Fall 2003

Ag in the Classroom Goes On the Road

by Pat Thompson, Oklahoma Curriculum Coordinator, Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom

Forty-one Oklahoma elementary school teachers rolled across eastern Oklahoma July 28-30 to explore the diversity in Oklahoma agriculture. The Oklahoma Beef Council sponsored the “On the Road With Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom” tour.

Along the way teachers learned that Oklahoma agriculture is cattle and much more. They learned that kiwis the size of grapes can be grown in Oklahoma, that there are many breeds of turkeys, some of which are in danger of extinction, and that to make it in agriculture you sometimes have to look out your back door and dream beyond the usual. Mostly teachers were inspired by the stories of the people who live and work in agriculture in Oklahoma.
Mike Walters of Walters’ Turkey Farm was a favorite. A past recipient of a Kerr grant, Walters raises rare turkey breeds to preserve them for future generations. The teachers were impressed with Walter’s vision, passion and persistence— and that he was able to do it all on only five acres.

“This has to be one of my favorite stops,” Jackie McGolden, a pre-K teacher from Fairview wrote in her journal. “It was refreshing to see a young person so passionate about agriculture and preserving the past. I’m so glad we saw a place that the Kerr Center had directly impacted,” she said.

The tour began Monday morning, July 28, with a stroll across the catwalk to the sale barn at the OKC Stockyards. Walking the catwalk, high above the whirl of cattle and cowboys on horseback, motorcycles and electric carts, the teachers were quickly engulfed by the smells and sounds and constant motion of the beef industry. Tour guide Tom Manske, OSU Extension 4-H youth educator from Canadian County, explained that this was the original Bricktown, since brick pavement lies beneath the soil on which the cattle are herded from pen to pen.

DeLane Sampler, an after-school teacher from Altus, was surprised to see real cowboys on horses and to learn that the OKC Stockyards are almost 100 years old. Lawton first grade teacher Arthenia Haney didn’t realize it was the world’s largest stocker and feeder market. First grade teacher Janet Howard of Chickasha loved the smell and the excitement of the auction.

Down the road near Okemah, the teachers were dropped from the bus right in the middle of a herd at the Fisher Quarterhorse Ranch and allowed to wander up close among beautiful horses.

Dinner was at the Rockin’ LH Asparagus Ranch and Big River Emporium, near Stidham. Lee Henry told the teachers he and his wife, Sharon, had tried to make it as asparagus farmers, but when that failed they had to start thinking creatively. Now they sell pickled asparagus and an assortment of mustards, relishes and other condiments, most with asparagus as at least one ingredient. In addition, the Henrys have a bed and breakfast and go all over the state catering events with their authentic Dutch oven cooking. The success of that enterprise was evident as soon as the teachers sat down to eat. The sourdough biscuits were a particular favorite. A western swing band provided
entertainment, and teachers cut loose with a little scatter square dancing (an Ag in the Classroom activity) to burn off some of their delicious dinner.

The Kerr Mansion near Poteau was home base for the next two days as teachers traveled to Spiro Mounds to learn about prehistoric agriculture in Oklahoma, were astounded at the size of the Green Leaf Nursery in Tahlequah, learned how cows are artificially inseminated at the Canadian Valley Limousin Ranch near Shawnee and how pecans are harvested at the Five Starr Ranch near Okemah.

Before leaving the Kerr Mansion on day three, the teachers heard a few more stories from Jim Horne, Kerr Center director. Using a PowerPoint, with photos, Dr. Horne told teachers about a few of the projects financed by Kerr grants. Many of the teachers were unfamiliar with the grant program and were pleased that the Kerr Center is helping farmers find environmentally sound methods for growing the food and fiber we need.

“There is so much I was not aware of in agriculture. [Dr. Horne’s presentation] gives me a new meaning for the word ‘sustainable.’ It also helped me realize the ‘culture’ part of the word ‘agriculture.’ Agriculture is a way of life, and there are people out there to help you and encourage you,” wrote Anna Lietch-Adams, second grade teacher from Porum.

“Seeing the struggles our farmers and ranchers face daily, I am so glad to know there are programs and grants available to help in the ongoing challenge to sustain their way of life,” said Holdenville pre-K teacher Mary Jo Myers.

Next stop was the Overstreet-Kerr Historical Farm, rated, hands-down, the best stop of the entire tour. Tour guides Jim Combs and Jeremy Henson got high marks for taking the teachers back in history to see and hear about life on a territorial farm and about the part Indian lands played in the history of agriculture in our state.
“I loved the history. Awesome and amazing. I loved the animals,” said Theresa Balan, sixth grade teacher from Moore. “It’s nice to see where we came from and where we are going. We really enjoyed the speakers. They were great entertainers and very knowledgeable.”

“On the Road With Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom” was OAITC’s first attempt at an ag tour. For the past ten years teacher workshops have been held on the OSU campus in Stillwater, making use of research facilities and Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service specialists there.

“This year it was just time for a change,” said Charles Cox, Oklahoma 4-H Program Leader, who works with the program at OSU. “We decided it was time to take it on the road.” The Oklahoma Beef Council has funded the institute for most of the past ten years and liked the tour idea.

OAITC staff members were very pleased with the tour. “It was good,” said Urban Schools Coordinator Jamey Allen, “because the teachers got to actually hear the stories of real people who work in agriculture.”

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