The ONIE Blog

In 2019, the ONIE Project conducted a survey to determine the needs of small producers in Oklahoma. This session will provide an overview of the needs assessment findings & implications for future practice.

Applying for loans can be challenging. Walkthrough the FSA loan process with both a loan officer & a successful applicant to find out if FSA loans are right for your farm.

Social media is everywhere these days, but why should I use it for my farm or market? Social media marketing plays a key role in growing your business & attracting customers. Come learn why it is so important & how to effectively use it.

Increased food awareness & augmented appeal of urban farming has contributed to the recent boost in popularity of small flock poultry & egg production. Raising poultry can be a fantastic way to bring food awareness to families & provide kids a simple lesson in responsibility. Learn tips on successful poultry rearing & gain insight on selling eggs according to the Oklahoma Egg Law.

Oklahoma has a unique cultural history that can be a resource for market gardeners & in agritourism. An overview of experiences & guidelines from Native American, African-American, Hispanic & Asian cultures will be shared.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices will be discussed & practical tips will be provided on how to best use IPM in Market Gardens in Oklahoma.

This session will cover the basics of Double Up Oklahoma (DUO) & the process for participating in the 2020 DUO Pilot Project. The 2020 Pilot Project will focus on Farmers Markets that provide innovative outreach or opportunities to connect with low-income Oklahomans. Participants in this session will have the first look at the application process for the new DUO program.

Hear from the managers of the Lawton Farmers Market & Tahlequah Farmers Market about fundraising strategies they use to sustain & expand their markets.

Grow your production by adding canned & packaged products with incubator kitchens. These certified kitchens provide a variety of assistance from business development to packaging & distribution.

Learn about ways to incorporate a variety of farm to school activities & resources into the local school programs. Each participant will receive resources to incorporate a school garden, help with educating students on where their food comes from & much more.

This session will cover strategies to connect with customers at the farmers market including how to educate customers about vegetables, promote your products & grow your business with excellent customer service.

The Nudge Method is an easy, inexpensive & research-proven method for encouraging people to choose healthier foods. In this session, you will learn the best ways to implement nudges at the farmers market including how to put on a successful cooking demo.