Although funds are provided through USDA, all states are charged with administering and submitting grant proposals. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry’s Market Development Division is administering the state’s program.

“We’re really excited about the possibilities this grant program can provide to not only enhance our specialty crop industries but to promote better nutrition and health as well,” said Secretary of Agriculture, Terry Peach. “Our plasticulture program, farmers market promotions and the Farm to School program are all examples of how specialty crops benefit our state and this is a great opportunity to expand in this area.”

There are extensive guidelines regarding what can and cannot be funded through the program. Complete rules and the application form are available on the ODAFF website at these addresses: http://www.oda.state.ok.us/forms/mktdev/grantspecialtycropmanual.pdf and http://www.oda.state.ok.us/forms/mktdev/grantspecialtycrop.pdf.

The funding is intended for proposals that will improve nutrition, create opportunities solely for increased specialty crop production, processing or marketing venues.

Questions can also be directed to ODAFF Coordinator, Johnny Roberts at (405) 522-6194 or by email at johnny.roberts@oda.state.ok.us.

Applications must be submitted as both a hard copy and electronically.

Secretary of Agriculture, Terry Peach along with AITC coordinators Jamey Allen and Dana Bessinger presented Kirk with the news during a presentation at her school Friday. At the ceremony, Peach asked the students if they followed sports and received an enthusiastic positive response.

“Think of the NCAA basketball championship,” he told the group. “In the world of teaching Ag in the Classroom, Ms. Kirk is the national champion.”

The AITC program provides core curriculum material that incorporates agricultural information in studies such as math, science, language arts, reading and social studies. 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,” said Allen. “Sue is dynamic, exciting and one of the most personable teachers in the state and we are really proud to see her efforts recognized nationally.”

Kirk was recognized last year 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 provided 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

Bathurst was a founding member of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission when it began in 1965 and served as its chairman from 1968 to 1970. He has also been a member of the Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association since 1967 and served as chairman from 1972 to 1975.

Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, Terry Peach, said Bathurst represents the type of farmer and leader best deserving of the recognition.

“Mr. Bathurst and a handful of his peers had the vision nearly 50 years ago to see that agricultural marketing and promotion would be necessary to compete in a global economy,” he said. “The actions they took back in the mid 1960s set the stage to help make Oklahoma a leading exporter of wheat to markets such as Mexico and Cuba.”

Bathurst was also appointed to the U.S. Wheat Industry Council by two U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture and was selected by then U.S. Senator Don Nickles to serve on the Oklahoma Ag Advisory Committee. He was later selected by Governor Henry Bellman to serve on the Oklahoma Futures Advisory Committee.

The newly inducted Agricultural Hall of Famer offered the same advice to farmers and ranchers he said he received many years ago, don’t spend all of your time on a tractor.

“Spend part of your time in the political arena and get active about the issues,” Bathurst said. “I followed that advice and it was one of the best things I ever did.”

Bathurst is the twelfth inductee into the hall. The Oklahoma Agriculture Hall of Fame was created in 1998 to honor Oklahoma agriculturists who have distinguished themselves in the industry and as community and state leaders.

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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

“We are really excited about Mrs. Harmon receiving the award this year because she is such an enthusiastic young teacher,” said Dana Bessinger, AITC coordinator. “She’s the kind of teacher we like to have teaching kids about agriculture by incorporating it into their lesson plans.”

A parent of three sons, Harmon is also active in 4-H activities and has a good rapport with local agricultural producers and other parents, she adds. This has made it possible to bring some real hands-on agricultural activities to school.

One of her classes’ favorite activities involves shelling and then grinding locally grown corn into cornmeal, Harmon said. She brings in an antique corn sheller the students can use in the project.

“They enjoy feeling the corn, weighing it and seeing the soft, red corncobs after it is shelled,” she said. “Students are able to take home their cornmeal afterward and they just can’t wait to participate.”

She will receive a trip to the Ag in the Classroom National Convention in St. Louis, Missouri, and a $500 honorarium from long-time agriculture supporter, Dosia Jackson.

Harmon has helped with Ag in the Classroom curriculum development, attended workshops, and taught Ag in the Classroom to a California 4-H group as well as Farm Bureau Women and Young Farmers and Ranchers groups.

A graduate of Oklahoma State University, she has taught 9 years.

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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

A one day conference for growers who are already participating in the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry plasticulture program or who are interested in participating will be held in Oklahoma City February 7th at the Bricktown Hotel and Convention Center.

Chris Kirby, ODAFF Farm to School coordinator, said conference registration is limited to 150 registrants wanting to attend and will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.

“We can only provide materials and lunch for a relatively small number of people at this conference so I advise those interested to contact us immediately,” she said. “Information on every aspect from production to marketing, to growing with plasticulture and even food safety is going to be offered.

"Resource people from agriculture agencies, universities, foundations and extension offices will be on hand for growers to meet & learn about the excellent services they provide,” Kirby said.

The conference specifically targets limited resource farmers growing produce for the state farmer’s markets or for the Farm to School program with many using plasticulture technology. She said increased demand for local foods have also increased opportunities for small producers.

Registration is $15 per person or $25 per couple by January 30th. After that registration is $25 per person or $45 per couple. For registration call (405) 522-4330.

Those needing to stay overnight can call the Bricktown Hotel and Convention Center at (405) 235-1647 for reservations. A special rate is available for participants in the conference.

For more on the conference and the full agenda, go to www.agblog.ok.gov for more information.