OKLAHOMA LOCAL AG COLLABORATIVE
Established to strengthen and grow the capacity of Oklahoma’s local agriculture system.
The ONIE Project was awarded the Regional Food Systems Partnership grant to establish the Oklahoma Local Agriculture Collaborative (OLAC) with Langston University and Healthy Oklahomans Nutrition Alliance (HONA) as sub-awardees. At the 2019 Oklahoma Local Ag Summit (formerly known as OKFMAC), a needs assessment was conducted to better understand the state of Oklahoma’s local agriculture. OLAC has utilized the results of this needs assessment to create programming and objectives that directly serve Oklahoma’s agricultural entrepreneurs across the state.
ABOUT OLAC
The Oklahoma Local Ag Collaborative, also known as OLAC, was established to strengthen and grow the capacity of Oklahoma’s local agriculture system. OLAC serves to unite partner agencies with agriculture entrepreneurs to recognize and represent the needs of local agribusiness. OLAC is funded by the USDA Regional Food Systems Partnership grant along with sub-awardees Langston University and Healthy Oklahomans Nutrition Alliance (HONA).
The overarching goal of OLAC is to strengthen the capacity of Oklahoma’s local agriculture in three areas: improving communication and access to underutilized resources; developing technical support systems to foster innovative practices; and creating a statewide registration and membership network for producers and direct-to-consumer markets. OLAC will focus specifically on rural markets and underserved communities to ensure that Oklahoma’s producers have equal access.
The project objectives aim to address the priorities mentioned above.
- Objective 1
Form and maintain an active and engaged Advisory Board consisting of diverse representatives from farmers markets, local agriculture entrepreneurs, and support organizations to guide the vision, innovations, and design of OLAC. Representatives will cover all four regions of the state and include small farms and ranches, new and beginning farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged producers, veteran producers, and/or underserved communities. - Objective 2
Establish an accessible, statewide digital resource hub to promote capacity building of local agriculture that supports producers’ marketing and selling through direct-to-consumer markets. - Objective 3
Develop, coordinate, and expand training opportunities and technical support (USDA, State, and privately-funded) for farmers markets and agriculture entrepreneurs selling through direct-to-consumer markets; this includes creating 10 regional trainings, workshops and/or field days that provide education on, but not limited to: grant writing, business plan development, value-added products, food safety, and marketing. - Objective 4
Build a network to connect agriculture entrepreneurs, farmers markets, food hubs, cooperatives, agritourism sites, and community support organizations across the state; the network will foster collaboration, encourage innovations, and provide mentorship opportunities. - Objective 5
Evaluate project effectiveness and identify current resource needs and areas for growth by conducting a needs assessment among the local agriculture community.
WHY BECOME A MEMBER?
Being a member of OLAC is completely free and grants you access to a network of producers throughout the state of Oklahoma. Connect with fellow producers to learn from one another, find new markets to sell your products, receive discounts for local agriculture events and more. Expand our network and join OLAC today!
GET INVOLVED
Are you interested in collaborating with OLAC?
Join us as an OLAC partner. COMPLETE THE PARTNER INTEREST FORM
Or apply to join the OLAC Advisory Board. COMPLETE THE ADVISORY BOARD APPLICAITON
CONTACT US
For questions or business inquiries, please email okfarmersmarkets@ouhsc.edu or visit oklac.org.