Okfbsp 1 12 by Oklahoma Farm Bureau

Spring 2010

The Magazine Of The Oklahoma Farm Bureau

Inside:

Made in Oklahoma No Shortage YF&R Stand Up, Speak Out for Agriculture The Key to Saving

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Oklahoma Country

Contents

Features

8 – Made In Oklahoma

Shoppers filling their grocery carts have discovered the quality products made right here in the Oklahoma thanks to the efforts of the MIO Coalition. By Mike Nichols

16 – No shortage

Contrary to reports in the Associated Press,

MSNBC and Business Week, vegetable gardeners should not see a shortage of seeds when planting time arrives this spring. By Mike Nichols

18 – Young Farmers & Ranchers Stand Up, Speak Out for Agriculture

Agriculture is faced with mounting challenges and

it takes strength, determination and a heavy dose of faith to make it in the business. But, those savvy enough to survive and flourish reap the rewards of a job well done. By Traci Morgan

Cover Image A honey bee dances in the southern Oklahoma wind with a canola bloom. Oklahoma honey and oil produced from canola seeds can be found both in our state and around our nation.

24 – The Key to Saving

Did you know that being an Oklahoma Farm Bureau member entitles you to hundreds of dollars in savings with discounts at a wide variety of businesses? There are 27 different savings options, to be exact! By Carter Campbell

Columns

Departments

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

26 – All Around Oklahoma 42 – Country Classifieds 44 – Country Kitchen

Photo by Dustin Mielke

Hidden number worth $50!

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

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

Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010 • 1

Presidentially

Speaking By Mike Spradling President, Oklahoma Farm Bureau & Affiliated Companies

We better pay attention

hile in Washington, D.C., at the American Farm Bureau Federation Board meeting in March, the meeting was recessed so we could attend a special meeting of the Senate Agriculture Committee Chamber. As many of you know the American Farm Bureau and each state Farm Bureau have been actively involved in the “Don't Cap Our Future” campaign. Many of you have signed the Farm Bureau caps and cards in protest of the Cap and Trade legislation introduced in Congress. Well, because of your efforts and involvement, it looks as though that piece of legislation is dead for the moment. The Obama Administration is committed on passing some type of legislation controlling greenhouse gasses. If the Administration cannot achieve this by the legislative process they will try to control greenhouse gasses through the rule making process by utilizing the very powerful agency known as EPA. The meeting began with Senator Blanch Lincoln of Arkansas, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, stating the importance of each citizen contacting their senator and expressing their opposition of the EPA rule making dealing with the regulation of greenhouse gases. It is important to know the consequences

2 • Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010

of the U.S. being one of a few or the only country trying to regulate greenhouse gases. First of all, if greenhouse gases are having an effect of our environment by increasing the temperature of the atmosphere, this is a global problem not just an U. S. problem. The U.S. alone regulating the emissions will have no effect on the overall temperature of the earth’s atmosphere. Second, supply and demand regulates the price of most items and commodities. Natural gas is no exception. If all the generators that produce electricity in the U.S. are powered by natural gas the increase in demand would increase the cost to produce electricity. It is believed that the annual increase to the average home in Oklahoma would be over $3,000 per household if Cap and Trade were to pass. Not only would we pay more for home heating and cooking but American agriculture would get a double whammy because of our fertilizer being produced from natural gas.

e must continue to find new technology which allows us to burn coal in an environmentally friendly way. Coal is just one piece of the puzzle to achieving our energy independence, but it an important piece of the puzzle.

Just think what the increase in cost to industry would be if Cap and Trade should pass and who would pay the increased cost of producing a product. YOU, the consumer. Senator Jim Inhofe knows this and has continually fought to represent the consumer on this issue. Senator Inhofe was recognized for his work on our behalf by being the recipient of the American Farm Bureau Golden Plow Award here in Oklahoma City last month for his stand in opposition to the climate change legislation. Many senators are joining in on signing a Resolution of Disapproval of the Administration trying to regulate greenhouse gasses through the rulemaking process when failing to achieve this goal through the legislative process. Both Senator Inhofe and Senator Coburn are co-sponsors of this resolution. Take the time to educate yourself on this very important issue and how its passing would affect you and the country in which you live. Oklahoma’s senators are paying attention and so should we. If there were ever a time in our history to become an informed electorate now is the time. We better pay attention!

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Outlook

Executive

By Monica Wilke Executive Director Oklahoma Farm Bureau & Affiliated Companies

Spring 2010 Volume 62 No. 2 Oklahoma Country (ISSN 1544-6476)

The Farm Bureau Code

n two years, Oklahoma Farm Bureau s you read the list, you may be will be 70 years old. Will the coming thinking, those aren’t rules; those are new era make for vast changes in the principles. If so, you would be organization or will it continue in much correct. The 10 principles mentioned the same fashion that it has up until now? are not reflected in just talking about them, Such a question, invites one to ponder the past. but in carrying them out through our actions. Throughout the past few months, I have These values probably seem simplistic and spoken with many of you about the history of familiar to you as a group. However, if these our early years. In the book about our values were followed and incorporated into organizational history, business ethics “From the Grassroots models across Rules of the Range Up,” former Oklahoma America, meaningful Farm Bureau President change could begin. 1. Live Each Day with Courage James L. Lockett wrote: Oklahoma Farm 2. Take Pride in your Work “Our early leaders have Bureau, much like 3. Always Finish what you Start succeeded in building a the range land of 4. Do What Has to be Done prosperous, growing, this great state, “is a 5. Be Tough, But Fair vibrantly alive place where the 6. When You Make a Promise, Keep It organization. They did fence is tight, but the 7. Ride for the Brand it through hard work, gate is always open. 8. Talk Less Say More ingenuity, thrift and It is a place where a 9. Remember That Some Things Aren’t maybe a little luck. person can make For Sale Now it’s time to keep tough decisions 10. Know Where to Draw the Line the ideals and without looking over objectives in view, so their shoulder or that we may provide worrying about what the continuity which was dreamed of.” someone else will think.” Our strength comes With that in mind, I have found myself from knowing right from wrong, who we are considering what the early leaders of Farm and staying true to our core beliefs. This is the Bureau possessed that kept them focused essence of the cowboy way as well as the Farm through the struggles of those early years, Bureau way. when they devoted themselves morning, noon I am proud to be a part of such a culture and night to the Farm Bureau vision. More and feel blessed to work for such an importantly, how can we apply those early organization. For many of us at Farm Bureau, lessons to our current challenges as an this is not just a job or another duty we have organization and as representatives of to check off our list; it is a way of life. Much agriculture? like our leaders and founders from the past, In a book entitled, “Cowboy Ethics: What our future will not be determined by luck or Wall Street can learn from the Code of the happenstance. Our continued success and West,” I rediscovered 10 “rules of the range” as strength will come from remembering who we the book calls them, that Farm Bureau are and where we came from while applying members have always possessed. What are those lessons to our current environment. these so called “rules of the range?” Thanks to all of you for making OFB great! 4 • Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010

Published four times per year in April, July, October and January by Oklahoma Farm Bureau, 2501 N. Stiles, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3126, Telephone 405-523-2300. Periodicals postage paid at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Additional Mailing Offices. Postmaster: Send address corrections to: Oklahoma Country, P.O.B. 53332, Oklahoma City, OK 73152-3332. EDITORIAL TEAM Mike Nichols Oklahoma Country Editor and Senior Writer Sam Knipp Vice President Corporate Communications / PR Traci Morgan Perspective / Online News Editor Dustin Mielke Multi-media Producer / Writer DIRECT YOUR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES TO: Oklahoma Country Attn: Mike Nichols 2501 N. Stiles Oklahoma City, OK 73105 405-523-2300, Ext. 2345 ADVERTISING POLICY All advertising is subject to publisher’s approval. Advertisers assume all liability for content of their advertising. Publisher maintains right to cancel advertising. Publisher does not guarantee advertiser service or products, and assumes no liability for products or services advertised. TO SUBSCRIBE Oklahoma Country subscription rate is $1 per year for members as part of the dues, $15 for non-members. WEB SITE www.okfarmbureau.org Oklahoma Farm Bureau DIRECTORS Mike Spradling, President Bob Drake, Vice President Tom Buchanan, Treasurer Roland Pederson, Secretary Ervin Mitchell, Director Donna VonTungeln, Director Larry Boggs, Director Charles Sloan, Director Billy Gibson, Director Phyllis Holcomb, Director Monica Wilke, Executive Director

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9:31:50 Oklahoma Country2/26/10 • Spring 2010AM •5

Country

Gardening By Joe Benton

Extension Education, Ag & CED Pottawatomie County OSU Extension Service

2010 Oklahoma Proven Selections

hear a lot about going green these days, conserving water, saving money and time while still wanting to have an aesthetically pleasing landscape, all desired outcomes. People also are looking for low maintenance plants that thrive in Oklahoma’s “interesting” climate. For a number of years now, the Oklahoma State University Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, OSU Botanical Gardens, Oklahoma Botanical Garden and Arboretum and Oklahoma Green Industry Cooperators have been making selections of plants that thrive in Oklahoma. The following is a list of “2010 Oklahoma Proven Selections.” These selections have been made since 1999. A trip to their website, which is at the end of this column, will give you past years’ selections. Photos also are available on this site. I would encourage you to try some of these plants as they have taken out some of the guesswork in growing them in our harsh conditions. Collector’s Choice – Caddo Sugar Maple, Acer saccharum Caddo Caddo Sugar Maple is a native population of sugar maple found growing in Caddo County in southwestern Oklahoma. The leaves are dark green, deeply lobed and leathery making it more resistant to leaf tatter and scorch. Caddo Sugar Maple also is quite tolerant of high pH soils, extreme heat and drought conditions commonly found in western Oklahoma. It can reach 30 to 50 feet tall and is a beautiful medium to large shade tree. Fall color is variable, but can range from yellow to golden yellow to orange and sometimes red; cultivars selected for brilliant fall colors as well as outstanding performance are available. • Exposure: Full sun 6 • Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010

Tree – Indian Cherry, Rhamnus carolinianus Indian Cherry is a small tree (or large, multi-stemmed shrub) to 20 feet tall with a rounded to spreading canopy. It is native to the eastern, southeastern U.S. making it more desirable over its European cousins. The foliage is dark, lustrous green all summer turning yellow to orange yellow in the fall. Probably its greatest asset is the colorful fruit that develop late summer/fall turning red and then to black as it matures. These beautiful, sweet fruit also attract several species of birds and can be used to make jams and jellies. • Exposure: Full sun to shade • Soil: Prefers well-drained soil • Hardiness: USDA Zone 5-9

Shrub – Koreanspice Viburnum, Viburnum carlesii Koreanspice Viburnum is a small to medium sized shrub offering year round interest. In summer the leaves are dark green; fall color can be wine-red. Flower buds are pink to red opening white or pink in spring emitting a wonderful fragrance. In late summer clusters of red fruit that fade to black invite birds to the garden. Once the shrub has become established it is quite heat and drought tolerant and though it prefers moist, slightly acid soils and sun to part shade, it is tolerant of high pH soils and wind-swept conditions. It grows from 4 to 5 feet high and just as broad. Valued for its fragrant flowers, this shrub can be used as a foundation planting, specimen or incorporated into a mixed border. Several improved cultivars are available. • Exposure: Sun to part shade • Soil: Moist, well-drained

CADDO

Indian Cherry

• Soil: Prefers well-drained soil; tolerant of dry and high pH soils • Hardiness: USDA Zone 5-9

• Hardiness: USDA Zone 5-7 Perennial – Toad Lily, Tricyrtis hirta Toad lilies are known for their very unique flowers. Flowers are pale lilac with dark purple spots that appear on upright arching stems late summer to early fall when many other plants are beginning to wind down. Though flowers are quite unique, they are small so place the toad lily in a spot where the flowers can be appreciated up close. The plant grows 2 to 3 feet high and about 2 feet wide with bright green leaves. They are excellent for the woodland garden as understory plants where they will be protected by shade. Toad lily is easy to grow, resistant to deer, somewhat drought tolerant, but grows best in moist soils and will even tolerate wet conditions. Several cultivars with varying flower colors are available. • Exposure: Shade, partial shade • Soil: Moist, well-drained • Hardiness: USDA Zone 4-8 Annual – Silver Falls Dichondra, Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’ ‘Silver Falls’ Dichondra was selected for its very low growing, creeping trailing habit and beautiful silvery gray leaves that are shaped like miniature lily pads. Silver Falls is actually a selection of a dichondra species native to southwest Texas and Mexico so it is quite heat and drought tolerant. Growing only 2 inches tall and 3 to 4 feet wide it is an attractive groundcover, but is also spectacular in a container planting or hanging basket, spilling over a retaining wall, or when used in a rock garden.

• Exposure: Full sun to part shade • Soil: Well-drained • Hardiness: Use as an annual For more information about Oklahoma Proven go to http://oklahomaproven.okstate.edu/ 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. If you have questions concerning this topic or related topics, please contact the OSU Extension Center at 273-7683, stop by the office, or visit our website: http:// countyext.okstate.edu/pottawatomie/

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Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010 • 7

Made in Oklahoma Oklahoma products are finding their place in grocery carts. MIO Coalition is helping to promote a wide variety of food products made by more than 30 Oklahoma food manufacturers. By Mike Nichols

hile many items you browse through shopping are labeled Made in China, Made in Japan or even Made in Bangladesh, Oklahomans filling their grocery carts are discovering several products with a more local origin. Although an official logo doesn’t appear on each container, consumers are finding a growing list of readily available food products that are made right here in Oklahoma. “When Oklahomans buy local products, they’re supporting Oklahoma’s economy and helping keep good jobs in our state,” said Richard Wasson, executive director of the MIO (Made in Oklahoma) Coalition. “I’m proud of what we’ve done.” “Ten years ago a few Oklahoma companies got together to discuss expanding the marketing of their products,” says Sharra Martin, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture marketing development coordinator. Companies rooted deeply in Oklahoma, like Shawnee Milling and Griffins Food, came to Oklahoma City to meet. She said the handful of representatives was looking for more sales opportunities. “They decided they should do more to market Oklahoma products in Oklahoma.” The MIO Coalition was born on that day in March 2000. The coalition now represents more than 30 Oklahoma food manufacturers that employ 20,000 Oklahomans statewide. Its mission is to promote brand awareness and consumer loyalty for Oklahoma food products and to increase sales and expand the state’s food processing sector. 8 • Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010

Sales exceed $3 billion The member companies represent more than 25 different towns and cities plus a wide variety of food products. And, the annual sale of MIO products is now in excess of $3 billion. “Research shows,” said Wasson, “that consumers want to buy made in Oklahoma products and support our local companies.” Oklahoma State University conducted an initial survey for the original six or seven members of the MIO Coalition about 10 years ago. It found that 85 percent would buy Oklahoma products. But when asked to name any Oklahoma products, just three percent of the respondents could. Martin said the most recent survey asked the same questions. It found 90 percent would buy Oklahoma products. And when asked to name Oklahoma products, 20 percent of the respondents could. “Our marketing effort has done a tremendous job,” said Wasson. “We promote Oklahoma brands and consumer loyalty of Oklahoma food products. It’s our job to ensure they (consumers) are aware of who those companies are and the products they make.” “More people know about MIO,” said Martin. “Our whole goal is to get people recognizing their products.” Membership in the coalition is exclusive to Oklahoma food producers, processors and manufacturers who process, produce and or distribute a portion of their products in Oklahoma.

Orchid’s Paper Company in Pryor manufactures the familiar MIO Paper Towels seen in stores across the state. In the last year, the MIO Coalition has donated more than $36,000 from sales of the towels to the Food 4 Kids program. That program operates in all 77 counties, providing backpacks filled with non-perishable food items each Friday to more than 10,000 school children who otherwise would go without food on the weekends. The donation to the Food 4 Kids program is just one of the outreach programs the MIO Coalition supports.

Opposite bottom: The Made In Oklahoma Coalition’s logo is becoming more familiar to shoppers in the state. When the coalition formed about 10 years ago, a survey found that just 3 percent of shoppers could name an Oklahoma product or company. A recent survey found that 20 percent can name an Oklahoma product and 90 percent of those said they would buy Oklahoma products.

Opposite top: Nearly everything you need to fill your grocery cart is available courtesy of the 30-plus members of the Made In Oklahoma Coalition. Some 20,000 Oklahomans across the state are employed by the member companies. The annual sale of MIO products is now more than $3 billion. Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010 • 9

Public-private partnership Martin said coalition members also must actively market their food products to grocers and food service establishments in the state. Coalition members pay minimal annual dues and the state legislature also appropriates funds. The MIO Coalition is a public-public partnership, and for every state dollar spent approximately one dollar of private money is spent on marketing MIO products. The funding is used for advertising, marketing services and media relations to assist all coalition members. It also has allowed MIO to set up booths at shows and fairs, giving people the opportunity to see firsthand the Oklahoma companies and the products they produce. Martin said the coalition has two major promotional events annually. One is held in October and the second is held in April. While this month is almost at an end, there are still a few days remaining in April’s official Made In Oklahoma Month campaign. The campaign is supported by retail ads, point-of-sale materials, radio ads and other efforts to ensure that MIO is the preferred choice of Oklahomans. The campaign encourages Oklahomans to buy local products, but also has challenged consumers to help push the sales of MIO paper towels to one million rolls by the end of the month. Food 4 Kids A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the now-familiar MIO paper towels, manufactured by Orchids Paper Company in Pryor, benefits the Food 4 Kids backpack program at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. Food 4 Kids began after the Regional Food Bank heard firsthand of a student passing out at school on Monday due to lack of food over the weekend. In just a little more than a year, the coalition has raised in excess of $36,000 from the sale of nearly 350,000 two-roll packages of the towels to support the program. Each week, the Food 4 Kids program distributes more than 10,000 backpacks of non-perishable food to chronically hungry school children in all 77 counties. “The funding provided by the MIO paper towels is essential to the success of our Food 4 Kids program,” said Rodney Bivens, executive director of Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. “We are very grateful to the coalition for the thousands of dollars they’ve provided to support the food bank.” One in five Oklahoma children are at risk of going to bed hungry each night, according to the Food Banks. That’s why the MIO Coalition decided to become a part of the Food 4 Kids program. “Food 4 Kids is changing the lives of Oklahoma’s hungry children and their families every day,” said Martin. “For many of the children, it is all they have to eat over the weekend.” “We are proud to be a Made In Oklahoma Coalition member,” said David Brooks, regional sales manager with Shawnee Milling Company. “Not only do they support the food banks with the sale of paper towels. . .but they support the state by encouraging people to buy local products and invest in Oklahoma.” 10 • Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010

Shawnee Milling Shawnee Milling is one of the original members of the MIO Coalition. The company began operations in 1906 under the leadership of founder J.L. Ford. It is operated today by the third generation of the Ford family, producing flour, corn meal, and custom baking mixes. Modern-day additions include a complete line of rations for livestock plus pet foods. Brooks said the coalition’s benefit to Shawnee Milling has “been huge. The awareness it’s created with consumers is the biggest attribute. “Consumers are seeing Shawnee Mills in more ads along with other MIO members. That has brought a lot of customers back. . .and allowed us to lower prices.” Brooks said each one percent rise in the number of people aware of MIO products means more than 30,000 additional customers for Oklahoma products. “We’re seeing it in our sales. Despite the poor economy, most MIO members report business has grown.” Shawnee Milling produces one million pounds of food products plus another million pounds of livestock and pet foods daily at its facilities in Shawnee. “We (the coalition) will continue to grow. We will continue to do well and take market share from other companies. There are,” said Brooks, “just a couple of big companies in Oklahoma who aren’t members, and I think we’ll get them soon.”

Shawnee Milling Company, headquartered in Shawnee, traces its roots to 1906 and founder J.L. Ford. The company is operated today by the third generation of the Ford family. The food division produces old standbys like flour and corn meal, which have been seen in Oklahoma stores for decades. Mixes for biscuits, pancakes, cornbread and gravy were added to the list of products over the years, with the newest being a pizza dough mix. The company also produces a variety of feeds for livestock and pets in an automated, state-of-the-art animal feed milling operation.

Griffin Food Company was founded in 1908 by John T. Griffin, and is headed today by his grandson, John W. Griffin. The manufacturing plant is located in Muskogee and produces Oklahoma favorites like syrup, mustard and strawberry preserves that have been the company’s standard bearers on grocery shelves for more than 100 years.

Griffin Foods Griffin Foods, headquartered in Muskogee, is another of the original MIO Coalition members. The company was founded in 1908 by John T. Griffin, and his grandson leads the company today. “It (the MIO Coalition) has been very, very beneficial to us,” said D.C. Smith, Griffin sales director. “It makes people aware that the companies are here.” Many shoppers will recognize the most familiar Griffin products – pancake syrup, strawberry preserves and mustard – on their local grocery shelves. Smith said the company’s membership in the MIO Coalition has “most definitely” been a boost to sales. “Our sales have gone up. We’ve seen jumps in every one of them. It is a big boost. It really is a benefit. “We’re not asking people to buy something that is not good. But, if it’s just as good and made in Oklahoma, we’re getting you to support our state with some pretty good products. “We (Griffins and other MIO Coalition members) do have some good products,” said Smith. “We’re lucky in that we have some top items that are made in Oklahoma.” J.C. Potter Sausage is another company that was on hand when MIO was organized. The Durant company traces its roots to the 1940s, when J.C. Potter made whole hog sausage and sold it doorto-door to neighbors. The popularity of the sausage quickly saw it go store-to-store. By 1962, the company completed a 30,000 square foot processing facility near Durant and it built a 100,000 square foot addition in 1989. “Made In Oklahoma is very effective,” said Win Moran of J.C. Potter. “It’s very impressive for people to know.” In its 60-plus years of existence J.C. Potter has become one of the largest regionally owned sausage companies in the United States. Breakfast and dinner sausages plus packaged sausage biscuits are produced today at the Durant facility.

Chef’s Requested Chef’s Requested Foods might not be a readily recognizable label for most Oklahomans, but the multi-million-dollar firm is entrenched in Stockyards City, just south and west of downtown Oklahoma City, and has been in the heart of beef country since 1979. It is a processor of premium quality, value added meat products including ready-to-cook steaks, bacon-wrapped filets, and chicken breast filets and tenders. Its bacon-wrapped chopped steaks and chicken filets carry large stylized Steak-a-Licious by Chef’s Requested labels while the fresh filets and steaks have smaller Chef’s Requested logos. A newly introduced precision portioned, 100-calorie flat iron steak also is securing its spot in the company’s product line. “We struggle to have name recognition because value-added steak products are more of a niche product,” said company spokesman Gary Whetstone. “By promoting Oklahoma products, it’s really a good program for all of Oklahoma,” he continued. “The economic impact is substantial.” Chef’s Requested markets to retailers, food service distributors and some restaurants, with annual sales in the $40 million range. Whetstone said its products can be found in Oklahoma supermarkets like Homeland and Reasor’s, which are official MIO Retailers. Oklahoma City’s Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, an MIO Restaurant, also uses Chef’s Requested products. Much of the beef the company uses also had its origin on Oklahoma farms and ranches. “MIO is good for Oklahoma,” declared Whetstone. “The coalition acts as a group, and you’re united together. One stick is easily broken, but a handful is much harder.”

Chef’s Requested Foods is located in Stockyards City, home of the world’s largest stocker and feeder cattle market. It began as a local meat purveyor in Oklahoma in 1979. It’s ready-to-cook steaks, bacon wrapped filets, chicken breast filets and tenders and new Flat Iron Grill 100-calorie steaks can be found in neighborhood grocery stores, supermarkets, and even on the menu at restaurants.

J.C. Potters Sausage opened in the 1940s in Durant with door-to-door delivery. In 60 years, the company has become one of the largest regionally owned sausage companies in the U.S. Breakfast and dinner sausages along with packaged sausage biscuits are the featured products.

Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010 • 11

Braum’s is Oklahoma One of the most recognizable MIO Coalition members is Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy Stores, a family owned and operated chain of fast foodrestaurants/ice cream parlors and grocery stores headquartered in Oklahoma City. “We produce and sell to the extent that everything with Braum’s is Oklahoma, and that is a big plus for Oklahoma,” said Terry Holden, a company executive. “We’re right out of the heart of Oklahoma.” Braum’s opened its first 24 stores in Oklahoma in 1968. Today there are more than 280 Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy Stores throughout Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Missouri and Arkansas. The stores serve ice cream, burgers, sandwiches, salads and breakfast items. Stores also include a grocery section featuring dairy products, baked goods, beverages, frozen entrees, meats and produce. “Made in Oklahoma. For us, it’s saying that we live here. That’s important,” said Holden. “That’s a confirmation of buying Oklahoma products.” Braum’s is working to get the official MIO emblem on the entry doors of all its state restaurants. That should substantially help improve the public’s recognition of the program. “We don’t have any dairy products coming from outside,” said Holden. The company owns all its own cows – milking 10,000 Holsteins three times a day, 24 hours a day, seven days a week at its flagship dairy farm in Tuttle. The milking complex in Tuttle consists of 17 freestall barns covering more than 35 acres that house the milking herd and milking parlor. It is one of the largest of its kind in the world. Holden said Braum’s is the only major ice cream maker in the country that milks its own cows. The Oklahoma company is unique in the dairy business because it’s vertically integrated. It owns the dairy herd, farms and ranches, processing plant, retail stores and delivery trucks. The company also has its own bakery in Oklahoma City, where cookies, cones, buns, bread and much more are produced. Almost all the food products sold by Braum’s are processed or manufactured directly by the Oklahoma company. “Our first concern is having a good product,” said Holden. “Our customers dictate the products we carry, and when possible we try to have the products other than dairy be Oklahoma products.”

Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy Stores opened in Oklahoma in 1968, with 24 stores established the first year of operation. The family-owned and operated company milks 10,000 cows daily at its Tuttle dairy farm, which is the largest of its kind in the world. Braum’s is the only major ice cream maker in the country that milks its own cows. Fresh meat and produce along with bakery products produced at the company’s Oklahoma City bakery compliment the dairy products along with popular foods from the grill like burgers. Today there are more than 280 Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy Stores throughout Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Missouri and Arkansas. 12 • Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010

Head Country Head Country Food Products is another MIO member most Oklahomans should readily recognize. The Ponca City-based company is family owned and operated, tracing its roots to “Uncle Bud” Head, who was a cook on a naval destroyer during World War II. After he was discharged, From a simple ranch stove beginning in Head Country Bar-B-Q sauce is he began tinkering with the barbecue 1945, the number one seller in Oklahoma. The sauce recipe he used in the Navy, and Ponca City company is family-owned, eventually began selling the sauce in and produces several varieties of barbecue sauce, barbecue seasonings, local feed stores. marinades and a salsa. A nephew bought the barbecue sauce recipe in 1977, and set up a manufacturing plant in an old WWII Royal Air Force training barracks near the Ponca City airport. The company moved into a new facility in 1995, and has since doubled the facility’s size with three additions. “People are very supportive of wanting to help Oklahoma companies when they know they’re from Oklahoma,” said C.R. Head. “We know it (MIO Coalition membership) has benefited our sales and is increasing them,” he continued. Head said belonging to the coalition is a benefit to all the members. “The advantage of it is we all learn together and find out about Oklahoma. Now, everything I eat I pick up and see where it’s made.” While Head Country is most well known for its barbecue sauce, the company also makes seasonings, marinades and salsa. “We’re the number one barbecue sauce seller in Oklahoma. No one else,” said Head, “comes close.” Field’s Pies Field’s Pies has been a member of the coalition about eight years. The Pauls Valley company is a third-generation family owned business, tracing its roots to 1925 in a local restaurant where a grandmother baked pies everyday for customers with a sweet tooth. Like that early day restaurant, the company still specializes in pecan pies. Pecan pies make up about 85 percent of its total sales, with German chocolate, lemon chess and pumpkin pies accounting for the remainder of sales. “If consumers have a choice,” says Chris Field, “they’ll buy an in-state product if the quality is there.” For Field’s Pies the quality certainly must be there. The company makes about 2 million pies each year. The 8,000 pies made during Field’s Pies in Pauls Valley is noted for its pecan pies, each eight-hour shift which are still made from a recipe dating to 1925 from the kitchen of Hazel Field, the wife of one of the founders. Her are fully cooked and then frozen. Consumers grandchildren, Chris Field and Jenny Wallace, are the third generation of the family to operate the company. Pecan just select their favorite pies make up 85 percent of their sales, with other pies like from the grocery German chocolate, lemon chess and pumpkin making up freezer, thaw and serve. the balance of their sales. “In the last two years, our sales have gone up 40 percent. It’s not all due to MIO,” said Field, “but Oklahoma and Texas are our two biggest markets.”