The 2023 Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts State Meeting includes more breaks for networking, watershed training, and special sessions for new employees and new directors. In addition, the meeting will provide information about ecosystems crediting markets, climate smart agriculture, and the vast amount of federal funding that is on the horizon for conservation. Additional topics include direct marketing of products, diversifying your operation to include agritourism and increase financial resiliency, and what exactly it is that large corporations are looking for from commodity producers in the upcoming year. As always, there are also networking opportunities with local, state, and national leaders in conservation.
For more information or to register, visit the meeting website, or contact Sarah Blaney by email or phone (517-763-8609).
The ninth annual Oklahoma Local Agriculture Summit focuses on increasing the availability of local food in Oklahoma communities and strengthening farmers markets and agritourism sites through education and networking opportunities.
The conference is facilitated by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, ONIE Project, Langston University, and key stakeholders from agricultural, community, and public health agencies. The farm bus tour will take place on Monday, Feb. 27. Two in-depth workshops will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 28, including hands-on marketing training and a workshop sharing best farm practices. The full summit with more than 20 breakout sessions is scheduled for Wednesday, March 1 followed by the agritourism rolling workshop bus tour on Thursday, March 2.
Most of the events associated with the summit are free to attend; however, registration is required for each event.
The conference has five tracks addressing topics of special interest to farmers market managers, growers, agritourism producers, Christmas tree growers, and community support organizations. Topics will include accepting SNAP/EBT, growing practices, marketing to consumers, and more. A meal on March 1 will be provided to all registrants.
For more information or to register, visit the event website, or contact the Oklahoma Local Agriculture Collaborative (OLAC) by email or phone (405-271-2091).
The Cow/Calf Boot Camp is designed for both new and experienced cattle producers who are serious about increasing their level of management and their bottom line.
As much cow knowledge as possible is packed into the three day agenda covering all aspects of cow-calf production. Come prepared to work hard, learn a lot, and make new friends.
To be the first to know when registration is opened for the next camp, place your name on the waiting list.
For more information, visit the Cow/Calf Boot Camp webpage, or contact Brian Freking by email or phone (580-332-7011).
Join the Eastside Fresh Market’s season opening, with produce, crafts, food, and entertainment for the whole family.
The Eastside Fresh Market serves as a food access hub for Northeast Oklahoma City and creates new market opportunities for NE OKC farmers and other Oklahoma City area food producers.
For more information, visit the market webpage, or contact Brandi Buys by email or phone (405-713-1125).
Celebrate Earth Day by joining this “Earth Kind” workshop at Will Rogers Gardens to learn about natural gardening practices, composting, attracting pollinators, choosing native plants for your landscape, and lots of giveaways. Lunch provided.
Presented by Joshua Campbell, Urban Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, and Julia Laughlin, Horticulture Educator.
For more information or to register, visit the event webpage, or contact the Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation department by email or phone (405-297-1392).
The Oklahoma City Living Classroom Grant Program seeks to increase habitat for monarchs and other pollinators by providing grants to Oklahoma City metro area schools to create monarch gardens. The gardens will include monarch host plants (milkweed) and nectar plants to provide a food source for monarchs along a vital part of their migration pathway.
Selected schools will receive:
– Two professional development opportunities for teachers in July and August 2022
– Awards of up to $1500 each to purchase garden supplies
– National Wildlife Federation’s Monarch Heroes Curriculum
Public, private, and charter K-12 schools in the Oklahoma City metro area are eligible to apply. This includes schools in the following areas Oklahoma City, Edmond, Yukon, Mustang, Moore, Midwest City, Del City, Norman, Bethany, Piedmont, Deer Creek, Choctaw, and Warr Acres.
Applications are due by 5 P.M. on April 30, 2023.
For more information or to apply, visit the program webpage, or contact the Oklahoma City Zoo by email or phone (405-425-0218).
Shop a curated selection of plants that support pollinators and ecosystems of our region at the Philbrook Museum of Art annual native plant sale. Bring containers for taking your plants home.
For more information, visit the event webpage, or contact the Philbrook Museum of Art by email or phone (918-748-5300).
Get ready to add a little more color and life into your home with the free Oklahoma City Flower & Garden Festival! Attendees will be able to explore breathtaking botanicals like flowers, herbs and succulents while browsing unique jewelry pieces as well as jewelry, garden art, crafts.
For more information, visit the event webpage, or contact Myriad Botanical Gardens by email or phone (405-445-7080).
The Oklahoma Pecan Growers Association Annual Convention & Trade Show is a 3-day conference designed for the pecan industry in Oklahoma and surrounding areas.
For more information or to register, visit the event webpage, or contact the Oklahoma Pecan Growers Association by email or phone (580-279-0357).
The OSU Cattlewomen’s Boot Camp is a project that combines elements of two successful programs, Annie’s Project and the Oklahoma Livestock Boot Camps. Using previous agendas from the boot camps and the teaching model of Annie’s Project, the program intends to create an informative and engaging learning experience for female producers covering various methods on how to manage the production, financial, and market risks when operating a beef cow/calf operation.
This program will be a three-day workshop that will combine traditional educational programming with hands-on demonstration and activities and classroom exercises. Topics that will be covered include but are not limited to:
- Cattle Evaluation
- Calf Management
- Herd Nutrition
- Hay Evaluation
- Forage Production
- Marketing
- Production and Financial Records
- Farm Transitions
- General Management Practices
- Farm Business Planning
- Herd Health and Vaccinations
- Facility Management and Selection
- Reproduction Management
- Calving Management
Partners
This program will partner with the Southern Extension Risk Management Education, Oklahoma Cattlewomen’s Association, Oklahoma Women in Agriculture, and Oklahoma Women Veterans Program.
For more information or to register, visit the event webpage, or contact JJ Jones by email or phone (580-332-7011).
