Giving Oklahoma agriculture a helping hand! That's what the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture's Market Development
division is all about. The basic premise of the division is that the best way to help our state's agricultural economy is to broaden
its outlets for agricultural commodities and assist producers, processors, wholesalers, and retailers in marketing these products.
Lt. Governor Jari Askins today inducted the late Paul Hitch, Guymon livestock producer, farmer and agribusiness leader into the Oklahoma Agriculture Hall of Fame and presented his family with the Governor’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Agriculture.
Hitch was a fourth generation Oklahoma agriculturist in Texas County. His great grandfather, James K. Hitch drove cattle from Missouri to the area near present day Guymon. Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, Terry Peach, said that cattle drive was the beginning of one of the state’s largest agricultural legacies.
“The Hitch family has always been pioneers in terms of recognizing opportunity, having the vision to capitalize on it and the courage to embrace new technologies and ideas in agriculture,” he said. “People such as Paul and his family are one of the reasons Texas County is the number-one agricultural county in Oklahoma and is always one of the top 10 agricultural counties in the nation.”
Hitch was nominated for the award by the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and the Oklahoma Pork Council. He passed away last month after a lengthy battle with cancer.
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For More Information Contact: Jack Carson (405) 522-4575
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND FORESTRY
2800 N. Lincoln, Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105
April 2008
Sue Kirk, first-grade teacher at the Wayland Bonds Elementary School in the Moore public school system, has been named 2008 Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year.
The AITC program provides core curriculum material that incorporates agricultural information in studies such as math, science, language arts, reading and social studies. Jamey Allen, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry coordinator for the program said Kirk uses agricultural themes in her class as well as the usual core curriculum.
“When the students walk in to the classroom they are greeted by a big, red barn and a rooster puppet that crows to greet them to a new school day,” she said. “Mrs. Kirk is one of the most dynamic and personable teachers in the state and we are thrilled to have her working with us in the Ag in the Classroom program.”
Kirk was recognized at the State Capitol during the Oklahoma Agriculture Day celebration and receives a $500 honorarium provided by Dosia Jackson in memory of Paul Jackson. The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Women’s organization will provide airfare for Kirk to attend the National Ag in the Classroom Conference in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom program is a joint project of the ODAFF, Oklahoma Department of Education, and the Oklahoma State Cooperative Extension Service.
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For More Information Contact: Jack Carson (405) 522-4575
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND FORESTRY
2800 N. Lincoln, Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105
April 2008
The Made In Oklahoma (MIO) coalition is accepting entries to its third annual Recipe Roundup Contest. Seven finalists will be chosen and the ultimate winner will receive a $7000 KitchenAid ™ appliance makeover.
“Oklahomans are some of the most creative cooks in the world and we’re really excited to see what this year’s entrants come up with for the contest,” said Jana Cunningham, marketing coordinator with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry. “With the variety of MIO products available, the possibilities are tremendous.”
Category specifications for the contest include “Mouth Watering Main Entrees,” “Dig in Desserts” and “Kid’s Cuisine.” A panel of celebrity media judges will select the grand prizewinner.
Rules for the contest are simple: Ingredients and specific preparation directions must be included in the order they are used in preparing the dish. The recipe and ingredient list (including at least two MIO company products) must be clearly legible and include the contestant’s name, address, phone number, email address if available, recipe name, and category.
Entry forms, contest rules and a complete list of MIO companies are available online at www.miocoalition.com or send self addressed stamped envelope to: MIO Coalition Recipe Roundup 2008, PO Box 18451, Oklahoma City, OK 73154. Entries must be received or postmarked by May 9.
In addition to the kitchen makeover grand prize, runner up prizes yet to be determined will also be awarded.
Last year’s grand prizewinner was Mike Kampschaefer of Edmond.
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For More Information Contact: Jack Carson (405) 522-4575
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND FORESTRY
2800 N. Lincoln, Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105
March 2008
Grant and loan application deadline for the next Oklahoma Agricultural Enhancement and Diversification program is April 1. State agriculture officials are urging all producers with innovative ideas to apply.
Agricultural diversification grants of up to $5,000 are available as well as interest-free loans in three categories: Cooperative Marketing Loans, Marketing and Utilization Loans, and Basic and Applied Research Loans.
Loans may not be used to purchase land, buildings or equipment. Eligible expenses include feasibility studies, business plans, legal expenses, consultant fees, product development and marketing.
Producers interested in either diversifying their current operations or entering some form of value-added or marketing venture are eligible. Producers or producer groups interested in pursuing forms of value-added enterprises or marketing cooperatives are also urged to apply.
Among other things, OAED loans and grants have been used in the development of a variety of agritourism ventures, biofuel projects and food processing businesses.
Applications are available online from the ODAFF at www.oda.state.ok.us by clicking the “Loans” link. For more information contact Harvey at (405) 522-5563. The mailing address is Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, 2800 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105.
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For More Information Contact: Jack Carson (405) 522-4575
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND FORESTRY
2800 N. Lincoln, Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105
February 2008
Nominations are being accepted for this year’s recipient of the Governor’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Agriculture. The person selected will become the 2008 inductee into the Oklahoma Agricultural Hall of Fame.
Nominations will be accepted until close of business February 26.
The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry distributes nomination forms and accepts the completed applications. An independent selection committee comprised of leaders from various agricultural organizations chooses each year’s inductee.
Nomination forms are available from the ODAFF by calling Jason Harvey, (405) 522-5563, at the agency web page at www.oda.state.ok.us, or by writing Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, Ag Hall of Fame, 2800 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105.
Any living person who derives the bulk of their income, or has retired from an agricultural enterprise, is eligible for nomination. Candidates for consideration are agricultural leaders who have exemplified personal values, dedication to community service, excelled in production and performance and who have provided a strong role model for the state’s youth.
“This annual opportunity to recognize and honor an Oklahoma agricultural producer is one of the highlights of the year for us at the department of agriculture,” said Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, Terry Peach. “Reviewing the accomplishments and stories of past inductees into this Hall of Fame is inspiring.”
Last year’s inductee into the Oklahoma Agriculture Hall of Fame was L.E. Castle, Jet, OK producer and retired vocational agriculture teacher.
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For More Information Contact: Jack Carson (405) 522-4575
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND FORESTRY
2800 N. Lincoln, Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105
January 2008
