Summer 2012 by Matrix Digital Media Inc

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Here are the names of just a few of your Farm Bureau neighbors who are enjoying the beauty & comfort of Alcoa Siding products. Feel free to check with them. Benny Rogers P.O. Box 883 Perry, OK Bob Bolay Rt. 2, Box 119 Perry, OK Carl Windham 10404 N.W. 37th Yukon, OK Don Rainwater 5710 Willow Dr. Norman, OK Neil Roberts 1400 Charles Norman, OK O.B. Puckett 200 Elm Maysville, OK Eddie Huitt P.O. Box 101 Sterling, OK

Forest Masters 317 W. Sheridian Kingfisher, OK Beryle James 9512 W. Britton Yukon, OK Unique Coffeures 5900 N.W. 49th Oklahoma City, OK Linda Sitton P.O. Box 160 Binger, OK Delones Knupik 414 W. Birch Enid, OK Tim Cameron Rt. 1, Box 85 Orlando, OK Jack Steele 119 Thompson Kingfisher, OK

Steve Leck 116 S. Flynn Calumet, OK Jerry Benda 63125 Gregory Rd. El Reno, OK Clark Graham 213 N.W. 1st Moore, OK Carl McKinney P.O. Box 592 Eufaula, OK Greg Biggs 18600 N. Antler Way Deer Creek, OK Daniel Garrett 1909 S. Jensen El Reno, OK Mike Yousey 20502 S.E. 15th Harrah, OK

• No artificial look • No warping in summer

Al Castro 4601 Winners Circle Norman, OK Don Blain 308 E. Jarman Midwest City, OK Kenneth Azlin P.O. Box 921 Seminole, OK Gerald McDaniel 14714 Key Ridge Dr. Newalla, OK Mike Limke 201 Owen Mustang, OK Mike Lee Rt. 4, Box 193 Tuttle, OK Larry Yost 315 N. 3rd Watonga, OK

Starling Miller 912 Kansas Chickasha, OK Herschel Nichols Route 1 Prague, OK Jerry Haynes P.O. Box 208 Cashion, OK Charles Frank 1908 Brook Hollow Ct. Stillwater, OK Lynn Luker 720 W. Jackson Cresent, OK Jim Youngs 1201 Clearview Mustang, OK Tommie Richardson P.O. Box 381 Purcell, OK

Cade Boepple Rt. 1, Box 7 Covington, OK Randy Plant 18701 Garden Ridge Edmond, OK S & J Tire Co. Hwy. 81 El Reno, OK Ron Pinkenton 7521 N.W. 40th Oklahoma City, OK Leslie Bradford Rt. 3, Box 298 Watonga, OK Sharon Graham 2821 Bella Vista Midwest City, OK James Bryant 1755 N. Country Club Newcastle, OK

Check these features

• Won’t rot or peel • Won’t absorb or retain moisture

Keller Rest. 820 N. McAuther Oklahoma City, OK Larry Smith Rt. 2, Box 122 Kingfisher, OK Mickey Brown 1705 Country Club Newcastle, OK Barth Construction Lot 6 Wild Turkey Hollow Stillwater, OK Jeff Palmer 822 S. 6th Kingfisher, OK Starling Miller Rt. 3, Box 129A Perry, OK Mike Nemec Rt. 1, Box 90 Perry, OK

• No exposed nails • Won’t break up in hail

Willia Clay 1845 N.W. 23rd Newcastle, OK Don Jantz Rt. 3 Enid, OK Dawn Faust 9329 Lyric Lane Midwest City, OK Veres Zum Mullen Rt. 4 Okarche, OK Jim Nichols 4737 Crest Pl. Del City, OK Glenda Irick 2601 N.W. 118th Oklahoma City, OK Teressa Parham 128 Chickasaw Yukon, OK

Reese Wilmoth 5400 N.W. 66th Oklahoma City, OK Mark Kelley 3421 N.W. 67th Oklahoma City, OK Richard Boren Rt. 1, Box 151 Geary, OK Dawayne Smith 415 S.W. 16th Newcastle, OK Hanley Hintergardt 9100 Whitehall Ct. Oklahoma City, OK Dan Wedeman 3455 N. Red Rock Rd. Yukon, OK Mike Nichols Route 1 Prague, OK

• Won’t dent like aluminum • Static electricity attraction free.

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Name__________________________________________________________ Address_____________________________City________________________ Telephone ____________________ Best Time To Call:______A.M. ______P.M. If Rural, Give Directions____________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

M. RHODES COMPANY

6408 N. Libby Oklahoma City, OK 73112

Summer 2012

The Magazine Of The Oklahoma Farm Bureau

Inside:

Connecting with the Land, Connecting with Consumers Workinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Women Buy Fresh, Buy Local

From Dirt Roads to Interstates Drive with Farm Bureau It’s summertime in Oklahoma, and time for everything that goes with it: backyard grilling, outdoor fun, and road trips to destinations both close and distant. No matter if that means hitting the gravel or cruising up and down the pavement, Oklahoma Farm Bureau has an auto insurance policy to make sure wherever you roam, you have great coverage backing you up.

OklahOma Farm Bureau Insurance

We’re OK, so you’re okay. To find your local agent, or for more information, visit us online at okfbins.com

Oklahoma Country

Contents

8 Cover Image Luke Fisher works as a caretaker of his family’s farmland near Bristow. (Photograph by Dustin Mielke)

Features

8 – Connecting with the Land, Workin’ Connecting with Consumers Women

by Sam

Knipp

Learn how the Fisher family of Creek County connects with consumers through organic farming.

Meet three leading ladies of Oklahoma agriculture who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty.

16 – Workin’ Women by Gail Banzet Today’s farm and ranch women are breaking the mold of traditional farm family dynamics. Meet three Oklahoma women H who balance work, family and the demands of successful agricultural operations. By Gail Banzet

Photos by Dustin Mielke

er day starts early and ends late with little time in between for personal matters. The laundry is never caught up, the crockpot is always on and daily plans are subject to change, depending on the weather. But for a certain group of women, they wouldn’t want it any other way. This is the life of a woman in agriculture. Whether her days revolve around farm work, a husband, kids or all three, she takes the job in stride and works for the benefit of her entire family. While not all agricultural women were

raised in a rural setting, there’s a certain theory about spunky little farm girls: they grow up to be strong country women. The work ethic and life lessons they learn as farmers’ daughters stick with them over the years, and as adults, they aspire to return to their roots and live on the farm. No two women play the exact same role on a farm or ranch. Some are full-time farm wives who send their husbands off to a town job every morning while they stay back and manage the operation. Others balance the role of farm wife and mom but

also manage to keep up with an extra parttime job. Each operation demands different needs from different people, but there’s no doubt a woman can find her place in agriculture … with or without a man. In the following story, take a moment to meet some of Oklahoma’s pioneer women of agriculture. Whether marketing natural Angus beef, managing an extensive hog operation or cutting wheat in northwest Oklahoma, these women love what they do and are passionate about their contributions to agriculture.

26 – Buy Fresh, Buy Local

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 Karolyn Bolay before the last day of the month Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

at 405-523-2320. 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 also must match the hidden number for you to claim the cash prize.

See a complete list of farmers markets now offering Oklahoma’s finest homegrown products.

Columns

Departments

2 – Presidentially Speaking 4 – Insurance Matters 6 – Country Gardening

28 – YF&R Focus 30 – All Around Oklahoma 46 – Country Kitchen 47 – Country Classifieds Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012 • 1

Presidentially

Speaking By Mike Spradling President Oklahoma Farm Bureau & Affiliated Companies

Summer 2012 Volume 65 No. 3 Oklahoma Country (ISSN 1544-6476)

The Next 100

hat is unique about the year 1919? Well, if you know anything about the history of Farm Bureau you know that was the year the American Farm Bureau was established. A lot has happened since its inception, as we became the largest and most effective general farm organization in the world. As a grassroots-style organization, our membership has driven and guided this body throughout history, making us a truly grassroots organization. I think the most important contribution to the success of the American Farm Bureau Federation is the fact that it is totally member driven, just like the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Federation. Our members have played a direct role in developing the most important function of Farm Bureau, policy development and execution, giving us a reputation as one of the most influential lobbying groups on Capitol Hill. Members past and present have done their part to help us earn this title and now as we approach our Centennial Anniversary in 2019, it time for us to take a long and deep look at ourselves. Yes, I said us. You see, as a member of Oklahoma Farm Bureau, you automatically become a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation. This is your organization and through your involvement you have made us what we are today. We are approaching 100 years of existence. We know what we have been in the past and we know what we are today, but I ask you a very important question: what will the next generation of members expect of Farm Bureau as we begin our journey into the next 100 years?

o guarantee that we provide the next generation of leaders with an organization that meets their needs and expectations, the American Farm Bureau Federation has established the Centennial Development Project. In October 2011, the AFBF board of directors approved this project, a two-year initiative to shape the organization’s future as its centennial approaches in 2019. Throughout 2012, the board will gather input from state Farm Bureau leaders, Young Farmers and Ranchers Committees, Women’s Leadership Committees, state Farm Bureau administrators and staff and AFBF staff. Then in 2013, the board will ask for state feedback 2 • Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012

on a Centennial Roadmap – a five-year plan to implement changes to the organization. Later, the final plan will be adopted to serve as an end result of the Centennial Development Project. I have appointed a committee made up of the State Board of Directors, the State Women’s Committee, the State Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee and two members from each director’s district. The purpose of this committee is to study the needs and changes members expect of AFBF in order to provide a more effective organization for the future. At the same time, the committee is charged with studying the needs and changes of Oklahoma Farm Bureau but on a much shorter timeline. Many of the same needs and changes will reflect both organizations. Many changes have taken place in our society and business world since we had our last strategic plan for Oklahoma Farm Bureau, so why not take advantage of the committee’s work and address both organizations? It is important that we as the leaders of these two groups get involved in order to make the changes and provide guidance. We need to ensure the future needs of our members are met. One of the biggest changes we’ve faced in the last few years is the way we communicate. We must continue to stay on the leading edge of technology in the field of communication. The field of electronic communication is not only what our future leaders want, but it’s what they expect, demand and deserve. We have many areas to examine such as membership classification, delegate count, term limits, board size, programs of service, revenue sources, publications, fees for services, meeting fees and tight budgets, just to mention a few. We have many things we need to discuss as we consider our future needs. 31173 These are your organizations. They work for and with you as you achieve successful endeavors. With your help, we can understand the challenges and needs of these two very important organizations, which play a positive role in our choice of agricultural occupations. I’m challenging you to get involved and help shape these two Farm Bureau entities as we set the course for the next 100 years.

Published four times per year in April, July, October and January by Oklahoma Farm Bureau, 2501 N. Stiles, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3126, sharing. 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 Sam Knipp Vice President of Corporate Communications / Public Relations Dustin Mielke Multi-media Producer / Writer Macey Panach Publications & Online News Coordinator Karolyn Bolay Communications Specialist DIRECT YOUR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES TO: Oklahoma Country Attn: Stan Morgan (803) 744-9024 or email stan@duncangrant.com 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. WEBSITE www.okfarmbureau.org Oklahoma Farm Bureau DIRECTORS Mike Spradling, President Tom Buchanan, Vice President Roland Pederson, Treasurer Charles Sloan, Secretary Alan Jett, Director Rodd Moesel, Director Jimmy Wayne Kinder, Director Larry Boggs, Director Billy Gibson, Director Phyllis Holcomb, Director Monica Wilke, Executive Director

The lifeblood of America. They’re the humble heroes who rise before dawn and battle the elements. They put clothes on our backs and food on our tables. Their genuine values and tireless work ethic are an inspiration to us all. We appreciate all that America’s farmers do and invite you to join us in saying thanks at www.fbfs.com/SayThanksToAFarmer. FB02-OK (3-12)

OK-Tribute(3-12).indd 1

3/12/12 2012 9:56 AM Oklahoma Country • Summer •3

Matters

Insurance

By Richard Newberry Executive Vice President and General Manager Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company

Understanding Your Risk is More Important Than Ever Before

s we all know far too well, dealing with weather is a big part of living in Oklahoma. From spring tornados to winter storms, we all face the possibility of weather impacting us and damaging our homes, vehicles and personal property. The 2011 tornado season included the most tornadoes in a single day and in a single month on record. Nationwide, these storms caused the most tornado and wind damage in U.S. history, totaling $10 billion. Over the past five years, Oklahoma has faced some of the most significant damage in decades from spring storms, to wildfires, to ice and heavy snow as the result of winter weather. Meteorologists and weather experts are reliable sources for short-term forecasting but weather events further into the future are much more difficult to predict. Insurance was originally established centuries ago to help individuals and businesses carry the burden of the unknown. For a fee, insurance companies would cover the cost of a covered loss so the person would not be financially devastated. Insurance offers security and availability to purchase property and autos with financing. The concept of insurance is that the losses of a few are made good by the contributions of many. It is based on the law of large numbers. Insurance of property is based on the principle of indemnity. The idea is to bring the insured to the same financial position as he or she was before the loss occurred. It safeguards the investment in the property. Insurance never was intended to be a maintenance policy. Insurance companies cannot manage their business nor stay in business without responsible underwriting of

4 • Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012

their overall risk. However, over time, many insurance consumers have viewed insurance as more of a maintenance contract and less of a risk management contract. No two insurance consumers have the same exact needs, and the level of risk an individual is willing and capable to take on may vary greatly. You should choose a policy with a combination of coverage, premium and deductibles that you can comfortably afford without creating unnecessary financial hardships. It is very important to work with one of our dependable insurance agents who can help you identify a policy with the right balance of premium and deductible for your specific situation. Understanding your risk tolerance will help you make a sound insurance decision while also ensuring affordable coverage well into the future. A common misunderstanding is that if you choose a low deductible, you can file a claim for smaller losses and pass on more of the cost of the repairs to your insurance company. While it may seem helpful in the short-term to make a claim to cover a smaller loss, it may not be beneficial for you in the long-term. Filing several claims, even small claims in terms of damage and repair costs, can increase your premium or even create the possibility of a loss of coverage.

ver the past five years, Oklahoma has faced the greatest level of underwriting losses in the history of personal lines insurance business in our state. To keep insurance available and affordable, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company encourages individuals and business owners to reevaluate their policies to ensure they are adequately covered and at the same time manage their overall risk efficiently.

There has never been a better time for Oklahoma Farm Bureau members to understand and manage their risk. It’s vital that everyone know their insurance coverage and determine whether or not it’s meeting their needs. It is also very important that policyholders understand their overall risk exposure and how to manage it. Insurance consumers need to evaluate their specific exposures each year to make sure they are covered before a loss. Too often after a loss, people learn they were not adequately covered due to not notifying their agent of material changes that have occurred in the recent months. There are a few things to remember when evaluating your risk: Ensure property values are accurate – Accurate values lead to adequate coverage and can help you avoid gaps in coverage. Although underinsuring your property can seem to be a way to reduce your premium, it may also lead to a contractual coinsurance penalty that can reduce what you actually receive in the way of claim payments after a covered loss. Choose deductibles that correspond with the cost of risk – As a general rule: the higher the deductible, the lower the premium. Raising your deductible may control your claim history by eliminating the reporting of smaller claims. Add coverage for new purchases – Remember to add coverage for new personal property or buildings that you may have added to your homeowner’s exposure or business-related items on business coverage. Always be mindful of increased liability exposures as well.

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Consider installing storm-resistant materials – Materials like wind and hail resistant roofing may lessen your risk of storm damage and will sometimes allow you to obtain a discount on your insurance premium. Bundle your insurance coverage needs – You will usually save money by having your home, autos and other coverage needs with the same insurer. With such frequent catastrophic weather events over the past five years, property insurance in Oklahoma will become more difficult to obtain, considered more of a privilege instead of a right.

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Know your insurance coverage before a loss – You should always ask your agent questions to stay informed about your coverage needs, and you never want to wait until you’ve had a claim to learn that you don’t have adequate coverage in place. Update your coverage every year to assess your insurance needs and discuss any concerns with your local Farm Bureau agent.

klahoma Farm Bureau offers several options to help you manage your risk and meet your insurance needs. We also have the best claims professionals in Oklahoma to help you when you need us the most. Please contact your local Farm Bureau agent for a complete review of your coverage options and to learn about the benefits of Farm Bureau membership.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau members receive special discounts.

Exit 153 & I-35 800.375.4471 10 minutes N of Edmond

www.vanceautogroup.com Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012 • 5

Country

Gardening By George Driever Extension Educator, Horticulture/4-H Youth Development Pottawatomie County OSU Extension Center

Caring for Trees to Prevent Health Decline

early everyone enjoys trees. They can be a focal point in the lawn, add a colorful accent or provide cooling shade. Trees are also living so they require some care to help them survive the stresses caused by urban environments and our extreme weather conditions. You may have noticed that some trees such as oaks, pines and maples are looking a little haggard with yellow ing leaves/needles or dying branches. Part of this is due to the fact that the trees are not living in their preferred environment and so with minimal care they struggle to live. When trees are stressed by environmental conditions or poor nutrition, they can be subject to attacks by certain insects and a few diseases. The decrease in plant vigor from the environment, lack of nutrition and pest attacks is called decline. Many oaks in the eastern and central parts of Oklahoma are struggling with a problem called oak decline. Bur oak, Shumard oak, sawtooth oak, White oak, black jack, Post oak, Pin oak, Water oak, Willow oak, Scarlet oak, Northern Red oak, live oak and Chinkapin oak are all susceptible to oak decline, some species more than others. Oak decline is a combination of attacks from wood boring insects and several fungal diseases on trees that are stressed. The wood borers are primarily beetles. The twolined chestnut borer attacks oaks, beech hornbeam and chestnut that are stressed from the above factors. The larva feed by constructing galleries in the cambial layer (sapwood) on the main trunk or the branches. As the larva feed, they will cut the vascular tissue that moves the water and nutrients. This eventually girdles the branches or trunk resulting in dead wood. The two-lined chestnut borer has one generation per year in the South. The Redheaded Ash Borer and the Banded Ash Borer also attack stressed hardwoods such as ash, oak and hickory, as well as elms and mesquites. These two beetles will overwinter in 6 • Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012

the trunk of infested trees as pupae and emerge in the spring as adults to lay eggs. After the eggs hatch, the larva feed on the sapwood all summer and then larva pupate in the fall. There is one generation per year. A new threat that causes shoot tip death in oaks is kermes scale. This insect lays its eggs in the shoot tips. As the adults siphon the nutrients from the shoot tip, the end of the branch dies. Fungal diseases that attack trees include armillaria root rot and Hypoxylon canker. Armillaria root rot (Armillaria mellea) is a widespread soil borne disease. It is found in heavier soils and attacks hundreds of species of woody plants. Oaks and maples are commonly infected, but many other ornamentals are as well. It attacks plants previously weakened by other causes. Hypoxylon canker also attacks stressed, deciduous trees (they lose their leaves in the fall). The leaves begin to turn yellow and wilt and entire branches may die. The infected branches or trunk exhibit a thinning of the bark. As the bark sloughs off, the stoma is exposed (masses of vegetative fungal hyphae that may look tan, off white or black) from which spores are spread by wind and rain. Trees do not normally have both diseases at the same time. While there is no treatment for either disease, tree death by Hypoxylon canker can be delayed by making sure the tree is fertilized in the spring and midsummer and has adequate water. The best way to prevent oak decline is to provide your oaks with some fertilization and water during establishment and times of severe heat or drought. Preventing borer attacks or other insect infestation can be accomplished with one application a year in the spring with the insecticide Imidacloprid. This product is available at places where you purchase chemicals. You can get the Bayer brand or the generic version with the Ferti-lome or Bonide brands. If your trees do die from oak decline symptoms, it is best to destroy the wood rather

than saving it for firewood. It should be burned, buried or hauled away.

early all pines grown in Oklahoma are susceptible to Dothidea tip blight and Dothistroma needle blight. While both of these fungal diseases can be controlled with a single application of liquid copper, once in April and May of each year, the trees are seldom treated. Other pest problems on pines can include Fusiform rust, the pine tip moth, the pine sawyer beetle (wood borer) and pine wilt disease. Pine wilt is caused by a nematode, which is carried by the pine sawyer beetle. Once the nematodes are in the tree, the tree will be completely dead in 7 to 10 days. A systemic insecticide can be applied to the ground around each tree annually to control insects that feed on the tree, but if a pine sawyer beetle that has nematodes feeds on a tree, the tree could still be lost even if the beetle is killed. Luckily, there are choices other than pines so that homeowners can have an evergreen in the yard, even if it is not a true pine. Some Oklahoma Proven choices are: Bald Cypress, Arizona Cypress, and several species of Juniper. The City of Oklahoma City has published a book of tree choices titled Putting Down Roots, which has several evergreen choices that are not pines. The book also lists many deciduous trees. The evergreen choices include: Atlas Cedar, Deodar Cedar, Cedar of Lebanon, Hollywood Juniper, Eastern red cedar and the Green Giant Arborvitae. The book has some pines as well and describes the attributes, strengths and weaknesses of each tree. Copies of the Oklahoma Proven booklet or Putting Down Roots are available free at most Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Offices. Before purchasing any of the trees listed, the requirements of each tree should be researched by reviewing these books or other sources. Keep in mind that forcing a tree to grow where it is not suited will likely result in a tree that struggles to live and will be a source of frustration for you as well. However, many of the trees in either book can provide you with years of enjoyment while beautifying your yard. Oklahoma State University, U. S. Department of Agriculture, state and local government’s cooperating. The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, or status as a veteran and is an equal opportunity employer.

Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012 • 7

The Fisher family works together to grow crops that connect them directly with consumers. From left to right in the back is Elisa, Debby, Kenneth, Andrew, and Luke; in front are twins Madalyn (left) and Anna. Not pictured is Emily Fisher. 8 â&#x20AC;˘ Oklahoma Country â&#x20AC;˘ Summer 2012

The Fisher family business offers diversity in locally grown food.

In 1904, Henry Will Fisher moved his family from St. Joseph, Mo., to Slick, Okla., because he believed the dark, loamy soils on the hills around Slick would grow abundant food crops. Turns out he was correct. Today, his descendants are thriving as they produce a variety of agricultural commodities that eventually end up on the consumer’s dinner table. Welcome to Fisher Farms! “I enjoy producing something from this land,” said Henry’s great grandson, Kenneth Fisher. “I would feel very disconnected (from the land) if I didn’t go out and pick and eat corn, strawberries, blackberries and whatever is in season.” Fisher Farms is actually a family of businesses all geared toward growing food. They grow wheat, corn, soybeans and hay while also operating a feed mill for livestock; a poultry business, which sells eggs to major Tulsa grocery retailers including Aikin’s and Whole Foods; and a certified organic vegetable business.

Connecting with the

Land Consumers Connecting with

By Sam Knipp Photos by Dustin Mielke

Kenneth and his wife Debby have six children, five of whom are working on the Fisher land today. At 29, son Luke is the eldest and operates the vegetable production business. The other children are involved at various times of the year with the other business enterprises, including the feed mill. Kenneth’s cousins, David and Mark, own the egg business. “We try to grow all the corn that is used in the feed mill,” Kenneth said, “but demand exceeds supply and we often have to buy corn to mix the feed rations our customers want. This is ranch country and there are not a lot of crops grown locally.” In the feed store or at the local farmers market, working with customers is the Fishers’ most enjoyable part of the job. “I enjoy all my customers, Kenneth said. “You become connected with the community, for generations you know the parents and their children.” Connecting with customers is a common refrain at Fisher Farms. When asked why he toils under the hot sun raising vegetables, Luke said, “It’s the people. “The reason I’ve chosen this form of agriculture (market gardener) has to do with the personal interaction you have with consumers,” Luke said. “All farmers grow food, but some farmers have more solitude, they don’t see the people who eat their grain or livestock. As a market gardener, I get to become friends with all the people who eat my produce.”

“I enjoy producing something from this land.”

10 • Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012

Left: Kenneth and Debby operate a feed mill to create livestock feed rations that meet customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs. From the mill to the store, the Fishers focus on the needs of their customers. Below left: Kenneth works on a mower bearing in preparation for mowing hay. With so many components to their agricultural operation, there is a never-ending list of jobs to be tackled. Andrew Fisher mows hay in one of the familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hay fields. The Fishers diversity brings together organic production and traditional farming methods.

“You become connected with the community, for generations you know the parents and their children.”

Top: Luke Fisher clips tomato plants to string running to the frame of his greenhouse. Luke produces a variety of tomatoes using a variety of methods to capture what Luke calls “exquisite tomato flavors.” Purple tomatoes are among the varieties of tomatoes that Luke grows, providing customers with a unique eating experience. Above: Luke uses drip irrigation to conserve water while growing bountiful vegetables on family’s farm near Slick. Right: Elisa Fisher examines a tomato in Luke Fisher’s greenhouse. Working together as a family is a common thread that runs through the entire Fisher farm.

“Know your food, know your farmer – it’s good to be connected to the farmer who grows your food.”

Selling produce directly to consumers through farmers markets and a Community Supported Agriculture program allows Luke and the rest of the Fisher family to meet and visit with the people who eat the vegetables grown on the Fisher farm.

Luke’s primary customers shop at the Brookside Farmers Market in Tulsa and the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program in nearby Bristow. The CSA program is for customers who want to order a week’s supply of produce ahead of time from a local farmer. “They get a week’s worth of whatever vegetables are in season at the time,” Luke said. The young Fisher said the key to his vegetable business is the good, fertile soil. No doubt his elders would smile at that answer. The northeast Oklahoma farmer said he uses “green manure” crops that are tilled into the soil, adding organic matter and enriching the soil. “After a crop is finished in the spring, I’ll plant cowpeas that add nitrogen, shade out the weeds and increase fertility for the next season,” Luke said. “In the fall, I will spread chicken litter from my uncle’s egg business.” “My customers tell me they like buying fresh produce from me,” Luke said. “They can tell the difference between my organic potatoes and the commercial store potatoes.” “(Luke’s) produce is homegrown, it’s fresh, and very tasty,” said Vicki Groom, CSA customer from Bristow. “His corn is the sweetest, I can’t get enough, so we are always glad to come out here and get Fisher produce.” Fishers’ customers also like connecting with the person who grows their food. “I like to know where my food comes from,” said James Brodie, Mannford. “It’s really nice to not just know (Luke) but be friends and really know that he cares what he is doing. I have tremendous faith in the way that Luke grows food.” A new venture for the Fishers this year is joining with three other farm families on Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Harvest Watch blog. Beginning with the first week of the growing season, one of the Fishers, usually Kenneth, writes a short paragraph or “blog” that is posted on a site linked from www.okfarmbureau.org. “I enjoy writing,” Kenneth said. “Sometimes I’ll write one blog and then want to write another on a different subject right away.” Kenneth believes the blog is another way to connect farmers with consumers. “Know your food, know your farmer – it’s good to be connected to the farmer who grows your food,” he said. The dedication and long hours put in by the Fishers borders on the spiritual. Simply said, the Fishers have a businesslike devotion to their work, to agriculture and to God. “We try to be good stewards of God’s creations,” Kenneth said. That’s where the connection grows even stronger as Kenneth encourages consumers to stay informed on exactly what is happening on his farm. “If you’re honest to God, you’re honest to all of God’s people,” Kenneth said. Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012 • 13

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Bringing the Ranch to OSU

The Beef Checkoff ’s FY2012

Collegiate Cattlewomen and Cattlemen hosted a campus event called

consumer advertising program kicks

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off the grilling season with a new

to help OSU non-ag students learn about the ranching, farming and

crop of magazine ads, radio spots

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The Oklahoma Beef Council in partnership with the Oklahoma

the greater beef community. The event was a wonderful success and a great way to engage OSU students in a conversation about the beef

and online advertising, including two

community while demonstrating the beef community’s commitment

new online video commercials which can be viewed at www.BeefItsWhats

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to raising and caring for beef in a sustainable, safe and humane way.

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Beef Stew and even Beef for breakfast. The ads use close-in beauty shots of beef, sure to whet consumers’ appetites and inspire them to choose beef for dinner tonight! Beginning in May 2012, the checkoff ads will run in a wide variety of magazines, including Food Network Magazine, Men’s Health, Sports Illustrated, Redbook and more, and will run throughout the summer months.

The Oklahoma Beef Council was a sponsor of the 30th Anniversary Redbud Classic in April which is the largest 10K race in Oklahoma. As part of the sponsorship, 7000 race participants received a beef protein recipe brochure. The

A Brief Snapshot of Retail Marketing Success

Oklahoma Beef Council also exhibited at the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Expo in April

• For every beef checkoff dollar spent

which attracted more than 28,000 participants. It was the perfect

on cooperative retail efforts in 2011,

opportunity to target “food and health involved” consumers with

partners invested $24.92

healthy beef recipes and information.

• More than 134 million purchase incentives were generated through

FFA Students Get Their MBA

checkoff retail promotions in 2011.

The Oklahoma Beef Council and Oklahoma

These included coupons and rebates,

FFA kicked off a Master’s of Beef Advocacy

and saved consumers more than $136

(MBA) pilot project with five FFA chapters

million.

in FY 2012. The MBA program is an online

• A total of 177.5 million new beef recipes were provided to

training program that equips farmers and

consumers through newspapers, tear pads or on-pack labels thanks

ranchers with the information they need to be

to the Beef Checkoff Program.

advocates for the beef community. As a result

• More than 22,300 beef samples were handed out at 18 American GrillMaster Experience events in 2011, conducted with Sam’s Club. Ten state beef councils joined in the effort, which also featured distribution of 8,000 Confident Cooking with Beef brochures

of the pilot project, 165 Oklahoma FFA youth achieved their MBA. Next year, the plan is to launch the program state-wide with all chapters. To get your MBA, visit www.beef.org/mba.

OklAhOMA BeeF COUNCil 14 • Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012

Be BOlD-and healthy-with BeeF A study by Pennsylvania State University researchers released December 2011 demonstrated that eating lean beef every day can be good for heart health by improving cholesterol levels. That’s what the checkoff-funded study called BOLD (Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet) shows – that adding lean beef to the most recommended hearthealthy diet can lower heart disease risk by reducing levels of total and LDL “bad” cholesterol. The study has received significant, positive attention in the news. Through May 1, 2012 the story received 155 million positive impressions including media reports in Oklahoma. In April, the Oklahoma Beef Council successfully secured one of the lead

engaging Beef lovers Online No gimmicks, no coupons, no fancy promotions…just a genuine love of beef. That’s why more than 175,000 Facebook users have become “fans” of the checkoff ’s Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner Facebook page as of May 1, 2012. Every day, thousands more “like” the page and

researchers on the project, Dr. Michael Roussel to share the peerreviewed study with the Oklahoma Dietetic Association, the state’s largest organization of health nutritional professionals. He will also be speaking in June at the Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians convention.

to be a part of a larger community where their peers and friends are

Turning Up the heat at the Tulsa home and Garden Show

talking about the great food they feed their families.

The Oklahoma Beef Council (OBC) with the valuable assistance of

BQA Field Days

and education at the 2012 Tulsa Home and Garden Show in March

In April and May, the

with more than 35,000 consumers in attendance. During the

Oklahoma Beef Council

event, staff and volunteers distributed beef recipes and nutrition

hosted five “Back to the

information as well as handed out 3,400 beef samples. The Oklahoma

Basics” field days around the

Beef Council also featured a prize giveaway to drive subscribers

come looking for recipes, fun, nutrition information and the chance

the Oklahoma Cattle Women turned up the heat of beef promotion

state where cattlemen received

to the Beef So Simple newsletter, a weekly e-newsletter funded

valuable information and

by the beef checkoff featuring recipes and cooking tips in the

tools to enhance the value of

booth attracting more than 400 new subscribers. The goal of the

their animals through Beef Quality Assurance practices. More than

e-newsletter is to drive weekly engagement with consumers.

150 attended, including 10 veterinarians who received continuing education credits. To learn more, visit www.oklahomabeefquality.com.

Sign-up to receive the monthly Oklahoma Beef Council e-update at www.oklabeef.org.

312 Exchange Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73108-2436 • (405) 840-3777 • OklaBeef.org Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012 • 15

16 • Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012 16 • Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012

Workin’ Women Meet three leading ladies of Oklahoma agriculture who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty.

By Gail Banzet Photos by Dustin Mielke

Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012 • 17

Jerri Parker Cromwell

typical day for rancher Jerri Parker begins before 6 a.m. when she awakes for her first round of morning chores. There are pens to clean and animals to feed before driving into Shawnee for her teaching job at Shawnee High School’s alternative school. “A lot of times there’s no makeup and the hair’s not done but you have to enjoy this lifestyle,” she said. “God put us on this earth to be caretakers and that’s kind of what I feel like I’m doing. I enjoy what I do and I just want to do the best by this place that I can.” Parker’s “place” is a quaint spread of more than 300 acres adjoining with the Canadian River in Seminole County. Although her teaching job is seasonal, she focuses year-round on the ranch and a life much like what she knew as a child right across the road. “We moved here in 1970 and I was active in 4-H meats judging, canning, craft shows – anything 4-H had to offer,” Parker said. “My parents always grew the home garden and we always butchered a beef, so I was constantly around that way of life.” Today, that way of life is still evident around Parker’s ranch with the presence of cattle, chickens and a large garden. Now there’s also a much more organic approach. “Our program is based on the fact we’re with our animals from start to finish,” she said. “We don’t bring anything from outside. Everything is born and raised right here and that way when people ask if I used antibiotics or growth hormones, I can 100 percent say I haven’t.” Parker takes a lot of pride in caring for her animals from the day they are born to the day they are processed and delivered to people’s homes. Using 60 Angus/Charolais cows and registered Angus bulls, she raises quality beef with a special emphasis on marbling and ribeye carcass traits. “When I choose a new bull, I have an ultrasound done of his ribeye,” Parker said. 18 • Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012

“I want to see how much marbling is in that ribeye because that’s what he will throw to his calves.” The female rancher’s attention to quality is one of the reasons Parker’s business is so successful; she doesn’t process her feeder calves until they’re between 700 and 900 pounds and in the meantime, the waiting list for her product continues to grow. While her natural beef is in high demand, the Cromwell rancher also has developed a niche market for pastured poultry. A couple of years ago, she conducted an experiment, raising 50 chickens outside with no antibiotics or special additives in their feed. After the processing plant reported the birds were free of all parasites and worms, Parker decided it was a project worth pursuing. “The next year, I raised 400 birds for commercial sale,” she said. “I used garlic and vinegar in their water because it helps cleanse their systems and they were just really, really healthy.” Parker said she also waits 12 weeks to send her birds to processing, compared to most commercial operations that ship them at five. As a result, the chickens grow at a slower pace to produce a healthier bird with more flavorful meat. “I am marketing to the people who want a healthier diet,” she said. “People are tired of the commercial avenue where everything is, ‘How fast can we grow it?’ and it’s all for the dollar.” According to Parker, most of the advertising she does for both her Angus beef business and the pastured poultry is done through word of mouth. However, she and her youngest son, Calvan, have spent the last couple of years building a small mobile business that also promotes their organic mission. “We’ve got a little country store and people can come out and buy their beef and eggs here on the farm, but people want more than that,” the Oklahoma Food Co-op member said. To better serve so many customers, she

and her son bought a small bus and remodeled the inside to store beef, fresh eggs, pork, jams and jellies, barbeque sauce and many other homegrown products. “It’s all from different farmers who farm just like we do, and they try to be as totally chemical-free as possible,” Parker said. “We take the bus to town, so be looking for the Country Peddler here in central Oklahoma as we establish our routes this summer.” After learning about all of her farm and ranch projects, it’s a mystery as to when the brassy Jerri Parker sleeps. Beyond her teaching job, beef and poultry businesses and natural foods store, there’s always fence to fix, pastures to clear and water lines to dig. “Even on top of the farm, there’s still baseball games, singing lessons and other activities we’re committed to,” she said. “It’s a juggling act, and each day becomes a priority list of what’s got to be done that day.” One of the ways Parker keeps up with such a busy schedule is through the help of her five children: Tabitha Green, Kevan, Stevan, Kailyn and Calvan. Although most of them are older and on their own now, they enjoy supporting their mother and helping when they can. “My kids are a blessing and everyone contributes where their talents are,” she said. “I couldn’t make it all work without the help of my kids.” With a passion for producing top-quality product, generous support from her family and the protection of a trusty .22, Parker is an independent ranching woman living out her dream of a home and a career in agriculture.

Parker stands in the mobile farmers market she and her son, Calvan, built to serve local customers. Known as the Country Peddler, the van offers organic, locally grown foods such as eggs, jams and jellies.

Parker drives a T-post into the ground to straighten some fencing; heavy rains from the spring left some of her fences in need of repair. Luckily, the ranching woman is handy with a post driver and fencing pliers. Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012 • 19

Karen Brewer Okemah

ust a few miles away in Okfuskee County sits a sprawling hog operation owned and operated by the friendly Karen Brewer. On any given day on her operation, you can find her in the barns working alongside her son and hired hands caring for new baby pigs. Overalls, rubber boots and all, this leading lady knows her way around the farm. “I grew up on a traditional family farm down toward Graham, Okla., and we had mostly hay crops, cattle, a few pigs and a few chickens,” she said. “Because of my background, I always wanted to continue that farming tradition. That’s always been my plan.” Brewer attended Northeast Oklahoma A&M College and then earned a degree at Oklahoma State University with intentions of working as an ag education teacher. When she married her husband, Ralph, they embarked on their agricultural journey together first leasing some land to pasture Brewer’s horse. One thing led to another and the young couple decided to run a few cattle on the leased pasture ground. “My husband had never been around livestock like that, so he learned a lot and it was kind of a fun thing – getting married and having a few cows,” Brewer said. “We enjoyed it and I think it made us closer in our marriage. I could teach him a few things and he’s real mechanical, so he always kept everything going.” More than 20 years later, the Brewers still run a hardy herd of 40 Brangus/Angus

cows, but the hog operation has become Karen’s main project. In the early 1990s, she and her husband toured a Tyson facility and decided raising hogs would be a smart business decision for their farm. “My husband was driving back and forth to Tulsa to work at that time as a maintenance mechanic, and we had three small children under the age of five at home,” Brewer said. “With a hog operation, I could still work around animals, make a living and stay at home on the farm to take care of the kids. I had the agricultural background and my husband was comfortable with that.” In the fall of 1993, the Brewers developed their farrow-to-wean operation, initially contracting with Tyson. Today, their 700sow business produces close to 12,000 pigs a year and is exclusive to independent contractors. “The youngest pigs are about three weeks old when we wean them and ship them off to mainly locations in Iowa,” Brewer said. “I have two hired hands and one of my sons that work here. My other son is off at college but he comes back to help in the summer time.” Over the years, the soft-spoken farmer said she and her family have mastered their business model that works well not only on the farm but also at home. Together, the Brewers have three children: Jamie, Michael and Josh. Meanwhile, her two stepchildren, Heather and Matt, were older but also spent a lot of time on the farm. “It was really important that I got to be a stay-at-home mom,” Brewer said. “We adopted our first two children, a girl and a boy, and then we had one of our own. I didn’t want to take him to a babysitter. I wanted him home with me.” Like all farm women, Brewer has

Brewer takes notes on a litter of new baby pigs in her farrowing barn. Day in and day out, she manages her family’s hog farm. that famous “make it work” attitude and enjoyed incorporating family into farming as her children grew. “My kids have always worked here, and my daughter, who is now 26, will tell you she never had trouble getting up and going to work at other jobs when she left home,” Brewer said. “She knows the value of hard work and working together as a family. You have to get along with people – give and take – so I think it’s important that your kids can be with there with you.” Brewer’s unique dynamic with her husband’s career is still a good fit as well. He now works as a maintenance mechanic in Okmulgee and helps out around the farm on the weekends.

Brewer says she’s always had a heart for animals and known that her childhood background in farming would some day lead to a life in agriculture.

“Everything is real mechanical to Ralph and he’s just really good at analyzing and fixing something, whereas I have more of the animal instinct,” she said. “I’m used to working with animals and know what to look for. We’re totally different, but we complement each other.” Always smiling, Brewer’s kind personality and responsible leadership skills are evident on both her farm and throughout the county. She has served on boards for the Oklahoma Pork Congress,

the Oklahoma Pork Council and the Oklahoma Swine Growers Association and has sat on the Okfuskee County Farm Bureau board since 1995. Although she’s comfortable in her primary role at home on the farm, she said others sometimes aren’t because it is commonly considered a man’s job. “It’s been hard to get into that mold that I’m not the guy that’s the farmer, so that’s kind of caused some funny situations sometimes,” she said. “I’m just one of the

guys and I go on about my business, but at the same time, I’m also a momma and that is always going to come first.” While the hog operation helps pay the bills, her children and their activities are top priority, and working from the farm allows Brewer to maintain a happy balance of both family and career. “Many of our meals come from a crockpot,” she said laughing. “It’s more than a 7-to-5 job, but at the same time it’s flexible, and I just love farming.”

Danielle Budy

Alva

arly every summer in the golden wheat fields of northwest Oklahoma, you will find the spunky Danielle Budy working alongside her husband and father-in-law. The young mother of four is no stranger to loud tractor cabs or dusty grain trucks, and as a farmer’s daughter, she’s more than qualified to drive one of the family’s monster combines. “Wheat harvest is, of course, the most hectic time because farmers work all year first cultivating, planting and nurturing a crop, so in the few short days of harvest you can get it all in the bin and then hopefully sell it for a profit,” she said. In addition to their annual wheat crop, Danielle and her husband, Chad, run stocker cattle and 200 cows near Alva. When they’re not building fence, working cattle or pulling baby calves, she also finds time to help in the alfalfa fields: driving the swather, raking, and hauling bales. “Chad likes me to help around the farm because I have been around it so long and you just can’t think of everything to tell someone for every situation that could arise,” Budy said. She and her husband work well together because of her childhood background in farming, but Budy laughs when she recalls how living the farm life was not part of her original plan.

“I actually told my mom growing up ‘Mom, don’t let me marry a farmer … whatever you do,’” she said. “I’d see all of my friends sitting around the pool, lounging around all summer and here I was on a tractor. Well, I guess it’s God’s way of showing you he’s in control because I married a farmer.” As high school sweethearts, Budy and her husband started a life together and graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State University before returning home to farm near Alva. With a degree in math education, Budy’s career opportunities extend beyond her family’s cattle pastures and wheat fields. For the past five years, she has taught math classes at both Northwest Technology Center and Northwestern Oklahoma State University. “I work four five-hour days a week so it’s part-time, and that way I can still be around to help Chad, keep up with all of our kids’ activities and bring in a little extra income,” she said. “Other teachers that I work with finish in May and have their summers off, but when I get off in May, then my job really begins.” According to Budy, the work of a farmer is not a job but a lifestyle that requires support and involvement from the whole family. With three sons, Colton, Tabor and Davin, and a daughter, Sagelyn, she said the farm presents countless opportunities for children to understand agriculture’s real story and appreciate the work that goes into producing the nation’s food supply. “It is different, but we get to do this as a family so we work together and we play together,” she said. “I believe the farm ethics, morals and values that our kids are learning here are irreplaceable. This agricultural lifestyle teaches them the value

Budy steers a combine through the 2012 harvest. As a farmer’s daughter, it was an easy transition to farmer’s wife for Budy. Her husband says he respects her experience and common sense about farming.

of a dollar and what it means to put in a full day’s work.” The Budys are proud of how agriculture has already made a difference in the lives of their young children. At age 13, their oldest son became their main hired hand during last year’s wheat harvest, and Budy said his farming sense is just as strong as other hired hands twice his age. “Everything we’ve taught our kids over the years is starting to pay off,” she said. “But we also want to make sure they have the same opportunities as other kids, so sometimes moms will work in their place so they don’t miss out on much.” Budy admits her role as the woman of a farming operation can get overwhelming, but it’s a responsibility she doesn’t take lightly. She said her main responsibility is always her kids, but there’s also field work, house work and a part-time job to fit into her schedule. “It does get very stressful and hectic with long hours at certain times of the year,” she said. “During wheat harvest, we start most days around 6 a.m. and we don’t quit until about 11 p.m. We do that for about two weeks, so it’s very long and trying, but when I sit back and look at what we’ve gained from it, I realize there’s no other way I’d rather have it.” Budy said she also likes to remind other women in a similar role how they are not

Budy is steady at the wheel of her tractor as her fatherin-law follows in a combine, dumping wheat into a grain cart. Loading and unloading the grain cart is one several duties she has during wheat harvest.

alone, and their contributions to agriculture are priceless. “You are important if you’re a woman in agriculture,” she said. “Just think of what you’re doing: you’re feeding the world. Without agriculture, none of us would exist, so just remember that for all of the stuff you endure, you are appreciated.”

hree different women with one ultimate goal: to care for their families and support agriculture. These pioneers of the prairie are driven to succeed as not only mothers but also farmers and ranchers. As caretakers of

animals and the land, they achieve more in a day than many could ever hope to accomplish in a lifetime. While the family dynamics of every farming operation are a little different, women have proven they have a home in

agriculture. Just like Parker, Brewer and Budy, thousands of leading ladies across the country are committed to their families and the industry, and although their lives aren’t always glamorous, they are forever appreciated.

Parker controls weeds in her pastures with a tractor and mower. Mechanical weed control is an integral part of her pasture management.

Brewer checks a baby pig to ensure it is healthy. Providing care for all of her animals is a top priority.

Budy looks over a sea of wheat in western Oklahoma. She works long hours to make sure the work is completed during wheat harvest.

24 24 •• Oklahoma Oklahoma Country Country •• Summer Summer 2012 2011

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FRESH LOCAL buy buy It’s summer and that means farmers markets are in full swing. Don’t miss out on the best homegrown products Oklahoma has to offer now available at the following farmers markets. Ada Farmers Market 12th and Townsend, Ada 74820 Wed & Sat: 6 am - 2 pm, April - Nov.

Chickasha Farmers Market SW Corner of 7th & Chickasha Ave, Chickasha 73018 Tues & Sat: 7 am - 12 pm, May - Oct.

Altus Farmers Market Altus Plaza Shopping Center, Altus 73521 Tues: 5 pm - 8:30 pm Fri: 4 pm - 8:30 pm, May - Oct.

Eastern Oklahoma County Farmers Market Choctaw Creek Park, 2001 N Harper, Choctaw 73020 Sat: 8 am - 12 pm, June - Oct. www.choctawfestival.org/Farmersmarket.html

Caddo County Farmers Market 110 West Central (intersection of Central and 2nd Street), Anadarko 73005 Tues & Fri: 8 am - 1 pm, June - Sept. oces.okstate.edu/caddo/caddo-county-farmers-market

Claremore Farmers Market 400 Veterans Parkway (ExpoCenter Parking), Claremore 74017 Wed & Sat: 7 am - Sellout, May - Oct.

Antlers Farmers Market Association 704 W Main Street , Antlers 74523 Wed & Sat: 8 am - 12 pm, April - Oct.

Cleveland Farmers Market Broadway and Pawnee, Cleveland 74020 Sat: 8 am - 11 am, June - Oct.

Market Place on Broadway 106 E Broadway, Ardmore 73401 Wed & Sat: 7:30 am - 12:00 pm, April - Dec.

Downtown Cushing Farmers Market 104 W Broadway North West corner of Cleveland and Broadway, Cushing 74023 Thurs: 3 pm - 6 pm, June - Sept.

Bartlesville Farmers Market Frank Phillips Blvd & Keeler, Bartlesville 74006 Sat: 8 am - 11:30 am, May - Oct. www.bartlesvillefarmersmarket.com Blackwell Farmers Market Blackwell Fairgrounds 800 S. Main St., Blackwell 74631 Sat: 7:30 am - 11:30 am, July - Oct. Blanchard Farmers Market 215 West Veterans Memorial Hwy at the Burrito Grill, Blanchard 73010 Sat: 7:30 am - 11:30 am, May-Sept. Bristow Area Farmers Market Hwy 16 & Main, Bristow 74010 Sat: 8 am - 12 pm, May - November www.bristowchamber.com/page/8590_2

Edmond Farmers Market 2nd & Broadway, Edmond 73003 Sat: 8 am - 1 pm, Mid May & Oct. Wed & Sat: 8 am - 1 pm, June - August 16th El Reno Farmers Market Downtown Ross Feed & Seed. 100 S Choctaw, El Reno 73036 Wed & Sat: 8 am - 12 pm, June - Sept. Enid Farmers Market Owen K. Garriott & Grand (Train Station), Enid 73703 Sat: 8 am - 11 am, May - Oct. Eufaula Farmers Market 301 S First Street (Public Libary), Eufaula 74432 Sat: 8 am - 12 pm, May - Sept.

Broken Arrow Farmers Market 418 S Main St., Broken Arrow 74012 Sat: 8 am - 12 pm, April 14th - Oct. 15th www.brokenarrowok.gov/Index.aspx?page=796

Guthrie Farmers Market 1st Between Oklahoma & Harrison, Guthrie 73044 Sat: 8 am - 12 pm, June - Sept. www.guthrieok.com/farmersmarket.html

Main Street Marketplace Armory Building 2nd and Kansas, Cherokee 73728 Thurs: 4 pm - 7 pm, June - Oct.

Guymon Farmers Market Front of Courthouse Main, Guymon 73942 Sat: 8 am - 12 pm, July - Sept. www.mainstreetguymon.com/

Chester Farmers Market Chester Park, Chester 73838 Every Other Sat: 8 am - 12 pm, May - Aug.

26 • Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012

Hobart Farmers Market Kiowa County Courthouse Square, Hobart 73651 Wed & Sat: 8 am - 12 pm, June - Sept.

Market listings courtesy of www.okgrown.com

Lawton Farmers Market Comanche Co Fairgrounds, Lawton 73501 Wed & Sat: 7:30 am - 12 pm, April - Oct. www.swokgrowers.org/ Main Street Farmers Market Greer County Courthouse, Mangum 73554 Wed: 4 pm - 6 pm; Sat: 9 am - 12 pm, June - Sept. www.mangummainstreet.com/index.html Pittsburg County Farmers Market Main & Choctaw, McAlester 74501 Tues, Thurs & Sat: 9 am - 12 pm, May - Nov. Mid-Del Farmers Market 10721 East Reno 1/2 mile East of Post Rd., Midwest City 73110 Sat: 9 am - 1 pm, May - Oct. www.mdfma.org Minco Farmers Market One Block West of HWY 81 and Main Street at Legion Hut Memorial Park, Minco 73059 Thurs: 5 pm - 8 pm, May 17 - Aug. Moore Farmers Market Downtown Moore 301 S Howard, Moore 73160 Thurs: 4 pm - 7:30 pm; Sat: 8 am - 12 pm, May - Sept. 1 www.cityofmoore.com/Community/Farmers_market Muskogee Farmers Market 5th & Okmulgee, Muskogee 74401 Wed, Sat: 8 am - 12 pm, April 21 - Oct. www.muskogeefarmersmarket.com/ Mustang Kiwanis Farmers Market 470 W Hwy 152, Mustang 73064 Sat: 8 am - 11 am, June - August www.mustangcommunitygarden.org/ Newcastle Downtown Farmers Market NW 10th &Main, Newcastle 73065 Tues: 3 pm - 7 pm Sat: 8 am -12 pm May - Sept. www.newcastleok.org/FarmersMarket.asp Newkirk Area Farmers Market Main Street Courthouse Parking Lot, Newkirk 74647 Fri: 4:30 pm - 6 pm, May - Oct. Noble Farmers Market 304 S Main Hwy 77, Noble 73068 Sat: 8 am - 1 pm, May - Oct.

Norman Farmers Market Cleveland County Fairgrounds, 615 E Robinson, Norman 73107 Sat & Wed: 8 am - 12 pm, April - Oct. www.clevelandcountyfair.org/farmmarket.html Nowata County Farmers Market Nowata County Fairgrounds, Nowata 74048 Sat: 8 am - 12 pm, May - Oct. Wed: 4 pm - 6 pm, June - July www.nowatacountyfarmersmarket.blogspot.com/ OSU/OKC Wednesday Farmers Market Horticulture Pavilion, 400 N. Portland Ave, Oklahoma City 73107 Wed: 11:30 am - 4 pm, May 4 - Sept. www.osuokc.edu/farmersmarket OSU/OKC Outdoor Summer/Indoor Winter Farmers Market 400 N Portland (under the Horticulture pavilion), Oklahoma City 73107 Summer: Sat 8 am - 1 pm, mid-April - mid-Oct. Winter: Sat 10 am -1 pm. mid-Oct. – mid-April www.osuokc.edu/farmersmarket OSDH Wellness Farmers Market 1000 NE 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73117 Thur: 11 am – 1 pm, May - Sept. Mercy Market Mercy Health Center 4300 W Memorial Road, Oklahoma City 73120 Mon: 7 am - 11 am, June - Aug. Okmulgee Farmers Market 6th & Morton, Okmulgee 74447 Tues & Fri: 8 am - 1 pm, May - Oct. www.okmulgeeonline.com/mainstreet/farmer_s_ market.html Owasso Farmers Market 8300 N Owasso Expressway (At the YMCA), Owasso 74055 Wed & Sat: 8 am - 12 pm, May - Oct. www.owassofarmersmarket.com Ponca City Farmers Market 14th St. and Highland Pioneer Woman Museum, Ponca City 74653 Tues: 4 pm - 6 pm, Sat: 8 am - 10:30 am, May - Sept. poncacityfarmersmarket.com Mayes County Farmers Market One Court Place (Courthouse lawn), Pryor 74316 Sat: 8 am -11 am, May - Oct.

Sallisaw Farmers Market Cherokee & Elm St. West of Library, Sallisaw 74955 Wed and Sat: 8 am - 12 pm, April - Oct. Sayre Main Street Farmers Market 715 N 4th - at the Old Sonic, Sayre 73662 Sat: 8 am - 12 pm, June-Oct. Seminole County Farmers Market 910 W Wrangler Blvd, Seminole 74884 Tues, Sat: 8 am - 12 pm, June-Oct. Pottawatonie County Farmers Coop Market Hwy 177 & Hardesty Road, Shawnee 74855 Wed & Sat: 8 am - 2 pm, mid April - Oct. www.pottcomarket.com/ Osage Hills Farmers Market 202 E Rogers Blvd, Skiatook 74070 Sat: 8 am - 12 pm, June - Sept. www.osagehillsfarmersmarket.com/ Stillwater Farmers Market Summer: 309 N Main Street, Winter 1118: West Hall of Fame Ave (the offices of Northern Oklahoma College), Stillwater 74074 Summer: Wed & Sat: 8 am - 1 pm, April - Oct. Winter: Sat: 10 am - 1 pm, Nov. - March www.stillwaterfarmersmarket.com OSU Stillwater Farmers Market Student Union Plaza, Stillwater 74078 Thu: 9 am - 1 pm, June 28th, July 26th August 23rd Sept. 13th & 27th Oct. 11th dining.okstate.edu Stilwell Farmers Market 5 N 6th (Stilwell Library), Stilwell 74960 Wed & Sat: 8 am - 12 pm. April - Oct. Tahlequah Farmers Market Muskogee Ave. between Morgan & Spring Streets Norris Park, Tahlequah 74464 Tues: 4 pm - 6 pm Sat: 8 am - 12 pm May 7 - Oct. www.tahlequahfarmersmarket.com/ Talihina Farmers Market 400 Second St , Talihina 74571 Wed & Sat: 8 am - 1 pm, April - Oct. talihinacc.com/food-stores/talihina-farmers-market Johnston County Farmers Market 8th & 9th and 208 North Kemp, Tishomingo 73460 Tues, Thurs, Fri & Sat: 7:30 am - 2 pm. May - Oct.

Market listings courtesy of www.okgrown.com

Downtown Tulsa Farmers Market 3rd & Boston at William's Green, Tulsa 74103 Tues: 10:30 am - 2 pm, year-round Jan. and Feb., dependent on weather Find us on Facebook! Pearl Farmers Market 610 S Peoria, Tulsa 74103 Thurs: 4 pm - 7 pm, mid April - end Aug. www.pearlfarmersmarket.org Cherry Street Farmers Market 15th between Quaker & Rockford, Tulsa 74120 Sat: 7 am - 11 am, April - Oct. www.cherrystreetfarmersmarket.com North Tulsa Farmers Market at TCC TCC NE Campus, 3727 East Apache, Tulsa 74130 Tues: 9 am - 1 pm, June - Oct. Saint Francis Farmers Market 6161 S Yale, Tulsa 74136 Thurs: 7 am - 3 pm, May - Oct. Brookside Farmers Market 41st & Peoria, Tulsa 74159 Wed: 8 am - 12 pm, April - Oct. www.cherrystreetfarmersmarket.com/ Tuttle Farmers Market 3rd and Main Street, Tuttle 73089 Sat: 7:30 am - 11 am, May - Sept. www.tuttlefarmersmarket.com/blog/ Valliant Farmers Market 912 West Wilson, Valliant 74764 Mon - Sat: 9 am - 5 pm, June-Aug. Weatherford Farmers Market Means Park Kee & Indiana 6 blocks North of Main, Weatherford 73096 Tues: 4 pm - 7 pm; Sat: 8 am - 12 pm, May - Oct. West Siloam Farmers Market Hwy 412 United Methodist Bethel Church, West Siloam Springs 74338 Fri: 8 am - 1 pm, April-Oct. Latimer County Farmers Market 302 W Main, Wilburton 74578 Wed & Fri: 9 am - 1 pm, June - Oct. Woodward Main Street Farmers Market 9th and Texas, Woodward 73801 Tues & Thurs: 2:30 pm - 6 pm; Sat: 7:30 am 12:00 pm, March - Dec. Oklahoma Country Country •• Summer Summer 2012 2012 •• 27 27 Oklahoma

yf&rfocus

Young farmers and ranchers expand their agricultural perspective during the annual YF&R conference.

More than 40 members of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers organization attended the annual YF&R State Leadership Conference in Broken Bow, April 12-14. Over the course of the three-day event, YF&R members had an opportunity to interact with their peers from across the state and learn about the leading agricultural commodities of southeast Oklahoma. After registration and dinner in Broken Bow on Thursday night, members spent the first full day of the conference touring both the local Tyson chicken processing plant and hatchery. Conference participants learned how chicken farms contribute to the area’s economy while tak-

ing an inside look at how chickens are hatched, grown and harvested for Tyson. Thursday afternoon’s agenda included lunch and a tour of Brinkley’s Auctions in Idabel along with a farm visit to producer Brent Bolen’s chicken operation. YF&R members finished out the evening with dinner at Kiamichi Technology Center. On Saturday, April 14, members visited the Oklahoma State University Forest Resources Center near Idabel where forestry officials answered questions on southeast Oklahoma’s logging industry. YF&R members toured the forestry center’s facilities and had lunch before returning to the Beaver’s Bend Lakeview Lodge for a policy update. OFB Director of Public Policy Kinsey Money explained the status of priority legislation at the state capitol and fielded questions on other pending bills. Later that evening, OFB President Mike Spradling and OFB Executive Director Monica Wilke spoke to the YF&R conference attendants about the benefits of Farm Bureau recruitment and membership. The evening’s entertainment included dinner and a tour and wine tasting at Girls Gone Wine in Broken Bow. YF&R members consider the annual leadership conference a fun opportunity to not only learn more about agriculture but also strengthen friendships. For first-time conference participants such as Noble county couple Justin and Jessica Dvorak, Justin said they enjoyed the opportunity to network with their agricultural peers.

Oklahoma State University Forest Resources Center

Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference participants had the opportunity to tour the Oklahoma State University Forest Resources Center in Idabel where they

OSU Forestry

learned how forestry is one of southeast Oklahoma’s leading industries.

Robert

Heinemann,

senior

superintendent of the OSU Forest Resources Center, discussed the different forestry studies officials are currently working on at the location. The center offers users a conference/ classroom, laboratory, a GPS/GIS work station, a research greenhouse and two fabrication shops.

28 • Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012

Poultry Production Brent Bolen hosted the group at his Idabel chicken farm where members learned about Oklahoma’s poultry industry.

Brinkley's Auctions Larry Brinkley of Brinkley’s Auctions gives conference participants a tour of his farm equipment auction service in Idabel. Brinkley has been in business for 38 years with each sale offering hundreds of tractors and industrial machinery. “I don’t think you’re ever too busy to allocate time to the things you think are important and for me, it’s important to communicate with other young people who share my interests,” Justin said. “I realized at a young age that being involved in organizations like Farm Bureau helps our agriculture industry and I wanted to go ahead and make a start in YF&R.” Other YF&R members said the conference was a success because of the informative tours that specifically featured the southeast region. “I’m from the southwest area, so we don’t have all of the chicken farms and logging operations seen around southeast Oklahoma,” said YF&R State Committee member Ashley Parks, Cotton County. “Oklahoma is so diverse, and the conference is a chance to learn about agriculture and how it works in other parts of the state. To see a complete photo gallery from the 2012 YF&R State Leadership Conference, visit www.okfarmbureau.org and select the “galleries” tab under the News button.

OFB’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Program is open to both men and women, ages 18 to 35, who hold a membership in his or her county Farm Bureau. For more information about YF&R, call coordinator Holly Carroll at (405) 523-2406.

Girls Gone Wine YF&R state committee member Marty Williams corks a bottle of wine at the Girls Gone Wine winery and shop in Broken Bow. In addition to shopping, a winery tour and wine tasting, conference Oklahoma • Summer • 29 participants enjoyed packaging their Country own bottle of 2012 wine.

All Around

Oklahoma

By Chris Kidd, OFB Director of State and National Affairs

OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU 2012 LEGISLATIVE WRAP-UP

klahoma Farm Bureau is grateful for members who took an active role in the recent legislative session and helped OFB pass its priority legislation. With the help of our members, Oklahoma Farm Bureau passed multiple pieces of legislation to improve the law for agricultural producers and rural Oklahomans, despite a session clouded by budget concerns.

OFB Priority Legislation Signed into Law 1. SB 1665: Creates Energy Litigation Reform Act Authors: Sen. Rob Johnson, Rep. Fred Jordan Status: Signed by the Governor 5- 8-12 Bill: SB 1665 provides statutory protection for surface owners who have seismic operations on their property by providing them with a reasonable remedy to address damages sustained from seismic operations. 2. HB 1562: Creating the Landowner Bill of Rights Authors: Rep. Fred Jordan, Sen. Greg Treat and Sen. Bryce Marlatt Status: Signed by the Governor 4-30-12 Bill: Creates a Landowner’s Bill of Rights for landowners facing eminent domain proceedings. HB 1562 protects the rights of landowners facing eminent domain proceedings by instructing the attorney general to prepare a Landowner’s Bill of Rights. Eminent domain proceedings are usually commenced by entities having a legal team well versed in the eminent domain process. However, landowners are often unfamiliar with the legal technicalities involved in eminent domain proceedings. By providing a landowner with a Bill of Rights prepared by a neutral party (the attorney general) their rights under the law will be detailed in language that is easy to understand. This will enable a landowner to make an informed decision on how to proceed and whether or not legal counsel should be retained. 3. HB 1952: Limiting the Authority of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission Authors: Rep. Skye McNiel and Sen. Gary Stanislawski Status: Signed by the Governor 5-16-12 Bill: Sets limitations on the authority of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to weigh vehicles at temporary scales.

30 • Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012

4. HB 2994: Reforming Street Improvement Districts Authors: Rep. Tom Newell and Sen. Dan Newberry Status: Signed by the Governor 5-1-12 Bill: Currently, municipalities can create a street improvement district without getting the consent of all landowners who will be required to pay for the improvement. Street improvement districts are paid for by assessments on adjacent landowners. HB 2994 will require petitioners or the municipality to seek written consent of the owners of more than half of the land to be included in the district and assessment. 5. HB 2573: Increases fines for poaching Authors: Rep. Pat Ownbey and Sen. Frank Simpson Status: Signed by the Governor 5-8-12 Bill: Increases fines for poaching. 6. Authors: Status: Bill:

HB 2654: reasonably prudent operator Rep. Fred Jordan and Sen. Rob Johnson Signed by Governor 5-8-12 Clarifies that an operator is bound as a reasonably prudent operator and must operate the well on behalf of all owners in the well and not as a fiduciary or quasi fiduciary.

7. HB 2188, HB 2189: Castor Beans Authors: Rep. Dale DeWitt and Sen. Mike Schulz Status: Signed by the Governor 4-2-12 Bill: Prohibits the commercial production or transportation of castor beans.

By Brent Howard, LL.M.

New ad valorem tax exemption helps livestock owners

OFB Supported Legislation Signed into Law 1. HB 3110: Personal Property Tax on Livestock Authors: Rep. Earl Sears and Sen. Eddie Fields Status: Signed by the Governor 5-11-12 Bill: The Oklahoma Constitution provides for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of household goods and livestock employed in the support of a family. Currently, only livestock owned in the rancher’s individual name or as a sole proprietor is considered “in support of the family” and is exempt from ad valorem taxation. Livestock owned by a family partnership or limited liability company is not considered “in support of the family” and is therefore subject to ad valorem taxation.

2. HB 2249: Ensuring that structurally deficient bridges and county roads across Oklahoma are repaired. Authors: Rep. T.W. Shannon and Sen. Bryce Marlatt Status: Signed by the Governor 6-4-12 Bill: HB 2249 seeks to repair deficient infrastructure, such as bridges and county roads, across Oklahoma. Over the next three years, five percent of the collection tax from the General Revenue Fund to the County Improvements for Roads and Bridges (CIRB) Fund will go toward making these i nfrastructure improvements. 3. SJR 52: Eliminating the Intangible Personal Property Tax Authors: Sen. Mike Mazzei and Rep. David Dank Status: Passed both the House and Senate and will be sent to a vote of the people Bill: Before 1969, Oklahoma collected taxes on intangible personal property. In August 27, 1968, voters adopted State Question 460. In 1968, voters adopted State Question 460 to exempt certain intangible property from ad valorem or other tax. In 2009, the Oklahoma Supreme Court found the exemption of taxes on intangible personal property only applied to those items specifically listed in the Constitution, not all intangible personal property. SJR 52 will fix the problem caused by this ruling. Intangible property includes items such as trademarks, copyrights, membership and client lists, patents, royalties, and goodwill.

he Oklahoma legislature took a great step forward this past session to offer more liability planning flexibility for Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers. With the passage of HB 3110, the State of Oklahoma now permits ad valorem tax exemption for livestock owned by closely held entities, but only if the entities are owned by members of the same family. First, a little background: The Oklahoma State Constitution provides for the exemption from ad valorem taxation of household goods and livestock employed in the support of a family. Okla. Const. Art. X, Sec. 6(b). A previous Attorney General issued an opinion on this provision that stated “in support of a family” was limited to farmers and/or ranchers that owned the livestock in their individual name or as sole proprietorships. If livestock were owned through a limited liability company, a family partnership or a corporation, the livestock should have been subject to the county’s ad valorem taxes. The conflict that arises here is that all of the forms of ownership that allowed for exemption from property taxes would subject the farmer or rancher to unlimited liability in the event a lawsuit arose. For example, if a fence went down and cattle were out at night and caused a significant automobile accident, the rancher and his insurance would have to pay all judgments that arose from that accident; even to the point of having to sell land, if the judgment far exceeded liability coverage. Under the previous Attorney General ruling, there was no way to limit the liability to just the cattle unless you wanted to pay ad valorem taxes on all of the cattle. The new law, which can be found at Title 68 Okla. Stat. §2807.1, approves the use of family limited liability entities, trusts, and estates. The law interprets the clause (in the state Constitution) “in support of the family” to include any entity where a family unit, Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012 • 31

consisting of common descendents and surviving spouses, (e.g. father/son, siblings, cousins, or widows) to be exempt from ad valorem taxation on livestock if no one outside of the family owns interests. The new law would allow a rancher to separate points of liability, meaning he could own his land in one entity and his cattle in a different entity,

without increasing his property tax burden. Using the same scenario of cattle out at night, as above, with proper planning the rancher might still lose his investment in his cattle, but his land would not have to be sold to cover a judgment over his liability coverage. The new law goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2013, and also would apply to personal property taxes.

Bottom: More than 50 state Farm Bureau leaders gather May 9 to discuss the future of both Oklahoma Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation. Below: Alfalfa County Farm Bureau President Ryan Pjesky records ideas during the initial meeting of the AFBF Centennial Development Project.

— — — About Brent Howard — — — Brent S. Howard is a member of the Jackson County Farm Bureau and the Young Farmers and Ranchers. Mr. Howard operates a firm in Altus and focuses his practice in the areas of tax, estate and business planning. After law school, Mr. Howard received a Legal Masters (LL.M.) in Taxation from New York University and is one of only a handful of attorneys that uses this degree to help farmers and ranchers. Mr. Howard also farms with his family in the Friendship area in southwestern Oklahoma. If you would like more information on liability, tax, estate or business planning, you can email him at swokestateplanner@gmail.com or call (580) 318-8829.

Crawley is new district 5 director

ittsburg County rancher Gary Crawley has been selected to serve on the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Board of Directors representing District 5. Crawley replaces Larry Boggs, Wilburton, who resigned to run for the state senate. Crawley operates a commercial cow/calf herd with stocker Gary Crawley of Pittsburg cattle in partnership with his son, Gary Gene, County Farm Bureau is OFB’s new District 5 near Savanna. Director. He has been actively involved in Farm Bureau for many years, serving the last 15 years on the Pittsburg County Farm Bureau board of directors. Crawley follows in the footsteps of his father, Junior, who served 35 years on the same Pittsburg County board. “Farm Bureau is a good organization that is focused on improving the quality of life in rural Oklahoma,” Crawley said. The Savanna rancher recently retired from a long and distinguished career with the USDA Farm Service Agency, working primarily in the farm commodity and loan program areas. Crawley earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education from Oklahoma State University. He and his wife, Wilma, have two children and two grandchildren.

32 • Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012

Farm Bureau leaders focus on the future

select committee of 55 Oklahoma Farm Bureau leaders has been chosen to study the future of agriculture and Farm Bureau as part of the American Farm Bureau Centennial Development Project. Among the project’s priorities are the mission and structure of Farm Bureau, the demographics of Farm Bureau members, policy development, member benefits, communications, technology, political activities and leadership development. “This is a strategic planning process for the county, state and American Farm Bureau,” said Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau President. “Meeting the challenges to establish a farm organization for the future requires visionary leadership at all levels. History illustrates that we’ve done this successfully throughout our evolution and we can do it again.” One particular area Spradling wants to address is the aging demographics of farmers and ranchers.

“Within the next two decades, we are going to need 100,000 new farmers and ranchers across this country,” Spradling said. “We need these producers to be industry leaders, so we are looking at developing more ways to surface these producers and get them involved.” Committee member Lawrence Sawatzky, Clinton, OK, said he wants more education and information for the public to understand agricultural production. “We spend so much time as farmers growing food that we forget we need to be doing other things to help the public understand what’s happening on the farm,” Sawatzky said. The committee held their first meeting in Oklahoma City, May 9. Committee members were divided into smaller working groups for each of the nine OFB districts and will meet several more times in the next two years before completing the project in 2014. The centennial project will then be implemented on a five-year schedule leading up to the 100th anniversary of American Farm Bureau in 2019.

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1 Offer available through 4/1/14. Available on all 2011 and 2012 Chevrolet vehicles (excluding

Volt). This offer is not available with some other offers, including private offers. Only customers who have been active members of an eligible Farm Bureau for a minimum of 60 days will be eligible to receive a certificate. Customers can obtain certificates at www.fbverify.com/gm. Farm Bureau and the FB logo are registered service marks of the American Farm Bureau Federation and are herein used under license by General Motors.

Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012 • 33

Wichert receives Ag Advocate award

L Teens learn ATV safety at annual OFB camp

total of 26 teenagers were given the opportunity to learn about proper All Terrain Vehicle safety at the annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau Safety Seminar, June 12-14, in Stroud. Officials with the OFB Safety Services department said 2012 was the first year for the camp to include a session on ATV training. Certified instructors covered lessons on riding gear, pre-ride inspections, proper use of the machine and overall ATV safety. “ATVs have become a very common tool on farms and a lot of kids use them in gathering cattle, hauling trailers and other farm tasks,” said OFB safety specialist David Turner. “We’re introducing this program because we want kids to be safer in life and also give them a good understanding about how to use this kind of equipment.” After completing the course, the students received an ATV safety certificate. Other annual activities at the three-day seminar included a rollover simulator demonstration from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Council, a team building ropes course and also new this year, gun safety and shooting sports training from the Oklahoma Wildlife Department. 34 • Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012

Top: Safety seminar participants gear up for an afternoon of ATV training at Stroud’s Tatanka Ranch, June 12.

ong-time Major County Farm Bureau member Clara Wichert recently received the National Ag In The Classroom Ag Advocate award at the National AITC Conference in Loveland, Colo., June 19-22. The national award recognizes volunteers for their efforts to promote agricultural literacy and use creative strategies to teach students about the importance of agriculture. Wichert developed an ag literacy program in the Fairview school district more than 20 years ago that is still in rotation today. Every month, the farmer visits her local elementary school to teach a project from Oklahoma’s Ag in the Classroom program. Wichert’s lessons focus on subjects including science, math and physical education while also incorporating important facts about agricultural commodities and rural safety issues. Her AITC involvement dates back to 1981 when the program’s first organizational meeting was held. The program is sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry in partnership with the State Department of Education and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. Wichert is a charter member of the AITC advisory board and continues to serve on the board today. Wichert received an all-expense-paid trip to the National AITC Conference where she was honored with a $500 stipend and the Ag Advocate award.

Above: A safety seminar participant practices making turns on the ATV course.

“So many kids work on the farm, so we want to make their lives better by teaching them the different safety aspects of rural life and making sure they’re aware of what can happen,” Turner said. The OFB safety seminar is open to teenagers between 14 and 17 years of age. For more information, contact any of Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s 77 county offices.

Fairview farmer Clara Wichert recently received the National Ag in the Classroom Ag Advocate award for her efforts to teach ag literacy to children.

AgFund Meetings

District Oklahoma Farm Bureau members met in May to select state legislative candidates for the OK AgFund. OFB Director of Regulatory Affairs Marla Peek explains the candidate options to district 4 members in Ardmore, May 11.

After a week of district meetings, representatives from each of OFB’s nine districts met in Oklahoma City, May 14, to make final selections on OK AgFund candidates.

Where Have The Quail Gone? OKLAHOMA

DEPARTM ENT OF W ILD LIFE CONSERVATION

The Wildlife Department has started new research projects to look at the quail decline.

To find out more, sign up for the Upland Update at wildlifedepartment.com Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012 • 35

Farm Bureau features four families in farmers’ blog

klahoma Farm Bureau launched a farmers’ blog website on the first day of spring, March 20, to track the journey of four Oklahoma farming families throughout the growing season. The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Harvest Watch blog will feature regular updates from the farmers as they experience the everyday joys and disappointments of planting and harvesting a crop. Updates will continue through the fall and conclude with harvest. The four farm families each represent a different region of Oklahoma and include Zac and Amy Harris, Hobart; Brandon and Carrie

Webb, Canton; Kenneth and Debby Fisher, Bristow; and Greg and Mary Leonard, Afton. “We encourage teachers and their students to follow the regular updates on the website as a way to learn more about our modern agriculture production,” said Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. In addition to school children, the news media and general public also are invited to join the farm families on their journey throughout the 2012 growing season. To read the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Harvest Watch blog, see a link from the OFB website at www. okfarmbureau.org.

Golf classic raises $11,000 for legal foundation

he Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers state committee raised more than $11,000 for the OFB Legal Foundation during the annual YF&R Golf Classic, May 4. The 10th annual event was held at Stillwater’s Lakeside Golf Course where more than 25 teams competed in a four-man scramble. Prizes were awarded to the top three teams including Wiggins Auctioneers, third place; Cleveland County Farm

36 • Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012

Bureau, second place and Alfalfa County Farm Bureau, first place. The golf classic is the largest fundraiser orga nized for the OFB Legal Foundation and OFBLF Director Marla Peek said she appreciates the YF&R group’s efforts to support the foundation. “The purpose of our foundation is to support the rights and freedoms of farmers and ranchers by promoting and protecting individual liberties, private property rights and free enterprise,” Peek

said. “We’re grateful for this annual fundraiser that allows us to continue serving Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers.” To learn more about the OFB Legal Foundation, please visit ofblegalfoundation.org. Left: Members of the Oklahoma City law firm McAfee & Taft team up to participate in the annual YF&R Golf Classic. Below: Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Scott Bulling demonstrates his putting skills during the May 4 event.

Left: More than 30 Oklahoma Farm Bureau members and leaders participate in grassroots policy development by attending the annual OFB Congressional Action Tour, March 25-29, in Washington D.C. OFB constituents met with Oklahoma’s two senators and five congressmen to promote agricultural policy ideas. Below: OFB members discuss farm policies and other state interests with First District Congressman John Sullivan at the nation’s capitol. Bottom: OFB members praise Fifth District Congressman James Lankford (2nd from left) for his support of farm truck provisions in the U.S. transportation bill.

Farm Bureau leaders talk priorities at nation’s capitol

onvincing Congress to pass a new farm bill this year was the focus of a group of 30 Oklahoma Farm Bureau leaders during an intense lobbying effort in Washington, D.C., March 26-29. “It’s extremely important we get a new farm bill written this year,” said OFB President Mike Spradling. “Continued delays by Congress to pass the new farm bill will reduce the farm program’s effectiveness.” The Farm Bureau leaders emphasized they need a new farm bill that provides a strong safety net for farm income using a combination of crop insurance, a revenue assurance program and price protection. Spradling said an effective crop insurance program is needed when agricultural crises arise, such as the recent drought that severely damaged crops in the southern High Plains. “The recent history of natural disasters has proven an effective crop insurance program is the only thing that stands between producers having the chance to grow another crop and food production being severely impacted,” Spradling said. The Farm Bureau president said crop insurance must continue to be viable, affordable and flexible to cover a wide variety of crops and growing regions.

“We caution against a wholesale rewrite of the crop insurance program at a time when it has proven its worth and accomplished its purpose of managing risk,” Spradling said. During the trip, the farm leaders met with U.S. Senators Inhofe and Coburn, plus all five U.S. House members from Oklahoma, including Frank Lucas, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. “Lucas is directing the new farm bill and we’re glad he understands how important the farm bill is for Oklahoma agriculture,” Spradling said. The farm leaders also had a brief meeting with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Vilsack understands the need to have a strong farm bill written this year,” said Scott Neufeld, Fairview. Neufeld is chairman of Farm Bureau’s farm bill committee and said the federal officials indicated they support a deadline that calls for

Congress to complete work on the farm bill by fall. The Farm Bureau group has made the Washington, D.C., trip an annual rite of spring, as they take time out from their farm chores to visit the capitol and talk with the nation’s leaders. “This is a valuable trip for farm leaders,” Spradling said. “It shows our Oklahoma congressional delegation that we support them and it gives our members an opportunity to see how the federal government functions.”

Oklahoma Country Country •• Summer Summer 2012 2012 •• 37 37 Oklahoma

YF&R awards district scholarships

his spring, Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers organization awarded seven district scholarships to graduating high school seniors. To qualify, students were required to be members of a voting Farm Bureau family and also enrolled in an agriculture program at an Oklahoma institution of higher learning. The following scholarship recipients each received $1,000 toward the funding of their college education. Brandi Blasdel Buffalo High School District 1, Harper County Farm Bureau

YF&R hosts annual speech contest YF&R state committee member Mary Crain works the speech contest registration table and directs a participant to her appropriate room for judging. The annual competition was held March 26, in Oklahoma City.

Kelsie Williams Hollis Schools District 2, Harmon County Farm Bureau Brandon Copass Walters High School District 4, Cotton County Farm Bureau Kody Leonard Afton High School District 6, Ottawa County Farm Bureau Garrett Sharp Pleasant Vale School District 7, Garfield County Farm Bureau Mary Temple-Lee Pauls Valley High School District 8, Garvin County Farm Bureau Haley Smith Chandler High School District 9, Lincoln County Farm Bureau

38 • Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012

ore than eighty Oklahoma youth recently competed for $8,200 in scholarships and savings bonds during the 17th annual Young Farmers and Ranchers Speech Contest, sponsored by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. The contest was held March 26, at the Oklahoma Farm Bureau office in Oklahoma City. “This contest helps the young leaders better understand agriculture and Farm Bureau issues,” said contest coordinator Derek Crain, Taloga. “It gives them experience talking in front of crowds and builds leadership skills that will help them later in life.” The YF&R Speech Contest was divided into three age divisions: Junior, 9-12 years old; Intermediate, 13-15 years old; and Senior, 16-18 years old. The Junior division contestants presented speeches on the topic “I believe in Oklahoma agriculture.” The Intermediate and Senior divisions gave speeches in three division categories, including Agricultural Production, Agriculture Policy and Environment and Natural Resources. Speeches for the Junior division were three to five minutes in length and five to eight minutes for the Intermediate and Senior divisions. Participants of both contests were judged on speech presentation, content, response to questions and general poise and appearance. Farm Bureau presented plaques to the winners of each category in each age group.

Senior Division – Agriculture Production First Place: Tyler Schnaithman, Garber Second Place: Annie Gilbert, Tecumseh Third Place: Kaylen Baker, Yukon Senior Division – Agriculture Policy First Place: Mikayla Balderas, Tipton Second Place: Emily Landoll, Elgin Third Place: Denton Lowe, Amber Pocasset Senior Division – Environmental and Natural Resources First Place: Ryan Neal, Elgin Intermediate DivisionAgriculture Production First Place: Kaylia McCracken, Elgin Second Place: Juanita Neeley, Lawton Third Place: Kyler Belinson, Fletcher Intermediate Division – Agriculture Policy First Place: Colton Budy, Alva Second Place: Shiane Hood Third Place: Kelby Corbett, Elgin Intermediate Division – Environmental and Natural Resources First Place: Bayli Hyde, Burlington Second Place: Cale John, Cyril Third Place: Jordan Storey, Idabel Junior Division – “I Believe in Oklahoma Agriculture” First Place: Hadley Griffith, Shawnee Second Place: Alexis Peeper, Enid Third Place: Kayla Chaplin, Yukon

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Known as FEAST: klahoma Farm Food Education, Bureau staff Awareness and members Security Transfer, the participated in a day-long event featured farmer’s market vendors from all areas appreciation day May of the food industry in 19, in Oklahoma City, an effort to educate the to promote the public about food and awareness of nutritional choices. agriculture and where The OFB booth food comes from. focused on the value of The event was Local Oklahoma City children enjoy learning about Oklahoma’s leading hosted by the Oklahoma agricultural commodities such as this bushel of wheat agricultural commo cut during the 2012 harvest. Department of dities, where adults and Agriculture, Food and children got a first-hand look at the 2012 Forestry and was held in conjunction with Oklahoma wheat crop. OSU-OKC’s weekly farmers’ market.

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Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers state committee members Ashley Parks (left) and Mary Crain supervise the YF&R booth at the State FFA Convention, April 30 – May 2, in Oklahoma City. FFA students visited the booth to learn more about YF&R and enter a drawing for an Ipod.

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Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012 • 39

Farm City Festival

undreds of state legislators, legislative staff members and other state capitol employees attended the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Farm City Festival April 3, at the state capitol. Hosted by the OFB State Women’s Committee, the annual lunch provides an opportunity for legislators and their support staffs to connect with Farm Bureau leaders. The OFB women prepared items grown in Oklahoma to promote the awareness of agriculture and the state’s leading commodities. The event was held in the first floor rotunda of the state capitol.

Rep. Phil Richardson enjoys lunch provided by the OFB women during Farm City Festival.

Creek County FB women’s committee member Patti Matthews (left) and District 9 Director Phyllis Holcomb (right) visit with State Rep. Mark McCullough during the annual event.

Annual commodity tour features southern Oklahoma

ore than 70 farmers and ranchers attended the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Commodity Tour, April 9-10, in southcentral Oklahoma. Featured stops on Monday, April 9, included the Producer’s Cooperative Oil Mill in Oklahoma City and the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Pauls Valley before dinner at an Ardmore hunting lodge featuring manmade wetlands. On day two of the tour, members visited several Noble Foundation farms where foundation representatives discussed feral hog control, cattle feeding efficiency research, feed systems, electronic identification, pecan management and nutrients in Bermudagrass pastures. Tulsa County Farm Bureau member Chuck Selman said he enjoyed learning about all of the procedures of the Wal-Mart Distribution Center. “The big impression to me is to realize the job that the buyers have to do to keep that much fresh produce moving in and out on a daily basis, year round,” he said. “Until you see it, it’s hard to imagine how much goes into getting that much food from all over the world.”

Top: Noble Foundation officials discuss ways to manage a growing feral hog problem during the annual OFB Commodity Tour. Middle: Members tour the Producers Cooperative Oil Mill in Oklahoma City. Bottom: Commodity tour participants get an inside look at the Wal-Mart Distribution Center, located in Pauls Valley.

Logan County FB women’s committee member Kaye Fruendenberger serves food to a state capitol employee during Farm City Festival. 40 • Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012

Givens inducted into Agriculture Hall of Fame

OFB Secretaries Conference

ormer Oklahoma Farm Bureau director and president Jack Givens received the Governor’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Agriculture and was inducted into the Agriculture Hall of Fame, April 5. During a special presentation at the state capitol, Gov. Mary Fallin honored the Mangum farmer and rancher for his years of service to agriculture. Givens is a cattle rancher who also raises wheat and irrigated cotton in Greer County. He grew up in the Great Depression and attended Oklahoma State University for three years before entering the military. He was injured while fighting in World War II and received a Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge and three Purple Hearts for his bravery. After the war, Givens finished his college degree in agricultural education and soils at Oregon State University. He later returned to the Mangum area where he married and raised five children. Over the years, the southwest Oklahoma farmer built up his operation and served in leadership roles for many commodity and agricultural organizations. He was elected president of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau in 1997, serving one three-year term. Other organizational involvement includes director of the Cotton Incorporated Board and the National Cotton Council as well as serving on the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents. Givens said is grateful for the contributions he made to Oklahoma agriculture and is humbled by the governor’s recent honor. “I started young and I’ve been fortunate healthwise and otherwise,” he said. “I always worked but I enjoyed it.”

Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling addresses more than 65 county secretaries from across the state during the OFB Secretaries Conference, April 23-24, in Norman. Sessions featured information on OFB membership, office safety and procedures, brokerage and underwriting, and other company-related issues.

OFB Herd Builder Cattle Sale

klahoma Farm Bureau hosted its Herd Builder cattle sale during the Southern Plains Farm Show in Oklahoma City, April 19-21. Ranchers from across the state marketed their cows, bulls and heifers on a private treaty basis to prospective buyers and other farm show participants. In addition to the three-day

sale, OFB welcomed a team of cattle experts April 20, to speak on top cattle issues. Extension talk sessions focused on reinvesting in the cattle herd, livestock and forage insurance, pasture recovery, current tax laws and ag leasing options. Audience members also had an opportunity to ask questions and expand on session topics.

Gov. Mary Fallin and Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese (far left) present Jack Givens with the Governor’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Agriculture, April 5, at the state capitol.

Southern Plains Farm Show participants view cattle offered in the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Herd Builder private treaty sale, April 19-21. JJ Jones discusses livestock and forage insurance during the extension talk series hosted by OFB’s Herd Builder sale, April 20. Oklahoma Country Country •• Summer Summer 2012 2012 •• 41 41 Oklahoma

Mangels is OACD Outstanding Landowner/Cooperator

owata County Farm Bureau member Bill Mangels was recognized as the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts “Outstanding Landowner/Cooperator of the Year” during a special awards ceremony April 16, at the state capitol. The northeast Oklahoma rancher runs stocker cattle, cow/calf pairs and horses near Lenapah and has been a long-time conservationist of the land, using prescribed burning, rotational grazing, pond construction and pest and brush management. As both a father and grandfather, Mangels said he hopes to pass on his conservation practices to the younger members of his family. “I’m humbled to get the award but I have tried to take care of the land and leave it better than I found it,” he said.

Bill Mangels (second from left) was honored with the Outstanding Landowner/Cooperator of the Year award during an OACD awards ceremony, April 16. Also pictured from left State Director of the Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma Mike Fuhr, Glenna Mangels, OACD President Joe Parker and Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese.

Oklahoma Youth Expo Sale of Champions Left: OFB President Mike Spradling (right) accepts the 2011 OYE Volume Buyers Award from OYE Board of Director Chairman Bob Funk in recognition of last year’s sale. Below: Oklahoma Farm Bureau teamed up with BancFirst to purchase the Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb

42 42 •• Oklahoma Oklahoma Country Country •• Summer Summer 2012 2012

during the 2012 Oklahoma Youth Expo Sale of Champions, March 19. Exhibited by Luke Davis of Guthrie FFA, the lamb was among 33 animals OFB purchased at the sale. According to expo officials, more than 8,400 animals were shown March 9-18, at OYE – the nation’s largest junior livestock show.

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Oklahoma Farm Bureau Women’s Committee Chairman Kitty Beavers (left) honors 2012 Ag in the Classroom “Teacher of the Year” Shirley Lettkeman during an Ag Day at the Capitol presentation, April 5. In celebration of the award, the OFB Women’s Committee helped sponsor Lettkeman’s trip to the National AITC Conference in Loveland, Colo., June 19-22.

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NEWS FROM OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY’S ROBERT M. KERR FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS CENTER

Viva Vegas Strip Steak: Hitting the jackpot with a beef carcass breakthrough

he cards are dealt for a beef steak discovery when a renowned meat scientist and big city culinary mastermind join forces with Oklahoma State University’s Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center to unveil the Vegas Strip Steak as the “newest” beef steak. “The Vegas Strip Steak is the latest and perhaps last steak to be found in the beef carcass,” said Jacob Nelson, FAPC value-added meat processing specialist. “I have a feeling this is the last new steak that will have real implications in the industry.”

The Players Tony Mata with Mata & Associates, Rick Gresh – a chef at David Burke’s Primehouse at The James Hotel in Chicago, and FAPC’s Nelson worked to discover the new cut of steak. “Given the history of the beef industry, the discovery of a new beef steak that has never before been fabricated and marketed could appear to be an impossibility,” Nelson said. “But the FAPC, together with Dr. Mata and Chef Gresh, have made this impossibility a reality.” Mata’s research in obscure and “off-the-path” muscles led to the find. “I failed on three other muscles before I stumbled upon this muscle,” Mata said. “I decided the muscle looked intriguing as compared to the others I had not succeeded with.” With more than 30 years of beef carcass research and development, the self-proclaimed Meat Geek® approached Nelson with the possibility of a new steak. Nelson and the FAPC assisted in the areas of technical assistance, facility availability and industry application. “The staff and facility availability at the FAPC verified this new steak find,” Nelson said. “It is the mission of the center to discover, 44 • Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012

The meat scientist-university duo also worked to find commercialization opportunities. “In a world full of ideas, validating an idea is a key task,” Nelson said. Following the discovery of the muscle, the next step was to protect the technology. Steven Price, associate vice president for technology development at OSU Technology Development Center, assisted the team in protecting their find. “What we did to bring this cut to the industry is very similar to what has been exercised with other value cuts by the beef industry in the past with the difference being The Deal that previous value cut models were funded by “Initially, the cut was labeled as the beef industry through check-off programs,” undervalued,” Mata said. “This is a complex Nelson said. “Dr. Price and the Technology and challenging muscle.” In the research and development phase, the Development Center provided initial patent guidance and still assist with the varying Vegas Strip Steak’s tenderness, flavor and aspects of intellectual property.” appearance were matched up to the New York Additionally, The Ranchers Club, as part of OSU’s School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration and the College of Human Sciences, had a hand in preliminary preparation, plating and tasting of the new steak. “The Ranchers Club prepared and hosted smallscaled tastings of the steak,” Nelson said. “Chef Pritchett Experts say the new Vegas Strip Steak’s and his culinary staff were tenderness, flavor and appearance are very gracious in assisting in comparable to the New York Strip Steak. this process and did a tremendous job preparing the Vegas Strip Steak.” Strip, Petite Tender and Flat Iron Steak. “This muscle produces a steak that is on What’s in the Cards? par with or better than today’s most popular For this cut to succeed from the farm to the steaks,” Mata said. “Specifically, the tender ness of the Vegas Strip Steak is comparable to table, there needs to be a profit, Mata said. “If you take the current value of the muscle the New York Strip Steak. It does not require and follow our harvesting procedure, the price aging or marinating to achieve tenderness point will be in the range of what the customer and its visual appeal enhances the steak will pay for it, and yet this steak fits high end, eater’s overall enjoyment.” develop and deliver technical and business support to spur growth of value-added food and agricultural products, and the FAPC did just that in this instance.” To bring the find to fruition past harvesting, Mata met with Chef Gresh to verify culinary performance of the Vegas Strip Steak. “From a culinary standpoint, Chef Gresh knows beef,” Mata said. “Chef Gresh was key in validating product performance, establishing target specifications, developing and identifying menu possibilities and confirming profit potential.”

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white table cloth settings,” Nelson said. Intentions for the new steak are targeted for food service entities. “This steak can be fabricated from 4 ounces to 12 ounces,” Nelson said. “The versatility of this steak allows it to be utilized across a wide range of food service sectors.” Even with similarities to the New York Strip, pricing of the Vegas Strip Steak is expected to be competitive. “It does not require aging or marinating to achieve tenderness and its visual appeal enhances the steak eater’s overall enjoyment,” Mata said. “We are confident that we have a cut that will deliver on tenderness and flavor.” Chef Gresh said he is excited about the opportunities the Vegas Strip Steak brings to menus. During the April 2012 tasting and unveiling at the Protein Innovation Summit in Chicago, the Vegas Strip Steak was a Vegas winner. “The Vegas Strip Steak was well received by the audience,” Mata said. “They tasted it, loved it and applauded.” With a patent pending, the cut has yet to be marketed to the general public. However, identified suppliers are fabricating the cut and interested parties can be licensed to produce and advertise the cut.

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Country

Kitchen

Tortilla Lasagna Serves 8

FSA now accepting pollinator habitats in continuous CRP

ollinator habitats will now be accepted as a Continuous Sign-up Conservation Reserve Program practice. Pollinator habitats are areas of permanent vegetation located in an agricultural landscape that support a variety of pollinator species. Habitats include field edges, field middles, odd corners or any agricultural location that is suitable for establishing pollinator habitat. Participants of newly enrolled pollinator habitat practices are eligible to receive a $150 CRP Sign-up Incentive Payment per acre. The SIP is a one-time payment issued to CRP participants after the contract is approved. The following practices qualify for the $150 SIP: • Pollinator Habitats • Wetland Restoration & Wetland Restoration (non-floodplain) practice, which restores the functions and values of wetland ecosystems that have been devoted to agricultural use • Habitat Buffers for Upland Birds practice, which provides food and cover for quail and upland birds in cropland areas The SIP for all other continuous sign-up practices remains unchanged at $100 per acre. Approximately three quarters of all flowering plants rely upon external assistance to pollinate their flowers. In the United States, insects pollinate crops that produce $40 billion worth of products annually. Studies indicate that birds, bees, bats, and other pollinators are in significant decline across the country and around the world. Nearly 80% of the crops grown in the world require pollination. For additional information about the continuous conservation reserve program contact your local FSA office or visit the FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov/ok.

46 • Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012

Ingredients: 2 pounds Certified Angus Beef ® ground chuck, cooked and drained 1 (1.25-ounce) package taco seasoning 3/4 cup water 1 cup chopped green onions 1 (16-ounce) jar salsa 12 (6-inch) corn tortillas 5 (5-ounce) cans diced green chilies 1 pound grated Monterey Jack cheese 1 (10-ounce) can mild enchilada sauce Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. Combine cooked ground beef with taco seasoning, water and green onions. Stir in salsa. 3. Spray 9” x 13” pan with nonstick spray. Place a layer of tortillas in the bottom. Top with a third of the green chilies, ground beef, cheese and enchilada sauce. Repeat layers twice, using cheese on top. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes.

Nutritional Information: Calories: 605, Fat: 35 g, Saturated Fat: 18 g, Cholesterol: 134 mg, Carbohydrate: 34 g, Dietary Fiber: 5 g, Protein: 41 g, Sodium: 924 mg, Iron: 25% of Daily Value

Honey Pork Tenderloin Kabobs (SERVES 4) Ingredients:

2 tablespoons cider vinegar ½ cup honey ½ cup mustard 1 teaspoon dried tarragon 3-4 sweet potatoes, cut into 24 one-inch cubes 1 ½ pounds pork tenderloin, cut into 24 one-inch cubes 4 medium ripe peaches, unpeeled, pitted and quartered 4 green peppers, each cut into 8 two-inch pieces 8 yellow onions, each cut into 4 one-inch pieces olive oil, for grilling Instructions: Mix first four ingredients in a bowl; stir well and set glaze aside. Steam or boil sweet potatoes until crisp-tender. Thread 3 sweet potato cubes, 3 pork cubes, 2 peach quarters, 4 green pepper pieces and 4 onion pieces alternately onto each of eight 10-inch skewers. Brush kabobs with honey glaze mixture. Lightly oil grill. Grill over medium-hot coals 5 minutes on each side or until thoroughly heated, basting occasionally with glaze. * Serving suggestion: Serve with your favorite potato salad, grilled corn on the cob and cold melon for dessert.. Nutritional Information: Calories: 640 calories, Protein: 42 grams, Fat: 12 grams, Sodium: 290 milligrams, Cholesterol: 110 milligrams, Saturated Fat: 3 grams, Carbohydrates: 77 grams

Country

Classifieds AUTOMOTIVE

For sale, 1995 Buick Lasebra (has bad engine) will sell all or for parts (good body and interior), 405279-2647. 2008 Suzuki Burgman “Executive Touring” 650cc, black, ABS brakes, 3,000 mi on garaged bike, 1-owner, $4,900. 2002 Ford supercharge SVT lighting pickup, red ext with custom bed cover, one owner, only $6,500 miles, 580-512-2832 2005 Honda Civiv, VGC, one-owner, black with gray interior, dark-tinted windows, 4 door, CD player, automatic transmission, power door locks and windows, 90,000 miles, $9,200, 918-617-2914 1985 Ford F250 Extended Cab, 5.9 diesel, dually with 100 gallon tank, 580-512-0557 1999 Lincoln Navigator, 4WD, loaded, good condition, runs great, 159,500 miles, asking $4,995, call 918-693-5420 Dodge 1-ton dually, $12,000, 918-650-8907 1994 Chevy 2 ton truck, 80 int 2 ton for salvage, both have good steel beds, 405-258-6559 For sale: 1996 Ford F350 flat bed diesel, 7.3 super cab, new rebuilt transmission, $4,500, 918-723-5653

Farm Machinery/Equipment For sale, 1995 Buick Lasebra (has bad engine) will sell all or for parts (good body and interior), 405279-2647. 2008 Suzuki Burgman “Executive Touring” 650cc, black, ABS brakes, 3,000 mi on garaged bike, 1-owner, $4,900. 2002 Ford supercharge SVT lighting pickup, red ext with custom bed cover, one owner, only $6,500 miles, 580-512-2832 2005 Honda Civiv, VGC, one-owner, black with gray interior, dark-tinted windows, 4 door, CD player, automatic transmission, power door locks and windows, 90,000 miles, $9,200, 918-617-2914 1985 Ford F250 Extended Cab, 5.9 diesel, dually with 100 gallon tank, 580-512-0557 1999 Lincoln Navigator, 4WD, loaded, good condition, runs great, 159,500 miles, asking $4,995, call 918-693-5420 Dodge 1-ton dually, $12,000, 918-650-8907 1994 Chevy 2 ton truck, 80 int 2 ton for salvage, both have good steel beds, 405-258-6559 For sale: 1996 Ford F350 flat bed diesel, 7.3 super cab, new rebuilt transmission, $4,500, 918-723-5653

Livestock Brangus bulls and fancy replacement heifers, excellent genetics and gentle dispositions, delivery available, Horsehead Ranch, 918-695-2357. Boer goats, good show quality, Reg Billy and full blood Nannys, shots and wormed, call 405-213-6448. AQHA and APHA horses for sale, show quality, visit www.cbarbranch.com for more information. 2 older reg show mares, gentle, friendly, 14.2 H.H. sorrels, great rides, seen it all, $1,200 each,

Wetumka, 405-452-3267. Reg Angus Bulls and open heifers, top bloodlines, 405-567-3608. Angus bulls, 8 to 12 mo old, angus business 53 years, some location, John Deer 435 baler twine tie, baled, 6500 bales, 580-456-7241. Cattle for sale, mixed cow-calf pairs and four bred cows, 405-258-6559 Bred show cattle, cows and heifers, one young bull, 405-240-2177 Registered black Simmental bulls and heifers, some AI and myers 734 blood line, a few bred cows and pairs, 580-258-0080 Morgan horses, beautiful, well bred, quality, wonderful horses for family, show, work or pleasure, due to health reasons and amount of horses we have, we are selling them for a very reasonable price, call 405-473-0448, all calls returned, leave message Boar goats, meat goats, as well as some nice show whethers, call 405-317-3047, El Reno, OK For sale: Mini Jenny chocolate color, gentle, 6 months old, $300, 405-452-3844 Registered Black Angus Bulls for sale, 18 to 20 months old, semen tested, 918-696-2061 26 Black Angus cows, 3-7 years old, 9 calves bal. bred to calve May and June, 405-833-4715 Double Tough Harlan at stud, $400 stud fee, 012 colts for sale, www.okharlanhourses.com, 918762-3769 Embryo Sellout, Carnac and Godfather out of Charolais donor, $100 each, cell: 405-990-5699

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Earn $75,000/yr Part-Time in the livestock or equipment appraisal business. Agricultural background required. Classroom or home study courses available. 800-488-7570. Used Portable Sawmills! Buy/Sell. Call Sawmill Exchange 800-459-2148, http://www.sawmill exchange.com Seven piece antique silver tea server set, below appraisal price, 100+ years old, 580-338-6433. Wicked Pony Trading Co. – Custom cowboy gear, antiques, knives, home furnishings, we buy, sell & trade, 5006 W Hwy 51, Mannford, OK, 918-688-0714. Billy goat gruff trim table for trimming or milking – ramp with sides – stand with shute and head gate, $1100, 918-374-2786. Martin Monument Co, Okmulgee, OK, Okmulgee’s full service monument shop, 918-756-6619, we accept all major credit cards.

For sale: 100 year old used brick, $.30 ea, cleaned, you haul, 918-655-3126, Wister, Leflore Co. Larson 1997 HP 350 Voval motor, Lt. 19’ 11”, pleasure boat, open, hull fiber glass, prop I/O, fuel gas, very very nice, kelp inside, asking $14,500, can go down a little, 918-944-0919 or 918-256-2399. Used pallet racking and shelving, beams, grids, different heights, call for prices, anytime, 918-8698418. Tractor work – front loader – box blade – roto tiller – brush hog – finish mower, Moore, Norman, Purcell area’s, call 405-226-2068. 19,250 ft 2 3/8 pipe, $1.10 - $1.25/ft, 6510 ft 2 7/8 pipe, $1.15 - $1.40/ft, 3/4”; 7/8” sucker rods; fiberglass posts, 405-627-3920. What will the next disaster do to you? www.ready. gov, www.altusem.blogspot.com. New Agco header, clutch in box, magnet and armature, $750, 580-548-6783. Fresh vegetables for sale on farm site, call for selection available, 5120 S Cimarron Road, Yukon, from Yukon – I-40 – west to Cim Road exit, go south 6 miles, 405-802-8135. Nice pool table, $750, 580-677-1873. 180 MPG moped bicycle, 405-221-7107. 1940s handmade rolltop desk, $600, solid oak china cabinet and hutch, $500 for both, 918-705-1267, ask for Ed. Sit up weight lift, works arms, lay down weight bench with weights, queen size bedroom suite, baseball cards, call Sherri at 405-598-1202 1978 18’ Caravelle fiberglass boat, inboard/outboard, Chevy V8 305 engine, gold/white on Tandem Trailer with side guards, sticker good until June 2012, $6,000, Loyal, OK, 405-368-7794 Boat entertainment center, swivel rocking chairs, small student desk and a large desk, 405-733-4748 Serger New Home Janome My Lock 634D, with different feed accessories, instruction book and padded case, $350 plus delivery, 580-430-8036 Windmill, working when taken down, $1,200, 405325-8495 or 405-229-7005, can help load Kelly’s Monuments, Henryetta, OK, 918-652-7248, Big display, best prices, buy direct and save, check our prices before you buy, pinkston123@aol.com Memorial Park, Tulsa, OK, two lots near veterans area, spaces 3 and 4, lot 694, section 14, 918-4512636, $3,500 Fence Charger Repair, all makes, rebuilt units for sale. We repair old International Chargers! Pioneer Electronics, South of Enid, 580-603-0063 or 580758-9471 Stanley Home Products, fuller brush degreasers, brushes, brooms, bathroom cleaners, germicides, combs, colognes, foam cleaners, kitchen cleaners, mops, air fresheners, odor eliminators, vitamins, lotions, 580-497-2249 Ramsey Termite and Pest Control, Call 405-570-1562 5th Wheel Sliding Hitch 16K Reese complete, Tripod and other accessories, Priced to sell, Bartlesville, OK, 918-440-3650 Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012 • 47

25 acres of Mineral Rights in Seminole County for lease, 405-257-2071 2005 Suzuki GSX-R600K, 20th anniversary edition, $4,000, 918-650-8907 1964-E Cessna 150 Airplane, $11,000, 1992 Capella Airplane, $10,000, 918-650-8907 Totco weight indicator: 50,000 pounds, single line pull, Piston type, clevis both ends, with refill pump, 20 ft of hose, $4,000 or OBO, 580-478-2667 For Sale: Metal Grain Bins, conebottoms, cement blocks, Kingfisher, OK, Call: Ray at 405-375-6283

Mobile Homes, RVs

2002 Clayton Mobile Home, 3 BR, 2 Bath, central heat & air, to be moved, 580-326-7861 or 580-326-4208. Class A motorhome, 2000, 37.2’, Kountry Star with 1 slide, V10 Ford gas engine, 33,500 miles, stored inside, must see, 580-747-1935. Challenger Camper, 2007, 29TRL-33’, dual air, 3 slide outs, satellite system/auto seek, very clean, $27,500, 580-492-4417 2003 Clayton Mobile Home for sale, 16x80, 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, new metal roof, very well kept, please call after 6 p.m., 405-795-1803 1995 Skyline Cutlass Trailer, 76x16, 3 br, 2 bath, utility room, eat-in kitchen, must be moved, $12,000, call 580-716-6011 or 918-740-1089 RV Camper with slide, $3,000, 918-650-8907 1989 Dodge XPLORER RV Van, $3,000. 918-650-8907

Pets Collie puppies, AKC rough collies, sables & tri’s, sociable, smart, both parents on site, great for making priceless memories, 918-208-4721. Baby guineas (keets) for sale, 1-7 days old, $3.00 each in Tecumseh, 405-598-8339 or cell 405-250-0309.

Real Estate

House for sale by owner, south Oklahoma City, Moore school district, great location, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, new siding w/ lifetime warranty, new interior paint, $95,000, 405-517-0969. 285 acres in nw Woods Co, OK, artisian well & live

springs, good fence, owner retired, mineral for sale in Comanche Co, KS, 580-763-4345. 82 acres, Red Oak, OK, forest, mountain terrain, secluded property, great hunting, $61,500, 405-6598783 or 405-216-0117. For sale: country home, 1591 sq ft, 11.3 acres, Blackwell, OK, 3-4 br, ex lg kitchen & utility, vinyl siding & double pane windows, attic fan, 2 car carport, call 580-363-3534. Land available for cell tower sites in Stephens county, have commercial land for lease along Hwy 81 & Plato Rd in Duncan, OK, lot for sale or lease, 5th Street & Walnut in Duncan, 580-255-5335, leave message. 10 acres, 3 bed, 2 ba, brick home, new paint, floors, heat pump, water heater, insulation, 3 car shop, custom cellar, 2 ac. plantation pines, deer, turkey, beautiful, $165,000, near Antlers, OK, 580-298-5090. Brick, 3/3/2, fireplace, wood/cpt floors, 2 dining areas, alarm, mother-in-law floor plan, $195K, 2 outbldgs, total electric, 405-273-2096, 4 acres mol, 2250’ mol, 14505 Hwy 102, Shawnee. Brick house, 3 bedroom, 1 & 1 1/2 bath, 2700 sq ft w/3 acres, complete remodel, 3 miles south of Savanna, OK, 918-548-3511 or 918-424-0577. 15 acres, 3 bd, 2 ba + 1998 Clayton mobile home, 2 bd, 2 ba, 16X60 + 2 out buildings and pond, N of Seminole, $116,000, 405-382-0589. 160 acres, family farm, OK County, N of Luther, Good RD, hay field, good pasture, hunt deer, turkey, wild hog, pond, small home, new well, $4,000 Acre, 405399-2333 3 bed 2 bath cedar siding house, ½ city block, den, large wood stove, gun case, 2 storage buildings, 2 car carport, steel roof, Tishomingo, OK, 580-3717263, 405-371-6347 2100 sq. ft. home on 10 acres improved grass with pecan trees, 4 bed, 2 bath, 2 car garage with shop, CH&A, ceiling fans, crown molding, sun porch, Nice! Marietta area, $189,500, 580-276-5755 Brick home near Lake Keystone, 3 br 1 ba on 1 acre, 30x42 shop building, 918-695-9113 80 acres on Jack Fork Mountain in Latimer County,

0000-19-039-18E-2-001-00, call 918-434-2479 980 acres, 250 cow/calf, 95% open, Bermuda, Bermuda fescue, bluestem grasses, good home and improvement, 12 ponds, good fences, adjoining land is for sale, Good Earthland Co., 918-689-3166 63 acres springs, cabin with metal roof, barn, large trees, close to north fork of Red River, go to www. greercountyfarm.info, 817-249-9136

WANTED WANTED OLDER VEHICLES, CARS, PICKUPS, VANS, WAGONS, 1900s THRU 1960s, GAS PUMPS, TAGS. 580-658-3739. ATTN! We pay cash for mineral rights, Royalty Interests and Overriding Royalty Interests. Call Mark. 817-946-6983. Want to buy railroad items – locks, keys, tools, signs, lanterns and miscellaneous items, also items from Stonewall and Tupelo, Oklahoma, 580-399-8866. Want to buy old German Lugar Pistols, working or not working, to be used for bath parts and on wall hangers, Call Don, 713-614-2633. Want to purchase oil & gas mineral rights, producing and nonproducing, 580-233-0353 or 800-687-5882. Wanted: Canary birds (hens), For sale: doves, 405321-2008, leave message. Wanted: Someone to repair and refurbish a Singer sewing machine over 100 years old and an old trunk, 918-465-2938 Collector paying cash for antique fishing lures and tackle. Also, Coke machines and signs. Call Troy at 800-287-3057 Have cash to buy 80-200 acres near Shawnee, rough land ok, prefer blacktop but will consider anything, 50-717-7587, will return all calls. Wanted: year round hunting/camping/fishing lease, central OK, 3-4 experienced, considerate sportsmen, call: 405-822-0490 Farm Tractor with loader, 405-263-7205 1990-1994 GM Pickup body and chassis, 918-7234603, Westville

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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48 • Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012

Zip Deadline for the next issue is September 12, 2012.

Feeding and clothing the world ...

one farmer at a time.

It’s 11 p.m. and Jessica Wilcox and her husband, Clint, still have a long night of canola harvest in front of them. While the hours are long and the work is hard, the Wilcoxes are as excited as ever about the future of agriculture. Oklahoma Farm Bureau shares their passion and the passion of our farm and ranch family members, which is why Oklahoma Farm Bureau is dedicated to representing the agriculturalists who work hard to feed and clothe all of us.

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2501 N Stiles • Oklahoma City, OK 73105 • www.okfarmbureau.org 49 • Oklahoma Country • Summer 2012