NE - OSU-Tulsa

700 N Greenwood Ave.

Tulsa, OK 74106

Present data on the Middle Arkansas and Central OCWP Planning Regions.

No registration required.

Save the date! Oklahoma Water Resources Board is pleased to announce the third in a series of stakeholder input meetings, in locations across the state, focused on the 2025 update of Oklahoma’s Comprehensive Water Plan (OCWP). While anyone may attend, we request participation from local officials, water utility suppliers, regulated industry, commercial agricultural producers, economic development entities, and representing organizations. 

** Round 3 Focus Points **

• updated water supply and demand projections thru 2075, 

  1. water quality trends

  2. drilling down on local issues.

Each meeting will follow the same agenda: 

• Provide a general OCWP update.

• Provide state level summary of water demand, water supply, and water quality data.

• Facilitate up to four concurrent breakout sessions to present regional level data and discuss local challenges. 
        Regions to be covered in each meeting are identified above.

• Provide summary of each breakout group’s discussion.

• Discuss upcoming OCWP activities.

Missed the Previous meetings? or just want to refresh your memory? Summaries of Round 1 and 2 can be found on OWRB's water planning web page under the Public Meetings link.

We look forward to seeing you all again and meeting new water enthusiasts!

Owen Mills
Director of Water Planning, OWRB

owen.mills@owrb.ok.gov

NW - High Plains Technology Center

3921 34th St.

Woodward, OK 73801

Present Data on Panhandle OCWP Planning Region

No registration required.

Save the date! Oklahoma Water Resources Board is pleased to announce the third in a series of stakeholder input meetings, in locations across the state, focused on the 2025 update of Oklahoma’s Comprehensive Water Plan (OCWP). While anyone may attend, we request participation from local officials, water utility suppliers, regulated industry, commercial agricultural producers, economic development entities, and representing organizations. 

** Round 3 Focus Points **

• updated water supply and demand projections thru 2075, 

  1. water quality trends

  2. drilling down on local issues.

Each meeting will follow the same agenda: 

• Provide a general OCWP update.

• Provide state level summary of water demand, water supply, and water quality data.

• Facilitate up to four concurrent breakout sessions to present regional level data and discuss local challenges. 
        Regions to be covered in each meeting are identified above.

• Provide summary of each breakout group’s discussion.

• Discuss upcoming OCWP activities.

Missed the Previous meetings? or just want to refresh your memory? Summaries of Round 1 and 2 can be found on OWRB's water planning web page under the Public Meetings link.

We look forward to seeing you all again and meeting new water enthusiasts!

Owen Mills
Director of Water Planning, OWRB

owen.mills@owrb.ok.gov

SE - Choctaw Nation: Antlers Community Center

SW 2nd St.

Antlers, OK 74523

Present Data on the Blue-Boggy and Southeast OCWP Planning Regions

No registration required for this event.

Save the date! Oklahoma Water Resources Board is pleased to announce the third in a series of stakeholder input meetings, in locations across the state, focused on the 2025 update of Oklahoma’s Comprehensive Water Plan (OCWP). While anyone may attend, we request participation from local officials, water utility suppliers, regulated industry, commercial agricultural producers, economic development entities, and representing organizations. 

** Round 3 Focus Points **

• updated water supply and demand projections thru 2075, 

  1. water quality trends

  2. drilling down on local issues.

Each meeting will follow the same agenda: 

• Provide a general OCWP update.

• Provide state level summary of water demand, water supply, and water quality data.

• Facilitate up to four concurrent breakout sessions to present regional level data and discuss local challenges. 
        Regions to be covered in each meeting are identified above.

• Provide summary of each breakout group’s discussion.

• Discuss upcoming OCWP activities.

Missed the Previous meetings? or just want to refresh your memory? Summaries of Round 1 and 2 can be found on OWRB's water planning web page under the Public Meetings link.

We look forward to seeing you all again and meeting new water enthusiasts!

Owen Mills
Director of Water Planning, OWRB

owen.mills@owrb.ok.gov

Central - Aloft

209 N Walnut Ave

Oklahoma City, OK 73104

Present data on the Upper Arkansas and Central OCWP Planning Regions

No registration required.

Save the date! Oklahoma Water Resources Board is pleased to announce the third in a series of stakeholder input meetings, in locations across the state, focused on the 2025 update of Oklahoma’s Comprehensive Water Plan (OCWP). While anyone may attend, we request participation from local officials, water utility suppliers, regulated industry, commercial agricultural producers, economic development entities, and representing organizations. 

** Round 3 Focus Points **

• updated water supply and demand projections thru 2075, 

  1. water quality trends

  2. drilling down on local issues.

Each meeting will follow the same agenda: 

• Provide a general OCWP update.

• Provide state level summary of water demand, water supply, and water quality data.

• Facilitate up to four concurrent breakout sessions to present regional level data and discuss local challenges. 
        Regions to be covered in each meeting are identified above.

• Provide summary of each breakout group’s discussion.

• Discuss upcoming OCWP activities.

Missed the Previous meetings? or just want to refresh your memory? Summaries of Round 1 and 2 can be found on OWRB's water planning web page under the Public Meetings link.

We look forward to seeing you all again and meeting new water enthusiasts!

Owen Mills
Director of Water Planning, OWRB

owen.mills@owrb.ok.gov

Click here for more information.

Calling all volunteers! Please join us for a webinar on April 2, 6:00 p.m. Here is a link to the webinar:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83670249696...

The passcode is:

633209

Welcome to BLUE THUMB!

Join volunteer coordinator Cheryl Cheadle for…

• An updated look at the Blue Thumb Program

• Showcasing of Volunteer Stream Education Data Projects

• Blue Thumb as a Visionary Leader!

As a new volunteer you will get to learn more about the possibilities that await you!  As a seasoned volunteer you will receive an updated look at YOUR program.

As a person who really does not know what Blue Thumb is, join us for a fast and fun introduction to this award-winning program!

Commission Votes to Approve Soil Health Implementation Program

Oklahoma City, OK– The Oklahoma Conservation Commission (OCC) has launched the Soil Health Implementation Program (SHIP), a new initiative to improve soil health across Oklahoma’s agricultural landscapes. Approved unanimously by the Commission on December 12th, SHIP aims to provide comprehensive soil conservation solutions in both rural and urban areas

The program, led by the OCC’s Soil Health Team, focuses on conservation practices that build land and operation resilience by improving ecosystem health. It combines technical assistance and financial incentives to encourage the adoption of soil health practices among agricultural producers. SHIP offers up to $40,000 over three years to approved applicants aiming to make a significant impact on their soil conservation.

In addition to providing direct support to landowners, SHIP will collect data to improve the state’s soil health database and conduct educational outreach to foster a network of producer mentorship. These efforts target critical environmental challenges like soil and water quality degradation.

The program's application window will open at the beginning of next year, from January 1  until March 1, 2024. Applicants must be district cooperators with approved agreements and are expected to implement and maintain the conservation practices in accordance with their SHIP conservation plan.

The OCC will review, score, and rank applications with the goal of representing the five conservation district areas across the state. This initiative represents a significant step in the ongoing work of Oklahoma’s conservation partnership toward a sustainable agricultural future in Oklahoma.

For more information, interested individuals are advised to contact their local conservation district office.

Name of Event: Temple Grandin Master Class: Animal Welfare in Agriculture

Organization Hosting Event: University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma

Event Start Date: February 23, 2024

Event End Date: February 23, 2024

Event Start Time: 4:15 PM

Event End Time: 5:00 PM

Event Location: Te Ata Auditorium, Troutt Hall, 1727 W. Alabama Ave., Chickasha, OK 73018, United States

Dr. Temple Grandin will be visiting the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma to deliver a master class in Animal Welfare in Agriculture and as the Keynote speaker for the Emerson-Weir Symposium where she will be speaking on her work as an advocate for autism and neurodiverse individuals.

For more information :https://usao.edu/arts-and-culture/speaker-series/emerson-wier.html

Oklahoma Weather and Climate Training

February 21, 2024  8:30 am - 3:30 pm

Woodward, OK

This 1-day training will focus on weather and climate information for western Oklahoma. This event is free and open to anyone interested in weather and climate information, but may be especially useful for crop and livestock producers, agronomists, and agricultural insurers. 

Presenters will include representatives from the Oklahoma State University Extension, the USDA Southern Plains Climate Hub, the Oklahoma State Climate Office, NOAA's National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), and the National Weather Service.

To register please go drought.gov.

REMINDER: Members of FVC of Oklahoma are working to reinvigorate the Farmer Veteran Coalition chapter in Oklahoma and we would like to invite you to join in a meeting to discuss the reinvigoration.

FVC of Oklahoma Board of Directors members have come forward and indicated an interest in getting more members involved in the state chapter and have asked us to spread the word to all FVC members who live in Oklahoma. It is essential to have a critical mass of FVC members and stakeholders within the state to reinvigorate the chapter that can help mobilize and support Veterans to feed America. We hope that you can support this effort.

If you have an interest in becoming involved or learning more, please plan on registering for and attending the chapter reinvigoration meeting on:

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

7pm CST

Register in advance for this meeting below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpduyorTkpHdMfl9WjEnfKPo2Yw7K72bzC%20#/registration

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. If you don't see it in your inbox, please check your spam folder.

If you have any questions, please send an email to chapters@farmvetco.orgor Lori at lori@farmvetco.org.

USDA EXTENDS DEADLINE FOR INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA) SECTION 22007 TO JANUARY 13TH, 2024; TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED DISCRIMINATION IN USDA FARM LOAN PROCESSES

Friday, September 22nd, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

For Further Information, Contact:

• Rural Coalition: Rel Brender, rel@ruralco.org or Lorette Picciano, lpicciano@ruralco.org 

• North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers Land Loss Prevention Project: Savi Horne, savi@landloss.org 

• Farmers Legal Action Group: Stephen Carpenter, SCarpenter@flaginc.org

Deadline Extension for the IRA Section 22007 Claims Process 

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that the claims process for Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)has been extended from October 31st, 2023 to January 13th, 2024. The deadline for applicants to request documents from USDA was also extended from September 29th, 2023 to November 3rd, 2023. 

IRA Section 22007 provides $2.2 billion in financial assistance for farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who have experienced discrimination in USDA’s farm lending programs prior to January 1, 2021. Because there are so many individuals, families, and communities impacted by discrimination in USDA loan processes, the extension will allow us and our sub-cooperators to support many more farmers to have strong claims.

Since the process launched in July, USDA has consistently sought and listened to input from the community partners, members, and farmers we’ve worked with. This deadline extension is a direct response to all who made their voices heard. Rural Coalition thanks our community members for urging USDA to extend the deadline, we thank USDA for listening to our community members. By now providing a 6-month window for outreach, technical assistance, and writing claims, USDA’s flexibility and collaboration will lead to a better outcome for all the farmers we serve. 

“USDA knows it must earn the trust of the farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who are eligible for this program. That makes transparency in the administration of the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program crucial,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “In that spirit, after receiving feedback from organizations that have been supporting producers throughout the application process, we have made the decision to extend the deadline. We believe this is the appropriate action to take to ensure all eligible individuals wishing to apply are adequately informed about the program and have the opportunity to receive any necessary assistance.”   

IRA Section 22007 Application Information:

IRA Section 22007 is not a lawsuit. According to USDA, “Farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination by USDA in its farm loan programs prior to January 1, 2021 and/or are currently debtors with assigned or assumed USDA farm loan debt that were the subject of USDA discrimination that occurred prior to January 1, 2021, are eligible for this program. To apply, borrowers have the option to apply via the e-filing portal at 22007apply.gov or submit paper-based forms via mail or in-person delivery to the program’s local offices. The application process will be open from July 7, 2023 to January 13th, 2024.”

There is no fee to apply or to receive assistance in applying. 

Eight trusted community-based organizations are serving as cooperators with USDA and third party administrators to implement this long-awaited financial assistance program and to assist farmers and ranchers who have faced discrimination in prior farm loan processes. Those cooperators are: 

• The Federation of Southern Cooperatives Land Assistance Fund (FSC/LAF)

• Rural Coalition (RC)

• Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) 

• North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers Land Loss Prevention Project (LLPP) 

• Farmers Legal Action Group (FLAG) 

• National Young Farmers Coalition (Young Farmers)

• Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) 

• National AgrAbility Project (NAP) 

The following Rural Coalition Members are sub-cooperators with USDA: 

• Danly Point LLC 

• Grupo Amor de Homestead

• Latino Farmers of the Southeast

• American Indian Mothers, Inc.

• Compañeras Campesinas

• Cottage House, Inc.

• Kansas Black Farmers Association

• Latino Farmers and Ranchers International, Inc.

• Mississippi Association of Cooperatives

• Oklahoma Black Historical Research Project, Inc.

• Rural Advancement Fund of the National Sharecroppers Fund

• Texas Coalition of Rural Landowners

For virtual and information sessions on this program, please see USDA’s calendar of events at https://22007apply.gov/local-assistance.html#local-events.

Access our press release & USDA's press release below:

Our Press Release

USDA's Press Release

Join Rural Coalition, Land Loss Prevention Project, and Farmers Legal Action Group for

IRA 22007 Information Sessions:

• Tuesday, Sept 26th, 7:00pm ET: IRA 22007 Info Session for Farmers, Ranchers, and Forest Landowners. Register here.

• El jueves, 28 de septiembre, 7pm ET: IRA Sección 22007 Sesión informativa para agricultor@s, ganaderos y terratenientes forestales. Registraste aquí.

• Tuesday, Oct 3rd, 7:00pm ET: IRA 22007 Info Session for Farmers, Ranchers, and Forest Landowners. Register here.

• El jueves, 5 de octubre, 7pm ET: IRA Sección 22007 Sesión informativa para agricultor@s, ganaderos y terratenientes forestales. Registraste aquí.

• Tuesday, Oct 10th, 7:00pm ET: IRA 22007 Info Session for Farmers, Ranchers, and Forest Landowners. Register here.

• El jueves, 12 de octubre, 7pm ET: IRA Sección 22007 Sesión informativa para agricultor@s, ganaderos y terratenientes forestales. Registraste aquí.

• Tuesday, Oct 17th, 7:00pm ET: IRA 22007 Info Session for Farmers, Ranchers, and Forest Landowners. Register here.

• El jueves, 19 de octubre, 7pm ET: IRA Sección 22007 Sesión informativa para agricultor@s, ganaderos y terratenientes forestales. Registraste aquí.

• Tuesday, Oct 24th, 7:00pm ET: IRA 22007 Info Session for Farmers, Ranchers, and Forest Landowners. Register here.

• El jueves, 26 de octubre, 7pm ET: IRA Sección 22007 Sesión informativa para agricultor@s, ganaderos y terratenientes forestales. Registraste aquí.

2023-2024

OACD AUXILIARY

 Oklahoma

        High School Seniors

Conservation Auxiliary

        Scholarship Application

(return to Robyn Caughlin by January 8, 2024 at robertacaughlin@icloud.com.)

The Oklahoma Auxiliary Scholarship is intended to encourage qualified students to increase their interest and awareness of the mission of Conservation.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Scholarship applicant must be a child or grandchild of a District Director/Manager, Conservation Employee, or NRCS seeking a higher education at a Trade School, College or University.

• Applicant must have an over all 2.5 Grade Point Average

• Applicant must be enrolled in a Trade School, College or Universityby Fall of 2024

• Applicant must be a full-time student.

Thursday      Dec. 21,  2023                                       DFAP Workshop

Bristow Community Center

     10th & Chestnut

Bristow, OK.  

5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Refreshments Served

Saturday     Dec.  16th,  2023                                   DFAP Workshop

Greenwood Cultural Center

322 N. Greenwood

Tulsa, OK   

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Refreshments Served

Friday         Dec. 15,  2023                              DFAP Workshop

The Bryant Center

     2200 N. Bryant, Ave.

Oklahoma City, OK.  

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Refreshments Served

Thursday     Dec. 14,  2023                                      DFAP Workshop

St. Mathews Baptist Church

     1001 E. Chicago

Okmulgee, OK.  

5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Refreshments Served

are weeks away from the 2023 Governor’s Water Conferenceand the OCWP Round 2 regional meetings! We can’t wait to see you! Download our presentation slides from Round 1 meetings here.

OCWP Round 2 Regional Meetings

Round 2 meetings will be held on the following dates and locations. Meetings are scheduled from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. While anyone may attend, we request participation from local officials, water utility suppliers, regulated industry, commercial agricultural producers, economic development entities, and representing organizations.

▪  December 5 | NW - Panhandle State University, Student Union Ballroom | 323 Eagle Blvd., Goodwell, OK

▪  December 11 | SW - Cameron University, McMahon Centennial Complex, McAsland Ballroom | 2800 W. Gore Blvd., Lawton, OK

▪ December 12 | SE - Kiamichi Technology Center, Conference Room A/B | 13739 SE 202nd Rd., Talihina, OK

▪  December 13 | NE - Cherokee Chota Center | 3307 Seven Clans Ave., Tahlequah, OK

▪  December 14 | Central - Francis Tuttle Technology Center - Portland Campus | 3500 NW 150th St., Oklahoma City, OK

▪  Virtual meeting  December 14, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Join Here

Each meeting will follow the same agenda:

▪  Provide an OCWP update including a recap of comments we heard at the Round 1 meetings

▪  Facilitate three concurrent breakout sessions. In each session we will work with attendees to identify specific actions or topics that represent the next best steps toward addressing challenges in the following areas:

1. Permitting / Regulations / Policy – production well setback? limiting dedicated acres contiguous to production well? greater enforcement of existing rules? etc.

2. Collaboration / Partnership – regional planning, encouraging best management practices, etc.

3. Funding / Financing – improvements to existing and/or new program ideas, etc.

▪  Provide summary of each breakout group’s discussion

▪  Discuss upcoming OCWP activities.

For those unable to attend in person, a virtual meeting will be held on December 14, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Join the Teams meeting using this link.

are weeks away from the 2023 Governor’s Water Conferenceand the OCWP Round 2 regional meetings! We can’t wait to see you! Download our presentation slides from Round 1 meetings here.

OCWP Round 2 Regional Meetings

Round 2 meetings will be held on the following dates and locations. Meetings are scheduled from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. While anyone may attend, we request participation from local officials, water utility suppliers, regulated industry, commercial agricultural producers, economic development entities, and representing organizations.

▪  December 5 | NW - Panhandle State University, Student Union Ballroom | 323 Eagle Blvd., Goodwell, OK

▪  December 11 | SW - Cameron University, McMahon Centennial Complex, McAsland Ballroom | 2800 W. Gore Blvd., Lawton, OK

▪ December 12 | SE - Kiamichi Technology Center, Conference Room A/B | 13739 SE 202nd Rd., Talihina, OK

▪  December 13 | NE - Cherokee Chota Center | 3307 Seven Clans Ave., Tahlequah, OK

▪  December 14 | Central - Francis Tuttle Technology Center - Portland Campus | 3500 NW 150th St., Oklahoma City, OK

▪  Virtual meeting  December 14, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Join Here

Each meeting will follow the same agenda:

▪  Provide an OCWP update including a recap of comments we heard at the Round 1 meetings

▪  Facilitate three concurrent breakout sessions. In each session we will work with attendees to identify specific actions or topics that represent the next best steps toward addressing challenges in the following areas:

1. Permitting / Regulations / Policy – production well setback? limiting dedicated acres contiguous to production well? greater enforcement of existing rules? etc.

2. Collaboration / Partnership – regional planning, encouraging best management practices, etc.

3. Funding / Financing – improvements to existing and/or new program ideas, etc.

▪  Provide summary of each breakout group’s discussion

▪  Discuss upcoming OCWP activities.

For those unable to attend in person, a virtual meeting will be held on December 14, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Join the Teams meeting using this link.

are weeks away from the 2023 Governor’s Water Conferenceand the OCWP Round 2 regional meetings! We can’t wait to see you! Download our presentation slides from Round 1 meetings here.

OCWP Round 2 Regional Meetings

Round 2 meetings will be held on the following dates and locations. Meetings are scheduled from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. While anyone may attend, we request participation from local officials, water utility suppliers, regulated industry, commercial agricultural producers, economic development entities, and representing organizations.

▪  December 5 | NW - Panhandle State University, Student Union Ballroom | 323 Eagle Blvd., Goodwell, OK

▪  December 11 | SW - Cameron University, McMahon Centennial Complex, McAsland Ballroom | 2800 W. Gore Blvd., Lawton, OK

▪ December 12 | SE - Kiamichi Technology Center, Conference Room A/B | 13739 SE 202nd Rd., Talihina, OK

▪  December 13 | NE - Cherokee Chota Center | 3307 Seven Clans Ave., Tahlequah, OK

▪  December 14 | Central - Francis Tuttle Technology Center - Portland Campus | 3500 NW 150th St., Oklahoma City, OK

▪  Virtual meeting  December 14, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Join Here

Each meeting will follow the same agenda:

▪  Provide an OCWP update including a recap of comments we heard at the Round 1 meetings

▪  Facilitate three concurrent breakout sessions. In each session we will work with attendees to identify specific actions or topics that represent the next best steps toward addressing challenges in the following areas:

1. Permitting / Regulations / Policy – production well setback? limiting dedicated acres contiguous to production well? greater enforcement of existing rules? etc.

2. Collaboration / Partnership – regional planning, encouraging best management practices, etc.

3. Funding / Financing – improvements to existing and/or new program ideas, etc.

▪  Provide summary of each breakout group’s discussion

▪  Discuss upcoming OCWP activities.

For those unable to attend in person, a virtual meeting will be held on December 14, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Join the Teams meeting using this link.