The ODAFF garden produce takes on grocery store produce

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. If that’s true, the pictures of these vegetables picked fresh from the garden in front of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry have a lot to say. Here we’ve shown our fresh-picked produce as compared to the same vegetables from a major chain grocery store. These photos are only an indicator of the quality you get from fresh, locally grown Oklahoma produce. We encourage you to try some for yourself.

ODAFF Garden Continues to Produce

Oklahoma gardens can keep on growing fresh vegetables even in colder weather. The garden rows planted in front of the Deptarment of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry building in OKC are providing fresh turnips, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. Stop by our garden and pull up a radish or two!

Unusual Gift Grows Trees

If you’re looking for a gift that has the power to change lives, Oklahoma Forestry Services has just the thing. A state license plate featuring a beautiful redbud tree is a fun and unusual way to give a meaningful gift that keeps on giving after all the holiday celebrations are over.

These urban forestry license plates are as practical as they are decorative. Each license plate provides a $25 donation to plant trees on Oklahoma school playgrounds and parks. The trees are carefully selected by professional foresters to add beauty and shade to areas where children play. And best of all, the gift of a tree keeps on giving for a lifetime.

“All the money goes to planting trees,” said Mark Bays, Urban Forestry Coordinator. He said $14,000 has been raised from the license plates in the last five years. He even supported the project by giving his wife a forestry license plate for a Christmas gift as soon as they were available. Her car now sports one of the first tags sold and she lowers her carbon footprint at the same time.

            Giving trees creates an outdoor learning laboratory while the trees shade tender skin from the sun’s harmful rays. The Shade Trees on Playgrounds (STOP) program was initiated by The Tree Bank Foundation to help fight skin cancer. A generous donation from Chesapeake combined with funds from the special license plates allowed Ardmore, Yukon, Thunderbird State Park and several schools to plant large caliper shade trees in the project’s first year.

            Keep Oklahoma Beautiful recognized Oklahoma Forestry Services, the Tree Bank Foundation and Chesapeake with a special Team Builders Award at this year’s annual Environmental Excellence Celebration. The project was honored for its unique nature and using teamwork to reach its goals.

            Future plans include more schools and communities where shade is desperately needed. The trees have a huge impact in local neighborhoods and help instill a sense of pride and belonging.

            The license plates are available for $38 from the Oklahoma Tax Commission. Complete details are online at www.tax.ok.gov/plates/sp156.html.

            Oklahoma Forestry Services is a division of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.

Agricultural Grant and Loan Applications Due Jan. 3

Vicki Stamback has been growing cut flowers for local florists for 18 years. Her Bear Creek Farms operation has expanded from two greenhouses to six greenhouses and five shade houses. She grows 150 different varieties of flowers that bloom at different times of the year. Still, the Payne County entrepreneur knew there was something missing in her business plan. She needed a fresh product to sell in the winter months.

A $5,000 grant from the Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture, Food and Forestry helped her fill the gap by planting 900 flowering shrubs last summer. In two or three years, she will be able to harvest stems that retail florists crave for seasonal arrangements. Woody plant materials command higher prices than Bear Creek’s other crops and are freshest when purchased locally.

The Agricultural Enhancement and Diversification Program (AEDP) funds awarded to Stamback helped her purchase the plant material for her expansion plan. She matched the grant funds with a new water meter, backflow preventer, pipe and dripline irrigation system. Best of all, she expects the project to pay for itself quickly. It has already created another full-time job with the possibility of more help being needed in the future. The Farm Diversification Grant made it possible for the business to add a large number of trees and shrubs and get water to those plants for the future diversification of Bear Creek Farms.

AEDP funds help qualified agriculture-related projects across the state with 0% interest loans and grants. The program goals are expanding the state’s value-added sector and farm diversification. There are four types of funding sources available including farm diversification grants, marketing and utilization loans, cooperative marketing loans, and basic and applied research loans/grants. The application process is fairly simple and applications are accepted quarterly. The next deadline is Jan. 3.

AEDP funds are intended to produce agriculture-related products and create rural economic development. Applicants must be 21 years of age and must reside in and be legal residents of Oklahoma. The application form and additional information can be found at http://www.ag.ok.gov/mktdev-loans.htm

Program coordinators Gary Bledsoe and Jason Harvey are available to assist in the completion and review of applications prior to submission. Call Jason Harvey at 405-522-5563 or Gary Bledsoe at 405-830-1341. The Agricultural Enhancement and Diversification Program is administered by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.

Christmas Tree Care

Many families have made that annual trek into the woods, the tree farm or favorite retail store to select that perfect tree for the holidays. Now how do you avoid a Griswold Christmas disaster where the crispy, dry tree ignites it into a fireball? Here are some tips to keep your tree green and beautiful through the holiday:

Stand and Water—After hefting the tree off the roof of the car, make a fresh cut trimming an inch or so off the base and immediately place in a bucket of water or your perfectly sized tree stand. Make sure the stand is big enough to handle the trunk without whittling the base—the outer layers are important for water absorption.

Thirsty Trees—Fresh cut trees can drink up to a gallon of water per day. Levels should be checked frequently to keep water above the base of the trunk. It only takes about 30 seconds to add a little water each day to keep your thirsty tree happy.

Keep it Cool—Place your tree away from fireplaces, heat vents and sunlight and keep room temperature cool. The lights you place on the tree are another source of heat so consider using miniature lights which put out less heat.

Electrical Overload—Overloaded power outlets and faulty wires are the most common cause of fires during the holidays. Take a little extra care to check your lights and wires before lighting up your tree.

Pinch Test—Wonder if your tree is still fresh? Just pinch a few needles bend a branch and if it snaps easily or drops lots of needles it may be time to remove it from your house.

The ‘Gift’ That Keeps on Giving—Once your tree is removed from your house consider the many ways it can keep on giving: mulch for park trails, compost, improve fishing habitat in a lake or pond or as backyard habitat for birds by decorating it with peanut butter and bird seed pine cones.

“We know many Oklahomans are going green this year as they visit family-owned Christmas tree farms,” said George Geissler, Oklahoma State Forester. “These tips will help us care for those beautiful trees by taking a few steps to keep them fresh and safe.”

For more information on where you can purchase an Oklahoma-grown Christmas tree or how to properly care for your tree once you get it home, go the Oklahoma Forestry Services website (www.forestry.ok.gov/christmas-trees) or contact the Oklahoma Christmas Tree Association at 405- 826-5919.

Governor Fallin’s and Secretary Reese’s letter to US Dept. of Labor

December 1, 2011

 

 

The Honorable Hilda L. Solis

Secretary, U.S. Department of Labor

200 Constitution Ave., NW

Washington, DC 20210

 

Dear Secretary Solis:

 

We are writing in regards to the proposed Child Labor Regulations published at 76 Fed. Reg. 54836, September 2, 2011 from your Department relating to labor laws for young people in agriculture.  In an era of sedentary lifestyles, i.e.; computers, video games, all access TV and poor eating habits in the United States, this policy to restrain and/or limit on-farm employment of young people is very misguided. The youth of America would benefit greatly from working on the farm, in the open air, learning about animals, crops, and wildlife.  Hauling hay, riding horses, sorting cattle and driving tractors have been a learning foundation for many of our nation’s most successful citizens.  Any policy that would hinder the opportunities of young Americans to experience life in our agricultural communities is misguided indeed.  Our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles are much more able to determine and teach farm safety to our youth than government officials in Washington DC.  Farm safety classes are available in communities all across our state.

 

The youth of America are facing many challenges today.  We believe working outside, in agriculture, on a farm could be the best remedy for this generation.  Safety is imperative to every Oklahoma farmer and their families.  Agricultural youth are required to complete all of their farming responsibilities and chores while still competing in school activities and achieving academic excellence.  One of the very reasons for working on the farm is to learn the life skills of competition, commitment, dedication, and achievement.  We respectfully ask that you reconsider these proposed rules.  We also urge you, when there is an opportunity to hire additional staff; to hire a farm raised, common sense, young person and see just how dedicated and competitive they are.

 

The proposed regulations claim that they will “in no way compromise the statutory child labor parental exemption involving children working on farms owned or operated by their parents.” However, farms are also a great tool and educator for many urban youth or “town kids” that work summers on a friend’s farm.  Many family farms have a corporate structure or become a Limited Liability Corporation to adhere to best business practices; yet they are entirely family inclusive.  There are just too many exceptions needed to make this rule.

 

 

Page Two

Hilda L. Solis

November 30, 2011

 

 

We need more young farmers in Oklahoma, not less.  We need more young people to know where their food comes from, not less.  We need more young people outside, exercising, working, and earning rather than discouraging this practice.  The federal government should not construct further employment barriers at a time when there are fewer job opportunities available for young people.

 

There are already necessary and proper laws in place to ensure agricultural youth workers are protected.  We have many avenues that we currently use to promote youth safety including Cooperative Extension and Vocational Agricultural Education.  Agricultural experiences are not identical from state to state.  These avenues would allow each state to address the risks and conditions in their state. Our recommendation for these rules is to immediately withdraw and abandon this proposal. 

 

Sincerely,                                            

 

 

 

 

Mary Fallin                                                                                                                                        

Governor of Oklahoma                                           

Jim Reese

Secretary of Agriculture

 

cc:  Senator James Inhofe

      Senator Tom Coburn

      Congressman John Sullivan

      Congressman Dan Boren

      Congressman Frank Lucas

      Congressman Tom Cole

      Congressman James Lankford

      The Honorable Tom Vilsack

 

 

Southern United States Trade Association Hosting Fall Meeting in OKC

The Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) is hosting its state fall meeting in Oklahoma City running through Friday, December 2, 2011.  SUSTA is a non-profit agricultural export trade development association comprised of the Departments of Agriculture of the 15 southern states and theCommonwealthofPuerto Rico. Since 1973, SUSTA programs and services have assisted exporters of high-value food and agricultural products.

 

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture has worked in cooperation with SUSTA for many years to assistOklahomaproducers in gaining access to foreign markets. These companies include Head Country,Griffin’s, Clements Foods, VAP and Pepper Creek Farms.Barbara CharletandHaidar Haidarywith the International Division of Market Development at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry work with theseOklahomacompanies and foreign buyers on a routine basis. The coordinators specialize in assisting both buyers and sellers with information and technical advice when conducting foreign trade. Charlet and Haidary assist state companies with overcoming trade barriers such as cultural and language differences, governmental trade restrictions and financial limitations.

 

One way thatOklahomaproducers can expand their opportunities is through the Market Access Program (MAP) Branded. The Branded program is designed to help small agriculture companies enter export markets with 50% reimbursement for promotional costs like advertising, exhibiting at trade shows, and changes to packaging and labels. Several companies are already tapping into these resources for 2012 and look forward to growing their businesses.

 

The purpose of the SUSTA fall meeting is to hear the latest market research from SUSTA’s four in-country consultants fromChina, the European Union,CanadaandIndia.  The discussions will also focus on how partners can encourage more company participation in SUSTA projects; learn about the latest trends in agriculture export trade and how exports are directly impacting sales.