2021 OKLAS Agenda
Monday, March 1st
VIRTUAL ONLY – Langston University Virtual Workshop: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
9 am: Opening Remarks (15 minutes) – Dean Wesley Whittaker
Session 1 – (30 minutes) – Tracey Payton-Miller
Title: Horticulture Facility, Horticulture Programming
Description: Introducing the new Horticulture Facility under construction and Horticulture Programming this year. Tips for preparing for pest prevention this coming growing season.
9: 50 am: Session 2 – (30 minutes) – Joshua Ringer
Title: Langston University Small Farms Extension and Outreach
Description: Explanation of tools, programming, and partnerships for new and beginning farmers, backyard gardeners, and food producers throughout the state.
10:25 am: Session 3 – (30 minutes – 5 minute Q&A and transition) – Micah Anderson
Title: Getting Started for the year & Vegetable Production Course in Boley, OK
Description: Selecting Seeds, preparing ground, and planning for a bountiful harvest.
11:00 am: Session 4 – (30 minutes) – James Arati & Joshua Davis
Title: Making best use of Heir Properties
Description: Resources and tools for making productive use of Heir properties.
11:35 am: Session 5 – (25 minutes) – Joshua Ringer & Jeremiah Wilson
Title: Opportunities for Students and Internships
Description: Ideas and opportunities for engaging students in your farming operation, community garden, or school.
IN-PERSON ONLY Using Canva for DIY Marketing Materials: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Are you ready to take your marketing to the next level? In this workshop you will learn the basic skills to create your own digital and print marketing materials using the free design program, Canva. From social media graphics, event fliers, brochures, display racks, business cards to anything in between, you will learn how to create effective and eye-catching marketing materials.
IN-PERSON ONLY Marketing: Next Steps 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
You have designed your marketing pieces, now what’s the next step? Learn how to develop a marketing plan and create marketing strategies to drive your business.
Tuesday, March 2nd
(Virtual & Limited In-Person Options for All Sessions)
8:45 AM – 9:50 AM: Welcome
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Morning Breakout Sessions
Agritourism – Hosting Events on the Farm :
Hosting events at your agritourism venue is a great way to bring back customers all year long. Maybe you want to do something outside of your normal season schedule, but you’re not sure how to get started. Join Becky & Kent Evatt of Red Bird Farm and Katy & Jesse Wells of Wells Family Christmas Tree Farm as they share their experiences on hosting events at their farm including markets, movie nights, and “how to” workshops.
Producers – Opportunities Beyond the Farmers Market:
Interested in selling your products in your own farm-to-table store? Or collaborating with other producers to sell your products in a farmers market hub? Mike and Amanda Wilson, Yarrowhead Farm Market, will be sharing how they transformed their business from selling to restaurants and at farmers markets to now owning their own farm market retail store in rural Oklahoma. Joe Tierney, Joe’s Farm, will be sharing how he has now transformed his business from wholesale to agritourism to a seasonal farmers market hub in Bixby, Okla.
Market Managers & Community Support Organizations –
Payment Options: Beyond Cash:
Cash might always be king but there are many other options that can help you serve more customers and increase producer profits. Also learn how to leverage food assistance programs such as SNAP, Double Up Oklahoma and tribal assistance programs.
Community Connections: You Don’t Have To Go It Alone:
Ever feel like you are stuck on a market island? Think there may be help out there you just don’t know where to look? Hear from fellow market managers who have learned to leverage community partnerships to make their market thrive.
1:30PM – 3:00PM Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Agritourism – Sprouting New Ideas for Your Agritourism Venue
In 1991, Buddy and Carolyn Raasch opened their farm to the public with the first pumpkin patch. The farm includes 60 acres of pumpkins, plus another 20 acres set aside for pumpkin entertainment and farm fun. Learn from Carolyn as she shares how her business has grown from selling fresh vegetable at the farmers market to a successful agritourism venue with a variety of national awards.
Grower & Producers Sustainable Practices in Local Ag
As local ag producers, we can contribute to sustainable stewardship of land, water and air. Learn from other Oklahoma producers about their efforts related to soil health, crop rotations, cover crops and other growing methods. You too can implement sustainable agricultural practices on your farm.
Market Managers & Community Support Organizations
Conflict Management: Keeping the Peace and Moving Forward & Share Session: How Did You Do It?
As if providing fresh, local food to the community and helping farmers succeed in business wasn’t enough, there are always a myriad of personalities to manage when you lead a market. This session is a bit outside the box and is meant to help you be a successful people manager in addition to your already successful market manager role.
Share Session: How Did You Do It?
We know you are dying to know how other managers survived a challenging year. This is a share session where we all learn from each other. Come prepared to share your successes and ask your peers for advice.
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Keynote & Closing Session
