Oklahoma Agritourism Steering Committee include Loren Liebscher, Weatherford

Agritourism Holds Promise For Rural Communities
May 25th meeting in Buffalo FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Paul Laubach (405) 522-4657 or (405) 664-7743

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK--Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Terry Peach said a joint effort between three state agencies to promote Oklahoma agritourism ventures could boost rural development across the state. A public meeting concerning the venture will beheld Tuesday, May 25th in Buffalo. Anyone interested in learning more about possibilities in tourism for the rural Oklahoman should attend.
The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation consider agritourism a top priority, he said. The three agencies decided to partner earlier this year on developing a plan to start an agritourism program in Oklahoma.

Agritourism includes guest and working ranches, maize farms, farm stays, wineries, hunting and fishing activities, birding, and many other outdoor and rural recreational activities.

“The Oklahoma Agritourism Steering Committee just completed their initial organizational meetings and will begin holding regional public meetings later in May,” Peach said. “We are very excited to be partnering with Secretary of Commerce and Tourism Kathy Taylor and Greg Duffy, Director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, on what we feel will become an invaluable program for economic development in rural Oklahoma.”

Peach has selected Paul Laubach of Leedey, Okla., to serve as the coordinator for the agritourism project. Those appointed to serve on the Oklahoma Agritourism Steering Committee include Bob Apple, Kenton; Les Brelsford, Wilburton; Marsha Butler, Vinita; Becky Franks, Antlers; Trapper Heglin, Buffalo; Lee Henry, Stidham; Dr. Jim Horne, Poteau; Newley Hutchison, Canton; Melyn Johnson, Guymon; Carol Jordan, Oklahoma City; Dr. Terry Lewis, Ringwood; Loren Liebscher, Weatherford; Kathy Moore, Woodward; Stephanie Read, Chandler; Sue Selman, Buffalo; Jill Stichler, Lexington; Dr. Tom Warren, Tulsa; Don Whinery, Sayre; and Carl White, Ames.

Laubach said public meetings will be held at several committee members’ operations around the state. Meetings are to be held at the Summerside Vineyards and Winery in Vinita, Read Ranch in Chandler, Rebel Hills Guest Ranch in Antlers, Rockin’ L-H Asparagus Farms in Stidham, Flying W Ranch in Sayre, Selman Ranch in Buffalo, and Chain Ranch in Canton.

“We decided to hold our public meetings in locations where our committee members own and operate their businesses so that community leaders and other interested parties can see first hand what agritourism is all about,” said Laubach. “We want people to see the potential for economic diversification of our farms and ranches in rural Oklahoma.”

Laubach said the Oklahoma Agritourism Steering Committee will compile a master plan based on the results of their own research and information gathered from the public meetings. The committee will present their findings to the partnering agencies at the end of June.

Loren.. we are all very proud of your accomplishments... keep up the great effort!