Fall is finally approaching, with the first official day of the season on Sept. 23. I hope that it brings with it cooler temperatures. So far, 2019 has been a roller coaster of wild weather. Deadly tornadoes, wide-spread flooding and record-breaking heat have especially taken their toll on agricultural producers across the country. Many lost entire crops in the oods, ripping away their source of income. I firmly believe that agricultural producers are the life blood of our country. The products they produce are what allows us to feed our people.

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma understands the importance of agricultural production, and the hard- ships producers face. This is where our Land Manage- ment department comes into play. They are here to protect, enhance, and improve natural resources for the Choctaw Nation. They provide technical assis- tance to agricultural producers, farmers, and ranch- ers, by hosting outreach meetings. These meetings cover topics like soil health and vegetable production. There are two demonstration sites located in Hugo and Lehigh, where they can demonstrate different agricultural practices so the agriculture producer can see results first-hand of how things work. Land Management also offers a Farmers Market Promotion Program. This United States Department of Agriculture funded grant, assists in the marketing and promotion of locally grown foods. In November, the department will implement a TSCAN unit weather station at Jones Academy. This unit will serve as a resource for Jones students for their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs. It will be an excellent tool for tribal farmers and ranchers, as well. The Land Management team will be able to compile information regarding rainfall amounts, soil moisture, and soil temperatures. Having a better understanding of these elements is key to proper management for producers.

Land Management works closely with local, state, and federal USDA programs to better serve our tribal members and conserve, protect and improve our trib-al lands. The program also hosts the annual Choctaw Nation Ag Expo at the Event Center in Durant. This year, 650 people attended the event. This was an impressive increase in attendance from last year’s 500 patrons. The 2019 event was bigger and better than ever, with added activities and vendors. The Ag Expo is a unique event, bringing together all different walks of life with one common goal. That goal is to create a better tomorrow for our land, families and food supply. The event allows producers to compare products and techniques while gaining information on available programs. It is an opportunity for our community to learn about where our food comes from. Events like this help promote awareness of natural resources and the agricultural industry. They also allow producers the opportunity to grow their network. They can meet other producers to share ideas and collaborate to solve common issues.

Our Land Management team works diligently to help our agricultural producers succeed. If you would like to learn more about the program, please call (580) 924-8280 ext. 4276 for more information.