OKLAHOMA CITY — Several major events, conferences and expos have been planned for the first half of 2018. From agritourism and marketing to FFA, agricultural education, and livestock shows, there is bound to be something to pique your interest.

Feral Swine Press Conference

• Secretary of Agriculture, Jim Reese will host a press conference to discuss 2017 successes with the management and depredation of feral swine in Oklahoma through USDA Wildlife Services as well as goals and changes for 2018.
• When: 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 23.
• Where: Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry Building atrium, 2800 N Lincoln Blvd.
• For more information, contact Deputy Commissioner Betty Thompson, betty.thompson@ag.ok.gov, 405-522-6105

Listening Session

• The Oklahoma State Board of Agriculture will hold a listening session on dicamba chemistry at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23 at the Agriculture Department Building at 2800 N Lincoln Blvd. in Oklahoma City.  The Board will listen to public comment from the floor, and then consider adoption, revision, rejection or tabling of the following statement:

The State Board of Agriculture supports continued advancement of science and technology to improve crop production results.  New dicamba chemistries and seed genetics show promise to improve yield while allowing farmers to be more efficient.

Last year, Oklahoma reported 33 soybean complaints and 11 cotton complaints.  These are not unusually high numbers based on our history of complaints.  It is also probably true that there were some incidents of unintended crop damage that were not reported.  In order to continue to have these new products available to us, it is critical that we take great care to correctly apply these formulations according to the approved label.

The labels of the new dicamba formulations require applicator training.  Not only is it required, it is very good information every applicator should know.

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Agriculture (ODAFF) will strictly enforce the use and misuse of dicamba products.  Old dicamba chemistries are not approved for over the top soybean or cotton use.  Nozzles, sprayer training, and record keeping are required by the label for new chemistry (over the crop) dicamba.  Penalties for misuse can range from $100-$10,000 per offense and offenses can be per day or per action.

ODAFF has resisted the trend to overregulate new agriculture technologies because correctly applied crop protection products and seed use will provide increased opportunities for all Oklahoma producers.  We encourage all producers to read the labels, apply correctly, and keep records of your applications.  We need to make this work for our neighbors, ourselves, and our industry.

• For more information, contact Deputy Commissioner Betty Thompson, betty.thompson@ag.ok.gov, 405-522-6105

Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association Annual Convention

• Veterinarians, technicians and office staff meet to discuss current issues, learn from each other, and hear from expert speakers. In conjunction with the convention, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry hosts a day of continuing education at the convention for mixed and large animal practitioners to provide updates on programs and discuss new and emerging disease issues.
• When: Jan. 25-27, ODAFF continuing education Jan. 25
• Where: Embassy Suites, 2501 Conference Dr., Norman 73069
• For more information, contact State Veterinarian Dr. Rod Hall at 405-522-0270 or rod.hall@ag.ok.gov. Visit https://okvma.org/ovma-annual-convention/ for details on the convention.

Made in Oklahoma Expo

• For those interested in learning more about the local food products available right here in the great state of Oklahoma, here’s your chance! Come explore the culinary offerings of more than 70 Oklahoma food manufacturers at the 2018 MIO Expo.
• When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 21
• Where: Southwind Hills Event Center, 468 SW 24^th Ave., Goldsby 73093
• For more information contact Emily Shuping, MIO Coalition Coordinator, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, at 580-727-1229or Emily.shuping@ag.ok.gov.

Oklahoma Farmers Market & Agritourism 2018 Conference and Expo

• Inviting all market managers, agritourism producers, growers, vendors & community partners to attend the fourth annual Oklahoma Farmers Market & Agritourism Conference.
• When: Feb. 22
• Where: Tower Hotel, 3233 Northwest Expressway, OKC 73112
• For more information, visit http://www.onieproject.org/okfmc/ or contact Tandy Kidd, Oklahoma Farmers Market coordinator, at 405-522-4330 ortandy.kidd@ag.ok.gov.

Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting

• Conservation district directors, their employees and agriculture and conservation professionals from across Oklahoma meet at the 2018 OACD Annual Meeting to discuss current issues, learn from each other, and hear from expert speakers.
• When: Feb. 25-27
• Where: Embassy Suites Oklahoma City Downtown Medical Center, 741 N Phillips Ave, OKC 7310
• For more information, visit https://www.okconservation.org/statemeeting or contact Trey Lam, Oklahoma Conservation Commission executive director, at Trey.Lam@Conservation.ok.gov or 405-521-4827.

Oklahoma Youth Expo

• Since 1915 Oklahoma youth and their families have been making this event a tradition in their lives. This event is not only the World’s Largest Junior Livestock Show but an event which highlights the world’s best and brightest young people.
• When: March 6-16
• Where: State Fair Park, Oklahoma City
• For more information, visit https://okyouthexpo.com/ or contact the OYE office at 405-235-0404.

Ag Day at the State Capitol

• Join Oklahoma’s agriculture groups and others as we bring the story of agriculture to the Oklahoma legislature. Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom will be recognizing the winners of the 2018 AITC Coloring and Poster Contest and the new AITC Teacher of the Year. The governor’s Excellence in Agriculture Awards will be given, and Made in Oklahoma companies will have products for display in an exhibit area.
• When: April 10
• Where: Oklahoma State Capitol
• For AITC information, contact Audrey Harmon, Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom coordinator, at 405-740-0160 or Audrey.harmon@ag.ok.gov. For the governor’s awards, contact Jason Harvey, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry market development coordinator, at 405-522-5563or Jason.harvey@ag.ok.gov. For MIO information, contact Julie Sears, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry domestic programs coordinator, at 405-522-5560 or Julie.sears@ag.ok.gov.

Conservation Day at the State Capitol

• Join Oklahoma’s conservation groups and others as they bring conservation exhibits and awards for leading conservationists to the Oklahoma legislature.
• When: April 12
• Where: Oklahoma State Capitol
• Contact: For more information, contact Trey Lam, Oklahoma Conservation Commission executive director, at Trey.Lam@Conservation.ok.gov or 405-521-4827.

International Conference on Wild Pigs 

• What:  International Conference on Wild Pigs.  The International Conference on Wild Pigs is the only forum in the world that provides federal, state and private stakeholders a venue to discuss biological, financial and social implications specific to wild pig subsistence in our ecosystems.  The conference will assemble experienced managers as well as those new to the wild pig industry in a professional, educational atmosphere.
• When: April 15-April 19.
• Where: Skirvin Hotel, Oklahoma City, Ok
• For more information contact Wildlife Services State DirectorScott Alls, scott.a.alls@aphis.usda.gov or 405- 522-5470

Oklahoma FFA State Convention

• Oklahoma FFA members gather for their annual convention. Students will compete for awards, be recognized for their hard work, state officers will be elected, and more.
• When: May 1-2
• Where: Cox Convention Center, 1 Myriad Gardens, OKC 73102
• For more information, visit http://okffa.org/ or contact the Oklahoma State FFA office at 405-743-5498.

Oklahoma Forestry Camp

• Oklahoma Forestry Services’ 61st annual Oklahoma Forestry Camp offers swimming, canoeing, hiking and the opportunity to make new friends, all while learning about the environment.
• When: June 4-9
• Where: Beavers Bend State Park
• For more information, visit www.forestry.ok.gov/forestrycamp or contact Suzanne McCombs, Oklahoma Forestry Services communications and outreach manager, at 405-522-6156.

Ag on Route 66 with Ag in the Classroom

• Teachers from across the state travel Oklahoma from Kellyville to Miami to learn more about agriculture by touring beef farms and ranches, berry and mushroom farms, and more. Applications and registration can be found beginning March 1 at agclassroom.org/ok
• When: June 5-7
• For more information, visit agclassroom.org/ok or contact Audrey Harmon, Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom coordinator, at 405-740-0160 orAudrey.harmon@ag.ok.gov.

On the Road with Ag in the Classroom

• Middle school and high school teachers from across the state visit the Noble Foundation to learn more about agriculture and its impact in Oklahoma. Applications and registration can be found beginning March 1 at agclassroom.org/ok
• When: June 19-21
• Where: The Noble Foundation, Ardmore
• For more information, visit agclassroom.org/ok or contact Audrey Harmon, Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom coordinator, at 405-740-0160 orAudrey.harmon@ag.ok.gov.

Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom State Summer Conference

• Teachers gather as they learn about using agriculture in their classrooms through lessons aligned with state standards. The event will consist of workshops led by the best AITC teachers in Oklahoma, guest speakers and recognitions for teachers who have excelled in AITC.
• When: July 13
• Where: Metro Technology Center, 1900 Springlake Dr., OKC 73111
• For more information, visit agclassroom.org/ok or contact Audrey Harmon, Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom coordinator, at 405-740-0160 orAudrey.harmon@ag.ok.gov.

–Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry

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