma agriculture. Farm families nominated, listed in county alphabetical order, are: • Randy and Tammy Ritchie of Adair County. The family operates more than 300 acres with four 100,000-capacity broiler houses, and an 80-head dairy herd. They raise all their own hay and operate a chicken litter spreading service. • Robert and Frances Kraft of Alfalfa County. Robert bought his first tractor in 1946, and is still farming after running a custom

harvesting business for 35 years. The family has a large operation, with 801 acres in wheat, 205 in alfalfa, 45 in feed and 69 in grass. They also have 35 Longhorn cows and 23-cow calf pairs. • Skip and Janice Wright of Craig County. He began farming in 1960 with cattle, wheat and milo, working as a foreman on a large operation. He bought the operation in 1967 and today the focus is a 200-head cow-calf herd, Quarter Horses for show and sale, butcher beef and Bermuda and native grass hay. • Joe and Mary Jo Peeper of Garfield County. After spending five years as an ag teacher in Missouri and earning his master’s degree, Joe returned to Oklahoma with his wife to manage the family farm. They now farm more than 600 acres with foundation and registered wheat plus sesame and canola test plots. Pastures now are used for hay or as payfor-gain rentals after dispersal of their 80-head cow-calf herd. • Joe and Debra Bates of Jackson County. They have a large operation, with 250 pair of cattle on 800 acres of pasture, and plant nearly 5,000 acres of irrigated and dryland cotton, and 4,200 acres of wheat. Joe also partners with his brother and owns and operates a trucking business. • Virgil and Brenda Payne of Kiowa County. After growing up on the farm and farming in partnership with his brother, Virgil went into the ministry for several years before returning to the farm in 2000. Most of the Payne’s land in rented, with wheat and hay being the primary crops. They also have a cowcalf herd and have been expanding a garden operation to sell produce. • George and Christina Vinson of LeFLore County. The Vinsons own 150 acres and lease another 800. They raise about 250,000 broilers annually and have a 300-head cow-calf herd and a 75-head meat goat operation. They produce and bale their own hay, and George does welding on area farms to make gates, fences and corrals. • Paul and Melinda Fruendt of Logan County. Both Paul and Melinda began farming at a young age with 4-H projects, with Paul beginning as a full-fledged farmer in 1980 with 40 acres of wheat. Since they married in 1993, the farm has grown to 750 acres of pasture and 350 acres of cropland, with intensive notill crop rotation that includes wheat, corn, canola, sunflowers, grain sorghum, forages

and experimental crops. They also run a stocker herd. • Brook and Kody Strader of Major County. Brook joined his grandfather on the family farm in 1986 and has been in agriculture ever since. Their current conservation tillage operation consists of 2,450 acres of wheat, corn, soybeans, grain sorghum and feed. They’re certified wheat seed dealers, and also have a 90-cow-calf operation in addition to selling liquid feed supplements and livestock minerals. • Bill and LaNell Boyer of Muskogee County. Bill was reared on a cattle and custom farming operation, but LaNell was a city girl until they married in 1966. They operate a 450-head Jersey dairy and also have a 120head beef cow-calf herd plus a 200-head sheep flock. They grow 60 acres of grain sorghum with the balance of their land in pasture. • James and Lynda Williams of Payne County. After more than 40 years on the farm, the Williams have transferred about 85 percent of their operation to their daughter and son-

in-law. They still own 1,050 acres and have 90 cow-calf pairs on 200 acres of grass and put in about 190 acres of wheat in a no-till operation. • Cody and Melissa Moore of Pontotoc County. While they’ve been married just more than two years, both have been in the farming and ranching business since they were old enough to reach the pedals on the tractor. Their operation is 160 acres with a cow-calf herd along with breeding and breaking Quarter Horses. They manage a Longhorn ranch for their family in the county. Their family also has an 11,000-acre operation in another state that raises Longhorns and horses. • Gregory and Jeri Parker of Seminole County. They began their ranch in 1990 with 40 acres. They have since leased and purchased more land. They began selling processed beef in 2004 by the package, quarter, half or whole carcass from their 80-head herd. They also sell farm fresh eggs in health food stores as well as through the Oklahoma food co-op. They are building an on-farm store and restaurant to feature their beef and eggs.

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Three vie for Achievement Award hree county Farm Bureaus submitted nominees for consideration as the 2009 YF&R Achievement Award. The award honors the state’s top young farm family. The winner will be announced during the Awards and Recognition Program of the 68th annual meeting of Oklahoma Farm Bureau in Oklahoma City in November. The winner receives an expense-paid trip to the 2009 American Farm Bureau Federation convention in Seattle, Wash. The Oklahoma winner also receives a WW Livestock Equipment squeeze chute and other awards. The nominees, listed in county alphabetical order, are: • LaSheil Knowles of Haskell County. She and her husband, Brian, operate 635 acres with two commercial poultry houses, cattle and horses. They raise their own hay and have a custom hay operation. LaSheil and Brian serve on the state YF&R Committee. • Jon and Natalie Leeds of Muskogee County. The couple has a diversified farming operation consisting of some 1,500 acres. Corn, soybeans and wheat are the primary enterprises. Jon also is a sales representative for a major seed company, and he serves as president of the Muskogee County Farm Bureau board of directors. The couple serves as chair of the county YF&R Committee. • Chad Selman of Tulsa County. He operates 2,000 acres with cattle, pecans and hay being the primary enterprises. Chad also manages a custom pecan company and manages his family’s farming operation. He serves as chair of the Tulsa County YF&R Committee.

Three nominated for YF&R award wo county Farm Bureaus have submitted nominations for the YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award that will be presented at the 68th annual convention in Oklahoma City in November. The award recognizes successful young people 35 or younger who are involved in farming but whose primary occupations are not farming or owning an agricultural

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business. The award is based on their involvement in agriculture and participation in Oklahoma Farm Bureau and other community organizations. The winner receives four-wheeler ATV plus a trip to the AFBF convention in Seattle, Wash., to represent Oklahoma in the 000594571 national contest. • Mason Bolay of Perry was nominated by Noble County. He has completed his second year as a vocational agriculture instructor at Thomas. Mason serves on the Oklahoma YF&R State Committee and works on his family’s farm on the weekends. • Jason and Mandi Robedeau of Red Rock were nominated by Noble County Farm Bureau. He works as a UPS driver and she is

an administrative assistant in the school of hotel and restaurant management at Oklahoma State University. They own a herd of commercial cattle with plans to expand, and have created their own farm fresh beef business in the last two years. The couple serves as chair of the Noble County YF&R Committee. • Jeff and Sarah Weeks of Shawnee were nominated by Pottawatomie County Farm Bureau. Jeff is eastern region coordinator for the Oklahoma Agritourism program and Sarah serves as a 4-H youth development educator with the OSU Extension Service. The couple purchased her great-grandmother’s farm in 2003 and now runs 35 head of cows on it and some leased pastureland. They serve on the Pottawatomie County YF&R Committee.

Garfield County FB, Conservation District announce partnership on portable corral s part of their ongoing effort to support local farmers, ranchers and other landowners, the Garfield County Farm Bureau and the Garfield County Conservation District announced their partnership on acquiring a set of portable corrals to be available for rent to local producers. “We’re excited about this partnership between Farm Bureau and the local Conservation District,” said Gray Johnson, president of the Garfield County Farm Bureau. “By working together, we can provide a real service for livestock producers in our county by making these corrals available for their use.” The corral, purchased by the Farm Bureau, will be maintained and administered by the

Garfield County Conservation District. Farmers and ranchers will be able, for a minimal fee, to rent the corral for use on their land. “Our goal is to be of service to the farmers, ranchers and other landowners in Garfield County,” said Dale Milacek, chairman of the Garfield County Conservation District. “We are excited to have the ability to provide this equipment to our producers and really appreciate the Farm Bureau in working with us to provide this and other services to the landowners of our county.” Anyone interested in information on how to rent the corral or anyone interested in conservation programs can contact the Garfield County Conservation District at 580-237-7880. Garfield County Farm Bureau President Gary Johnson, left, OFB Agent Brian Bay and Conservation District Manager Jason Skaggs pose in front of the new corral available for rent thanks to a partnership between the Farm Bureau and Conservation District.

Ralph’s Packing celebrates 50 years in November alph’s Packing Co., an Oklahoma meat company in Perkins, celebrates 50 years of business and service starting Nov. 1. To celebrate, Ralph’s Packing will be giving away four limited edition smokers and offering in-house specials during the entire month of November. Gary Crane, owner of Ralph’s Packing, said there have been many changes for the company during the previous 50 years. “The three biggest changes that have affected the plant included the Wholesome Meat Act in 1967, dad buying the first vacuum packaging for the company in 1974 and the HACCP regulations in 1996.” The history of how the company began is well stated on the company’s Web site: “In 1959, in the small town of Perkins, Okla., Ralph Crane started a small meat company with the idea of producing a product of the highest quality. He perfected a curing and smoking process that is second to none, and it has been proven by many awards, honors and recognition. His dream was to have a good product that everyone could enjoy at an affordable price. This tradition is carried on today by his family and company with outstanding results.” Both Gary and his wife, Tess, take pride in running a family business. They have two daughters who are involved in the business. “There was a time we pushed our girls away from the business because it was just getting so hard,” Tess said. “It’s nice it’s going to continue. Ralph’s has a good reputation, and it’s nice to know people realize that.” Although Ralph’s Packing began as a fresh meat plant, the business branched out into producing fully cooked products in the ’90s. Some of the cooked products currently produced include beef jerky, smoked ribs and whole hogs. “People want convenient products; something they can heat and eat,” Gary said. “The majority of our products are fully-cooked. Almost a complete turnaround from the ’60s.” For about the last 10 years, all of the market hogs that Ralph’s uses for the whole hot product come from Oklahoma State University. “If it wasn’t for OSU, I don’t know what we

would do,” he said. “There’s no local hog farmers around here anymore to purchase market hogs.” That’s not the only help Ralph’s Packing gets from OSU. The company has been working with the Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center since essentially the inception of the center in 1997. Gary is a member of the FAPC Industry Advisory Committee, which serves as an advisory board to the center. Also, Ralph’s Packing has received technical assistance on some of its products, including analytical services and validation studies. “Over the years, the FAPC has been very good to me,” he said. “I’m probably the luckiest person to have the FAPC at my back door.” Ralph’s Packing products have won several championship awards from the OklahomaTexas Meat Processors Association and the American Association of Meat Processors. In

fact, Gary and the company took top honors during the recent American Association of Meat Processors convention. Gary won the Lifetime Achievement Award and the company was awarded grand champion hot dogs and reserve grand champion bacon. Both Gary and Tess look forward to 50 more years of the family business. The business is doing so well that the company is expanding by adding a new retail building that will be connected to the current retail area. The new retail space will be three times as big as the current one and will provide more room for customers and to display products.

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Making Work Pay provision may cost taxpayers in April any Americans who are enjoying the few extra dollars per paycheck that the credit has allowed could be in for a shock when it comes to preparing their 2009 income tax returns, according to Pam Charles, Internal Revenue Services

Stakeholder Partnerships Education and Communication Division. “Depending on your situation, Uncle Sam just might want some of that money back,” said Charles. The tax credit was designed to provide up to $400 to individuals and $800 to married couples as a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act enacted in February. Workers are receiving the credit through small increases in their paychecks due to adjusted withholding tables that employers started using April 1. The amount of credit will be reported on the 2009 income return. “For many of us, the new tax tables will simply mean smaller than expected tax refunds next year because less tax is being withheld now,” said Charles. “Some taxpayers who decrease their withholding in order to get small refunds could face an unwelcome tax

bill next spring.” She said those at risk include: • Married couples when both spouses work • An employee with multiple jobs • A retiree who receives a pension and does not have any wage income • An employee who can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return • An employee who receives Social Security, SSI, Railroad Retirement or VA payments “If someone falls into one of those categories, the tax being withheld from their pay or pension may not be enough,” said Charles. “It would be wise to check the federal withholding to make sure sufficient taxes are being taken out of their pay.” She suggested taxpayers who want to do a check up should obtain Publication 919, How Do I Adjust My Tax Withholding, or access the withholding calculator at IRS.gov.

Researcher working to create ultimate drought-resistant grass

SAFETY AWARENESS klahoma Farm Bureau Safety Director Justin Grego discusses the dangers of operating ATVs while intoxicated. Grego and the Safety staff participated in the Latimer County 4-H Drug Awareness Day July 16 in Wilburton. The Safety Department presented programs on drug awareness plus the popular driving under the influence program using go-carts and intoxication-simulation goggles at the camp. Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics agents and Latimer County Sheriff Department personnel also participated to help educate the 4-Hers on the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Tony Johnson, Latimer County Extension educator, said that “Oklahoma Farm Bureau safety instructors once again did a tremendous job working with our 4-H youth on safety education. Thank you for the awesome safety educational programs presented.”

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luegrass hybrids ideal for pasture and for lawns could be developed faster using genetic markers developed by an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist. ARS geneticist Jason Goldman at the agency’s Southern Plains Range Research Station in Woodward, Okla., identified nine DNA primers that produce markers that can verify successful bluegrass hybrids from DNA samples. This saves time because breeders currently have to wait for the plant to mature before they can verify a hybrid by physical characteristics. The markers can be used on seedlings. Goldman’s goal is a Kentucky bluegrasslike lawn or pasture grass that is highly tolerant to drought. The research is part of the laboratory’s program for breeding perennial cool-season forage grasses for the southern Great Plains as alternatives to wheat and other annual crops. Texas bluegrass is native to southern Kansas, Oklahoma, western Arkansas and most of Texas. It tolerates heat and drought, but produces seed that is difficult to harvest and re-plant. It also lacks the turf quality of

A test plot of the “ultimate grass” is growing at the Woodward research center.

Kentucky bluegrass. Kentucky bluegrass is not tolerant to heat and drought, but has excellent turf characteristics and produces seed that is easy to harvest and clean. Goldman’s goal is to combine them into one variety with a broader geographic range than Kentucky bluegrass, while retaining Kentucky bluegrass’ good qualities. The hybrid must also retain Kentucky bluegrass’ ability to produce seed that breeds true, ensuring identical progeny. Goldman plans further tests to cross Texas bluegrass with other bluegrass species in addition to Kentucky bluegrass, and to see if the markers can be used for other purposes, such as identifying markers linked to desirable or undesirable plant traits.

Win a Dodge Ram at YF&R contests Study finds no big difference in organic, conventional food

ost accolades come in the form of flimsy ribbons or cheap pieces of plastic, but the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers and Ranchers competitions give you the chance to win a legendary Dodge truck. Show off your agricultural know-how at the

National Convention in Seattle, WA, Jan. 10-13, 2010, and you could win a brand new Dodge Ram. The contest is open to all YF&R members, so contact your local Farm Bureau for all entry details. For more information about Dodge Ram trucks, visit dodge.com or call 800-4ADODGE.

An independent review commissioned by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) shows that there are not important differences in the nutrition content, or any additional health benefits, of organic food when compared with conventionally produced food. Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service Pesticide Coordinator Dr. Jim Criswell published the results of the review in a recent issue of Pesticide Reports. The OSU newsletter said Gill Fine, FSA director of consumer choice and dietary health, gave the following synopsis of the review: “Ensuring people have accurate information is absolutely essential in allowing us to make informed choices about the food we eat. This study does not mean that people should not eat organic food. What it shows is that there is little, if any, nutritional difference between organic and conventionally produced food and that there is not evidence of additional health benefits from eating organic food.” Dr. Criswell reports that the study, which took the form of a systematic review of literature, was carried out by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). LSHTM’s team of researchers reviewed all papers published over the past 50 years that related to the nutrient and health difference between organic and conventional food, Dr. Criswell reported. “This systematic review is the most comprehensive study in this area that has been carried out to date,” the newsletter reported.

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As reduced tillage practices become more popular, more stubble is left in the field which means more opportunity for tire damage.

Farm tires under assault oday’s farm tires are under an all-out assault. For decades, crop stalks and stems have been growing in strength, as seed genetics companies have bred plants for better standability and higher resistance to wind and insect damage. But cut by a combine and angled correctly, each of these stalks can act as a razor-sharp spear. And, as reduced tillage practices become popular, more stubble is left in the field – which means more opportunities for tire damage. Tire companies have fought back through the strength and design of their tires, according to Wayne Birkenholz, manager of field engineering for Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations Firestone Ag Tires. “Tire manufacturers walk a fine line,” Birkenholz says. “If rubber is too soft, it’s vulnerable to puncture, but if it’s too hard, it’s vulnerable to cracking.” Fortunately, you can fight back against stubble too. Protect your tires from damage by following these four tips: • Install stubble shoes or other similar devices on your combine header to flatten any stalks before they can hit your tires. • Make an effort to drive between rows, and if making multiple passes with different implements, follow the same path each time, so you’re driving over pre-flattened stubble. • You rotate the tires on your car so that

50 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009

they wear evenly – the same approach applies to four-wheel-drive tractors, which mount the same size tires on both axles. Back tires don’t suffer as much stubble damage as front tires, since they’re rolling over stubble that the front tires have already flattened. Rotating the tires that take the brunt of the stubble spreads out the damage. • Rubber hardens with age. If you have a choice, run older tires in no-till fields – they’re harder and may be better able to resist the stubble. Conversely, avoid running recently manufactured or purchased tires in conditions likely to cause damage.

Know your credit ou may hear a lot about credit reports, but do you know how to get one, what information is included or how to improve it? Sissy Osteen, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension resource management specialist, said a credit report is a document that gives details about the debts you owe and how you have paid them in the past. “Depending on which credit bureau you request information from, the information may vary. This is because not all creditors report to all the bureaus,” Osteen said. “If all your accounts aren’t listed, that is fine. Different creditors are members of different credit reporting agencies. What you really need to look for on a credit report is if there are any errors.”

Errors in a credit report can include anything from misspelling your name on accounts in your name that you did not open or have not used to accounts that are not yours and have been opened fraudulently. Any errors should be reported to the credit bureaus immediately to dispute them. Osteen said the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act in 2003 mandated that each individual be allowed their credit report from the three major credit reporting agencies once per year. The bureaus include Equifax, TransUnion and Experian and reports can be obtained from the Web site www.annualcreditreport.com. “Some companies may advertise free credit reports, but often these free reports come with a contract for credit report monitoring,” she said. “The only way to get your mandated annual reports is from the annual credit report Web site.” Osteen said a credit report includes several items including identifying information such as name, address, social security number, date of birth and employment information. It also has auto loans, mortgages and credit cards – with the date the account was opened, the credit limit, amount currently outstanding and payment history. “Credit inquiries including those the consumer authorizes when they fill out an application, credit checks requested by you when you order a credit report and promotional checks done for advertising and promotional purposes, are listed on the report,” she said. “Also expect to see public records like bankruptcy, collection accounts, judgments, liens and wage garnishments.” The information on a credit reports allows lenders to see whether you are a good credit risk or not. Creditors also use risk scores (credit scores) to determine whether to make loans. Credit scores are not included with free credit reports, but can be purchased at the time the reports are pulled. “A yearly credit report is important for your financial health,” Osteen said. “A yearly credit report will show what is going on with your finances and will alert you to problems you may have not been aware. It is a good idea to know what is in your credit history before you start shopping for credit. It is also the best way to ensure that your identity is protected.”

USDA forecasts 38 percent drop in net farm income this year et farm income is forecast to be $54 billion in 2009, down $33.2 billion or 38 percent from the preliminary estimate of $87.2 billion for 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service. The 2009 forecast is $9 billion below the average of $63.2 billion in net farm income earned in the previous 10 years. “In 2009, crop prices have continued to decline, and prices for livestock animals and products have experienced sharp declines,” the ERS noted in its Farm Income Forecast 2009. “With economic conditions deteriorating worldwide, demand for exports has tailed off, with few options available to expand marketing elsewhere. Sharply declining demand in 2009 has forced farmers to accept prices that are lower than were expected earlier in the year when production plans were made.” The forecast is a very sobering summary of the current economic situation. Farmers are responding to the markets’ collapse by slashing costs any way and everywhere possible. Unfortunately, these market conditions likely will be with us for a while, and many producers are adjusting shortterm production plans and trying to wait out the storm. In the short term, consumers might benefit from lower retail prices, but if this economic situation continues, more farmers will be pushed out of business. If that happens, everyone stands to feel that loss in the grocery store, and rural communities stand to feel it on Main Street as well. On the input side, the ERS noted, “prices are also projected to be lower than in 2008, particularly for most manufactured inputs,

feed and services such as repairs or transportation. Overall, the reduction in gross income will far exceed the reduction in production costs.” The 2007 and 2008 increases in farm expenses, at $34.8 billion and $22.5 billion respectively, were the largest year-over-year absolute changes on record. The $9.2 billion decline in expenses projected for 2009 would still leave farm expenses 5 percent higher than in 2007. The average family farm household income for this year is forecast to be $75,895, down 5.2 percent from 2008 and 8 percent below the five-year average for 2004-2008. The average family farm is forecast to receive 7.6 percent of its household income from farm sources, with the rest from offfarm sources. The 2007 Census of Agriculture found that 45 percent of U.S. principal farm operators identified farming as their primary occupation.

Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009 • 51

Oklahoma Farm Bureau debuts new Web site klahoma Farm Bureau’s commitment to bring the latest agricultural news and information to a broad audience continues with the launch of the organization’s newly designed Web site. The new Web site not only features a good blend of organizational information and agricultural news, but also a clean, modern look while taking advantage of standout agricultural photos taken by OFB staff. “It was important that we design a Web site that’s not only attractive, but one which will give visitors what they’re looking for at the click of a mouse,” said OFB President Mike Spradling. “We analyzed previous site traffic to determine what our visitors are looking for and armed with that information, we were able to design a fantastic Web site I believe people will find very useful.” There is no other communication tool that provides information more quickly than the Internet. Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Web site is updated daily, or as soon as information becomes available, to provide our audience with the timeliest information out there. Visit us at www.okfarmbureau.org today!

AWARDING SCHOLARSHIPS eminole County Farm Bureau President Syd Morgan recently awarded $2,000 scholarships on behalf of the county to several students. On hand to accept scholarships were, from left, Kailyn Parker, Lauren Crowe and Whitney Evans. A forth recipient, Allison Parsons, was unable to attend the presentation.

52 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, AND CIRCULATION 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

10.

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13. 14. 15.

Publication Title: Oklahoma Country Publication Number: 1544-6476 Filing Date: September 16, 2009 Issue Frequency: Published in January, April, July and October. Number of issues published annually: 4 Annual Subscription Price: $1.00 members; $15.00 non-members Complete mailing address of known office of publication: 2501 N. Stiles, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma 73105-3126 Complete mailing address of headquarters or general business office of publisher: 2501 N. Stiles, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma 73105-3126 Full names and complete mailing addresses of publisher, editor, and managing editor: Publisher: Oklahoma Farm Bureau, 2501 N. Stiles, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105-3126 Editor: Mike Nichols, 2501 N. Stiles, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105-3126 Managing Editor: Mike Nichols, 2501 N. Stiles, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105-3126 Owner (if owned by a corporation, its name and address must be stated and also immediately thereafter the names and addresses of stockholders owning or holding 1 percent or more of the total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, the names and addresses of the individual owners must be given. If owned by a partnership or other unincorporated firm, its name and address as well as that of each individual must be given. If the publication is published by a nonprofit organization, its name and address must be stated.) Oklahoma Farm Bureau 2501 N. Stiles Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105-3126 NON-PROFIT CORPORATION. Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities: None Tax Status (For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at special rates) The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: Has not changed during preceding 12 months Publication name: Oklahoma Country Issue date for circulation data below: Summer 2009 Extent and nature of circulation A. Total no. copies (net press run) (average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months): 151,938 (no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date): 160,139 B. Paid and/or requested circulation 1. Paid/requested outside-county mail subscriptions stated on Form 3541 (average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months): 150,935 (no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date): 159,145 2. Paid in-county subscriptions (average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months): 0 (no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date): 0 3. Sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors, counter sales, and other non-USPS paid distribution (average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months): 0 (no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date): 0 4. Other classes mailed through the USPS (average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months): 0 (no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date): 0 C. Total paid and/or requested circulation (average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months): 150,935 (no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date): 159,145 D. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (By Mail and Outside the Mail) 1. Free or Nominal Rate Outside-County (average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 month): 803 (no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date): 794 2. –– –– 3. –– –– 4. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution Outside the Mail (Carriers or other means) (average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months): 200 (no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date): 200 E. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months): 1,003 (no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date): 994 F. Total distribution (average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months): 151,938 (no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date): 160,139 G. Copies not distributed (average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months): 0 (no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date): 0 H. Total (average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months): 151,938 (no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date): 160,139 I. Percent Paid and/or requested circulation (average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months): 99.3% (no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date): 99.3%

I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. — Mike Nichols

Home Security

Right now only Oklahoma Farm Bureau members can receive a home security system installed at no charge plus $200 to use toward the purchase of any additional equipment. System includes control panel, key pad, 2 door sensors, motion detector, siren, yard signs and full service warranty. Monitoring is required. The fee is $24.95 per month.

TOTAL SECURITY CENTER 866-321-4177 www.tscsecurity.com

Introducing Our New

Digital Internet Video Security System

• Remote or local security monitoring from any PC via the Internet. • Includes Dell Dimension computer and four color cameras.

Now Only $1,475 Installed!

Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009 • 53

Country

Classifieds AUTOMOTIVE

’04 Ford F150 Heritage XLT super cab, fully loaded, like new inside/out, 15,000 miles, $13,000 OBO. 580-446-5434. ’62 Chevy 2-ton flat bed dump, 500 miles on rebuilt engine, good PTO, hyd. lift, needs ball joints, tires, parked 2nd year, $1,000. 817-282-1913. ’50 1/2-ton GMC pickup, good restoration project, current tag, good OK title, $2,550; old JD equipment, ’40s Case hay baler. Warner, 918-463-3178 after 8 p.m., leave message. ’03 Dodge dually 4x4, fully loaded, auto trans., new tires, 56,000 miles, under warranty, great condition, $19,500 OBO. 580-759-8828. ’00 Honda Civic, 94,000 miles, dependable transportation, great gas mileage, $5,000. 405-872-8988. Japanese mini truck, clean, excellent condition, 4x4, has OK title. 580-298-7590, 298-3809. ’30 model A Ford coupe hot rod, flat head V8, 3-speed on the floor, needs little to finish, $8,995. 918-626-3860. ’95 WGM, DS body, 18-wheeler, model WIA, one-owner, never wrecked. 580-563-2815, 214-695-6512. ’65 Ford T-Bird, new landau top, $3,700. 918-432-6008. ’05 Tahoe, 48,000 miles, VGC, like new inside/out, 3rd row seating, tri-zone heat/air, power/heated outside mirrors, tinted windows, roof rack, side steps, rear window defogger/wiper, CD/cassette, blue/gray int., 4.8 liter V8, 20.5 mpg, one-owner, $16,500. 918-617-2914. ’90 4x4 5-speed 3/4-ton Ford w/mounted Trip Hooper cattle feeder w/hydraulic round bale spike; wagon grain auger; branding table; two-horse trailer. 580-252-2978. Blue Hi-Jet mini truck, less than 50K miles, new interior, has AC, 40 mpg, great condition, $5,750. 580323-6018. ’94 Chevy 2-ton truck, 16 ft. steel bed; ’79 Int. 2-ton with steel bed; storage trailer. 405-258-6559. ’97 Peterbilt truck, great cond.; 5-ft. Brushog, $350; Top Hand roping chute, $850; P/U bed stock racks, $100; saddles; small flat bed trailers, need work; home school books. 405-258-1297. ’00 Ford F250 diesel, $9,000; ’97 Jayco designer 37’10 5th wheel travel trailer w/3 slide outs, $12,500. 405-399-4507. ’83 IH S1955 flatbed dump, DT466, 9-speed, $5,000; Cat D5B, 80model, low hours, excellent undercarriage, blade tight as new, farmer owned, $31,000. 405-850-1005. ’27 Chevy, ’31 Model A sedan, ’31 Model A roadster replica (1979’. 580-363-1974.

FARM EQUIPMENT Hx10 JD brush hog, used twice, like new, gear box, center rated 140 HP, two outers 95 HP. $6,500. 580-226-8777. Salvage propone tanks, 100 to 1,000-gal., good for air, fuel, culverts, feed troughs, etc., 20-50 cents per gallon, 100s available, 24 to 41-inch diameter, volume discounts. bltanks.com, 405-375-4189. Antique horse-drawn sod plow, asking $175. 405-224-4202. ’77 Oliver 1855 w/front wheel assist, high lift loader. 405519-0775 cell, 405-893-2361. ’01 Hart aluminum 3-horse slat, stud stall, mangers, 6’ short wall, sleeping quarters, shower, stool, kitchen, $25,000. 918-774-0647. Leaf/mulch grinder, heavy, on wheels, 5 HP motor, needs fuel line clean out, mfg. ’60s, probably about 4-ft. high, in OKC. 405-751-0933. Kelly Ryan feeder mixer wagon, scales, GC, unloading elevator; ’99 Silverado 2500 4x4, 454, crew cab, AT, GC. 918-967-8435. Antique farm equipment – cultivators, stalk cutters, sulky rake, 2-bottom plow; 20 sheets corrugated steel,

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native wood timbers. 405-454-2662. Pecan harvester, Sides, self-propelled, 750-lb. hopper, highly maneuverable, efficient, fast machine, ready to work, kept under shed. 405-277-3503. 15 1/2” padded seat saddle, exc. cond., Vega Bros. made saddle for Billy Cook plus wooden saddle stand, bridle, pads, $450, oil twice yearly. 918-535-2656, antiquecowboy@netzero.net. ’00 Sooner 4-horse trailer, H&A, front dressing room, front/rear tack, $12,500; 75 HP JD tractor 2640; front end loader; 9-ft. Brush Hog, $12,500. 580-320-3006. ’50 Allis Chalmers B tractor, runs, $500; 100s of Volkswagen toys, $500; old Timex display case, $200. 918-284-3053. 14-hole grain drill on steel, good condition, $400. 918623-2036. Ford tractor, 1500 series, 2 brand new back tires, 5’ Brush Hog, 6’ angle blade. Charles Nelson, 405-207-8021. Super C, 2-point, not running; 3 Cubs w/belly mowers; B Farmall w/belly mower; Super C, parade ready. 918352-2966. ’95 Tyler sprayer, Patriot XL, 60-ft. boom, JD engine, 2,250 hours, $32,500. Manchester, 580-541-2326. ’71 Case 1170 tractor, 100+ HP, cab, dual 18x38, PTO, $5,500. Manchester, 580-541-2326. 4,000-ft. 6 7/8-in. pipe; 2,300-ft. 2 7/8-in. pipe; 310 ft.; _in. sucker rod. Norman area, 405-627-3920. 38 joints of 4-inch irrigation pipe, 30 feet long, riser and sprinkler in middle. 580-846-5675. Aeromotor windmill VGC, both tower and head, read to move, used on farm, approx. 2-27 feet tall, $3,000. Call for pics. 580-765-2655, leave message. Hay buggy with geared winch – carries one round bale at a time, $200. 405-454-0945. 8N Ford, good cond., needs starter, $1,800 OBO; ’73 Ford Rancero for restoration, fair body, 302 V8, runs/drives fair, $1,000 OBO;}75 Ford F600 flatbed dump truck, bad motor, good trans. and tires, $1,500 OBO. Bixby, 918366-7444. Bermuda King 4-row sprigger, trailer; 4430 JD w/cab, air, duals. Rush Springs, 580-476-2351.

AQHA yearling filly, sorrel w/blaze, out of a Palomino stud; she’s very nice w/Poco breeding, been handled, haltered, leads. 918-387-2706. Mini jenny donkeys – 1 4-month-old, 1 1-year-old, $300 each; mini jack, 5 months, very gentle, $100. 405-452-3844. Big stout, gentle, easy-calving Limousin bulls, best cross of Angus, Hereford, Brahman-based cows, for 10-11 % increase in weaning weights. Kusel Limousins, since 1979. 405-643-2884. 10 young black cows calving Nov. thru Feb., $900 each; young black pairs, $1,050. 580-549-6222, cell 580-678-5759. Arabians, Pintos, half Arabians – variety of ages. RockingGFarm.com, Ron at 918-284-7505. Reg. Hampshire ram, $300; black Suffolk ram, $100; 1219 JD swather, $3,000. 405-454-3896, 249-8838 cell. 10 Longhorn cows w/calves, bred back; hay hauler trailer, single bale w/winch. 405-820-2351. Attention meat goat breeders – Savanna buck available, 8 to choose fro, 75% to DNA tested full bloods, Indian Territory Farms, Comanche, 580-439-6059. 40 cows, mostly blacks, 3 to 7 years, 3 to 5 months bred; ’81 Glastron boat, 470 Mercruiser, nice condition. 405258-6559. Shows steers, heifers progeny of top quality sires, reg. Angus, Maine and Chi, reasonably priced. Bobby Bryant, 405-749-4820, 918-762-3949; Megan Bryant, 405-747-1977. Corriente roping cattle. Chickasha, 405-222-3243, 574-5685.

MISCELLANEOUS APPRAISAL CAREER OPPORTUNITY Earn $65,000/yr part time. Farm Equipment and Livestock appraisal training and certification. Agricultural background required. Classroom or Home Study courses available. (800) 488-7570. www.amagappraisers.com

LIVESTOCK Reg. Polled Hereford bulls, 21 months old, PW Victor Boomer P606, Remitall online 122L genetics; also a few cow/calf pairs; JD grain drill. 580-332-2468. Serviceable age Angus bulls, black Maine, will FT; small wheat straw; 3-point Bermuda grass digger; JD 21-ft. draper header. 405-381-4307. Bred commercial Angus heifers, top northern genetics, Brorsen Ranch, Perry. Call Verl at 580-336-4148, Bart at 405-614-0221. Linebred Harlan colts by Double Tough Harlan out of Harlan bred mares. 918-762-3769, kbarger@cowboy.net. Reg. Beefmaster bulls, cows, show heifers, great pedigree bloodlines, many are polled, red, dunn, black. See at doubledeucebeefmasters.com or call 918-2538680, cell 918-557-6923. Give your heifers a break, use a Texas Longhorn bull. Bulls, cows, ropers at reasonable prices. Steve Douglas, 580-223-2919. ’08, ’09 Hampshire rams. Call Twin Cedar Farm, Henryetta, 918-652-4149 for details. 25 Angus cows, 4-6 years old, bred to Angus bull, 2 calves on ground now. $1,000 per head or pair, buyer takes all. 918-652-1933, 652-1404. Beefmaster bulls, females, developed on forage, bred for the 6 essentials, foundation genetics, practical cattle with performance. Simon Creek Beefmasters, 580-668-2523.

Honey extracting equipment, silver queen uncapper, honey/wax separator, two 20-frame extractor, tanks. 405-329-1312. Dell Latitude D410 notebook computer, 1.7GH, XP Pro, DVD, WiFi, $279. 580-925-443. New insulated well houses. 580-641-1267, 476-2608. Coke collection, 100s of items, large, small, table & 4 chairs, some items are old, $1,000. 580-234-0654 for details. Stinson 108 air frame parts, Franklin 150 engine parts, old aircraft radios, serious calls only at 580-628-3441. Kelly Haney limited edition prints, some framed, approx. 75 to choose from, best offer. 580-743-2980. Minerals for lease in Stephens, Kiowa counties (none for sale, lease only). Have land for lease for cell towers in Stephens County. 580-255-5335, leave message. ’90 Vision 160V 16-ft. boat, ’89 Johnson 88 HP motor, trolling motor, fish finder, live well, trailer, new battery, EC, lake ready, $3,700 cash. 405-240-7750. 4 lots Floral Haven Cemetery, $1,100 each, $4,000 for all. 918-696-8649, 507-2787. Ramsey Termite & Pest, free estimates. 405-598-2083. Gold wedding set, 12 diamonds, 1/4 karat, lg. diamond,

1/2 karat, 3/4 total, clarity, appraised $3,200, best offer. 405-789-5196. 32-bulb tanning bed, 3 years old, model Focus 32 by ESB, great condition, have all paperwork, $1,000 firm. 580-471-5695. Texoma T Striper Guide service, fishing guide Sterling Smith, kids under 12 just $40 each w/paid adult. 800490-2986, striperfishingtexoma.com Antique clawfoot tub, enamel very good, stamp reads 5 1/3-4-O 10-16-09. 67” XL 22”T, $400 OBO. 580-318-6040. Cleaning – homes, offices, cabins, lodges, commercial, in Sulphur, Davis, Dougherty, Mill Creek. Smile Clean, 580-622-3888, Gayla Hollis. 70 feet of 4 1/2” new plastic water well casing, 10 feet perforated. 580-234-9585. Crocheted names any occasion – Christmas, birthday, wedding, $4 per letter, bordered. 580-563-9470. Shock collars for dogs, horses made by DT Systems, will reach up to 1 mile, $400. 918-623-2036. Children’s books from infant to grade school, home school materials available. 918-371-0401 or visit bilisent.com for more information. Discount cologne while furthering the gospel, the alabaster box. Checotah ag.org or 918-490-1978. Free casino bus trips, free buffets, free money to play on. Christine, 405-598-2120, 213-3820. ’98 Basshound 10.2’ harbor boat, live well, padded swivel fishing chairs, fully wired, 6 HP Yamaha outboard, like new. 918-252-7536. LT Private Security and Investigation. Mangum, 580919-2838. Saw-milled lumber of all kinds, red oak, walnut, cedar. Trailer oak floors up to 16 feet. 918-907-1104. Southwest design Franciscan dinnerware, 8 place setting; Howard Miller grandfather clock; 4440 1/16scale precision classic tractor #15077. 580-428-3439. Stanley Home Products, Fuller Brush. Degreasers, germicides, brooms, brushes, mops, kettle cleaners, colognes, lotions, hair brushes, all house cleaners, wood floors, vitamins. 580-497-2249. Mary Kay Cosmetics. No consultant? I have all current MK products ready to mail or deliver. 580-920-2155; email mkpinkok@yahoo.com or vist website marykay.com/asmith12. Reclaimed Douglas fir timbers, 11 8x10, 2 9x12, 1 12x18, up to 23.g long, plus other various sizes. 580-3631740, 363-1600. PFAFF upholstery machine, $1,000. 405-257-2940.

Kelly’s Monuments, Henryetta. Largest selection in county, best prices, quality workmanship, custom designs, check us out. 918-652-8078. ’05 4-wheeler 660 Raptor, after market exhaust, still have stock, runs great, $2,750; ’05 GSX 600 25th anniversary edition, $5,000. 918-650-8078. Many Avon cologne bottles from 1960 - ? Mostly cars and trucks, $5 each. 580-286-0813. American Flyer and Lionel trains, sets and cars of all kinds. 580-564-2270.

MOBILE HOMES, RVS ’02 Bounder 33-ft. MH, 26K miles, Onan gen. 2 a/c, 2 slides, all brand new tires, exc. cond., selling due to health, $55,000. Lawton, 580-353-6401. ’03 Sportsman 27-ft., 2 slides, fifth wheel, great cond., $12,500. 405-884-2409. 28x84 Solitare 4x3, F/P, 2x6 walls, $27,900. Rick, 405517-5000, 301-2454. ’02 Champion mobile home, 16x80, 3/2 w/all appliances, 1-owner, EC, you move, total electric, $19,500. 918693-9889. ’09 MH manufactured by Platinum, 16x80, 3-bed, 2bath, CHA, porch, deck included, lived in 1 year, must be moved, $50,000. 580-626-4766. Stillwater: ’72 14x72 Shelmar mobile home in Park West. 2-bed, 2-bath, close to campus, available Jan. 1, $10,500. 405-756-6708. Fold-down camper, solid wall, A/C, heat, refrigerator, microwave, TV, queen bed, 998 lbs., 90# hitch, $6,695. Tuttle, 405-550-0387.

PETS English Bulldog pups, ready 9-15-09, $898 or $1,200 if you want AKC papers. 918-851-1992. ACA Chihuahua pups, long and short hair, meds current, $200 – $250, family raised. 580-363-1813, 763-2875. AKC Vizsla bird dog pups, read first week of November, parents on premises. Enid, 580-855-2500, 554-1967. Toy/mini Aussies. ASDR, CKC reg., 2-year health guarantee, 200-$450. 580-747-5537 or Chb_aussies@yahoo.com

REAL ESTATE 3 lots at Grand Lake, aprox. 1 mile from water, perked, utilities, paved road, needs septic. 580-369-2244, if no answer leave message. 10-acre ranchette 5 miles to Lake Murray, 1,740 sq.ft. brick home w/2-car garage, 60x60 metal barn/shop,

20x24 insulated metal shop/storage, cellar, greenhouse, garden, more. 580-276-3925. Big or small farms, ranches. View at shanklinrealty.com. ReMax of Green Country, 918-521-4696. Time share – Wyndham vacation ownership, 133,000 points, will sell for 1/2 price of investment. 918-785-3505. A frame home 4 north of Meeker on SH 18, 45 miles to OKC, 3-bed, 2-bath, CHA, 2 acres, completely remodeled, 1,250 sq.ft., total electric. 580-868-2256. ’06 Victorian, fully restored/improved, 2- or 3-bed, 2 _bath, 2,500 sq.ft., half acre in Temple, quaint country town in SW OK, suitable for bed and breakfast or elegant home, $159,000. 580-342-6930. 3-bed, 2-bath, 2-car, 2 living, 2 dining, new carpet, painted, hardwood floors, CHA, dishwasher, large yard in Norman, 1.4 to OU, $162,500. 405-946-8764. 1,800 sq.ft. house, 3-bed, 2-bath, 2 living, 2 dining, wood laminate, tile, carpet, cellar, att. garage, work shop, barn, kennel, utilities for mobile on 5 acres. 580-8647667, 977-4883. Custom tri-level brick on 8 acres in Weatherford w/large, mature oak trees, live running creek, 57x66 insulated/heated metal shop, 20x60 camper shed, water well, underground cellar, extra large master bed, finished basement. 580-772-3116. New lakefront home on 1.5 A. on Pine Bay, AR, hunting/fishing paradise. Covered dock w/lift, 4,000 sq.ft. w/5-bed, 3-bath, 3 living rooms, 1.5 kitchens, oversized 2-car garage, sunset views from 2 covered decks, front veranda faces exclusive neighborhood, $650,000. 479-885-8001. 3-bed, 2-bath on 18.9 A., approx. 1 mile from I-35 west of Wynnewood, metal shop building, will consider partial trade for lake property w/home. 405-207-8165. 9 acres in Tahlequah area, nice building site near Grandview school, $39,000. Owner says make offer. Cochran & Associates, 918-458-5888. 4 lots and house in Stroud in Donaldson Addition, $21,500. 405-386-2431. Home property w/nice home on 10 acres, 1,200 sq.ft. detached garage, 30x30 barn, good pasture, $130,000. Shawnee, 405-703-3110. By owner 2/3-bed, 1-bath on 2.5 A. in Jay, large cellar, enough room for 5 cars, 3 outbuildings, beautiful spot, could go partly furnished, $95,000. 918-253-8402. Approximately 20 A. in Ardmore, zoned lt. industrial, $160,000. 580-223-3662. Walk to downtown from this clean, ready to move in 2-

Country

Classifieds 2501 N. Stiles • Oklahoma City, OK 73105 All information below must be completed.

Each Farm Bureau member family is limited to ONE free classified ad per issue. This form must be used. No call-in ads will be accepted. The length of the ad can not exceed the number of lines on this form. Ads run only one time. Please type or print legibly.

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Zip Deadline for the next issue is December 15, 2009. Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009 • 55

Country

Kitchen

TENDERLOIN WITH PORTOBELLO SAUCE • 7 pounds Certified Angus Beef ® tenderloin roast • 2/3 cup beef broth • 1/4 cup Madeira or port wine • 8 green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces • 2 large Portobello mushrooms, fins removed, halved and sliced • 1 red bell pepper, halved and sliced • 1 tablespoon butter • 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper • 1 teaspoon olive oil Rub tenderloin roast with oil and pepper. Roast uncovered (do not add liquid) at 475ºF for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350ºF and roast an additional 12 minutes (medium-rare). Remove from oven and let stand for 15 to 20 minutes. In a large skillet, sauté mushrooms, onions and peppers in hot butter over medium heat until tender (about 5 minutes). Stir in broth and Madeira and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Slice tenderloin across the grain; drizzle with sauce. Serve. CAJUN PORK ROAST • 2-pound boneless single loin pork roast • 3 tablespoons paprika • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper (cayenne) • 1 tablespoon garlic powder • 2 teaspoons oregano • 2 teaspoons thyme • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/2 teaspoon white pepper, ground • 1/2 teaspoon cumin • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg Combine all seasonings and rub well over all surfaces of roast. Place roast in shallow pan and roast in 350 degree F. oven for about an hour, until internal temperature is 155 to 160 degrees F. Remove from oven, let rest 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.

56 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009

bed house enclosed by a privacy fence; range & dryer plus large storage shed. 405-379-3225. Wichita Mountain Log Homes, authorized dealer for Daniel Boone Log Homes. For all of the information, call 580-695-2195. 1.75 acres w/beautify log/stone home in Jones, over 2,500 sq.ft., 3-bed, 3-bath, storm cellar, sunroom, patios, $174,900. 405-650-8586.

WANTED I BUY BLACKSMITHING TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT. MIKE GEORGE, 1227 4TH ST., ALVA, OK 73717, 580-327-5235. WANTED OLDER VEHICLES, CARS, PICKUPS, VANS, WAGONS, 1900s THRU 1960s, GAS PUMPS, TAGS. 580-658-3739. Wanted older cards, trucks, parts and projects, 1930’s-1970’s. Call Toll Free: 1-877-734-2325. Wanted rusty, forgotten, wrecked VW Bugs, hippie vans, Porsches, Deloreans in your fields, barns. Also buying parts. Trey, 580-246-8142. Want to purchase oil, gas mineral rights, producing/ non-producing. 580-223-0353, 800-687-5882. Want 2 rear tricycle spoke wheels, 7-in. diameter for half-inch axle, grandson repair project. 918-253-4782. Buying old Model A and T vehicles, body parts; also ’55-57 Chevys, parts in any shape. 918-689-7477. Want your old VW, Porsche, Harley Davidson; also any antique motorcycle, scooter, any condition.405-743-2865. Want ’68 Chevelle Malibu station wagon, running or not. 580-623-1269. Want old postcards before ’35, items marked I.T. or O.T.; also old items from Stonewall, Tupelo. 580-3328220. Want old visible gas pumps, porcelain signs, dealer signs, oil lubsters, trans. pumps. 580-639-2776. Want old Salsbury scooter built in ’40s – look in your chicken house, barn, I want to relive my childhood. Will pick up and pay cash. 620-482-4405. Want ’50s Allis Chalmers CA tractor w/wide front end, must be in good shape. Want it for parades, hayride for 501C3 therapeutic horse riding facility. 580-716-3250. Want ’63 Pontiac Lemans or Tempest 2-door coupe or convertible, any condition. 405-343-0791. Cash paid for antique fishing lures, tackle; also Coke machines, signs. Troy, 800-287-3057. Want mallards, quail and muskoves. 918-208-3585. Serious coin collector will pay more than dealers for your coins, will travel to your location. 405-519-0934.

Oklahoma Country • Fall 2009 • 57