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!

P Bar Farms MAiZE 2004 coming soon....???

P Bar Farms... It's really cool to scout around and see what one can discover! Check out the following link for a "birdseye view of the MAiZE": P Bar Farms Photo Gallery Slideshow of 2003 MAiZE
From their site:
Reservations and Information:
PBar Farms
Rt 2 Box 92-G
Weatherford, OK 73096
580.772.4401 or 580.772.4151

General Information: info@pbarfarms.com
Loren Liebscher: loren@pbarfarms.com
Kim Liebscher: kim@pbarfarms.com
Tamra Misak: tamra@pbarfarms.com
Dorothy Royalty: dorothy@pbarfarms.com
Sharing our farm with others has been tucked in the back our minds for years. We knew we wanted to provide a memorable place to visit at an affordable price. We stress good, clean entertainment that is safe, fun and appropriate for all ages from children to older adults.
Now that fewer families are making a living from the farm, our goal is to increase awareness of agriculture and provide education to non-farm families in a fun way.
We invite you to visit PBar Farms to relax, make great memories and have some "farming fun."
Take a look at some of the Activities at PBar Farms and check out our Calendar of Events and Photo Gallery!
Over 45,000 have visited the farm!
Over 100 acres of indoor and outdoor possibilities!
PBar Farms
580.772.4401 or 580.772.4151
info@pbarfarms.com
Loren and Kim have worked overtime and have a first class amusement and Oklahoma treasure for all to see. MAiZE is owned and operated by Loren, Kim, Kelsey, Lindsey & Blaze Liebscher, Weatherford, OK.

An interesting black and white photo of a old style "press wheel"

An interesting black and white photo of a old style "press wheel" from a grain drill, cica 1910's. This wheel was part of a set of wheels that trailed behind a grain drill used to drill wheat. The wheel "pressed" the light layer of dirt down on top the seed to protect it and help preserve moisture so the seed would sprout and grow.
I have taken thousands of photos over the last few years... will try to share some from time to time. Today, I am trying to figure out this photo blog dealy.. You can now click on the photo and it should get larger and in focus so it can be seen better........... hopefully!!!
photo by stan

Piper Sudangrass is our story .. this summer!

This is a photo of some Piper SudanGrass that we planted this spring, in the drought. It had only a quarter inch of rain on it after 5 weeks.. and was starting to die out, but the good Lord blessed us with lots of rain after that, and on the first cutting of hay, we had over 90 6' round bales. Neighbor and friend Ken Judge swathed it for us, and we did the rest. It was taller than his John Deere Tractor and no bigger around than a small ink pen. This field is on upland CLAY soil. The video clip on the left of Ken is the field in the sand at Mom and Dads west of Perkins. Lots of difference in the two fields. Both were planted May 8th, and both had same amount of fertiler applied. Perkins field had 50lbs per acre, and Stillwater field had 40 lbs per acre. While the Stillwater field was much taller at harvest, it did NOT make the most. The field at Perkins beat it by one half bale per acre! After cutting, each had rain. Perkins field looks tough, light greeen and uneven, but the Stillwater field is very even and dark green and looks like it was just planted!!! Difference in ground, one being sand one being upland CLAY! Hope this has not put you to sleep! haha... We planted this for additional forage for the cattle this winter and something for Dad to "think" about this summer and keep up with. Not sure what to do this fall, thinking of planting some Marshall Rye by overseeding, MAYBE!
photo by stan

Grandson Austyn and Zoa...

Austyn and Zoa love to play together and this is the first picture I had them to BOTH be still for a second.
photo by stan