November 16, 2022 Issue, Page 12 of 17

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November 16, 2022 AG/News ‘The Elk City News - 3 Recycled tire gardens yield Candidate Filing learning experiences Begins For Board By Trisha Gedon tires for something good and tunity for youth because many fact that they grew food that are not exposed to gardening is being served to the whole keep them out of the landfill,” Of Education STILLWATER - A Hughes Mitchell said. “We worked with at home. The students will be school.” County recycled tire garden Scott Robison, community able to learn more about where McGee said this cross-cur- Candidates for the Board of Education in ten Beckham County project has been recognized as health director at the Wewo- their food comes from and un- riculum teaching has been school districts will file Declarations of Candidacy beginning 8 a finalist for the Keep Oklaho- ka Indian Health Center, who derstand that living from the successful in the school, and a.m. Monday, December 5, 2022. ma Beautiful Environmental chose the sites for the gar- land was a natural way of life they plan to continue to use Sherron Manning, Secretary of the Beckham County Election Excellence award. The program dens.” for their ancestors. the garden throughout the Board, said Declaration of Candidacy forms must be complet- focuses on teaching Choctaw Gardens were built at Hold- In addition to gardening year. They'll research different ed and submitted to the County Election Board no later than Nation youth and adults to enville Elementary School, skills, Robison said the recy- grow and market culturally rel- Holdenville Indian Commu- dled tire project includes plans fertilizers and different mix- 5 p.m. Wednesday, December 7th when the filing period ends. tures of soil to help determine Manning reminds voters that Contests of Candidacy must be evant crops. nity Center, Wetumka Public to incorporate nutritional ed- KOB has recognized and re- Schools, the Wetumka Indian ucation, cooking demonstra- the best methods for growing. filed no later than Friday, December 9th and may only be filed warded Oklahomans for their Community Center and Mus- tions, recipes and more. Following the lettuce harvest, by another candidate for that office. Contests against unop- environmental efforts for 32 cogee Nation Nutrition Center. “Overall, we want our students are planning to plant posed candidates may be filed by contacting the County Elec- years. Students painted the tire gar- youth to understand what it pansies in the winter and pos- tion Board. The recycled tire garden dens and will manage them at means to have a healthy life- sibly some bedding plants for If more than two candidates file for the same vacant Board of project was part of a Federally the school sites. Tribal elders style, which includes eating next spring. Education position, a Primary Election will be held Tuesday, Recognized Tribes Extension will manage the gardens at the fresh fruits and vegetables,” “Getting youth involved February 14, 2023. If one candidate receives more than 50% Program grant through the nutrition and community cen- Robison said. “Gardening is a in gardening is a great way to of the votes, that candidate will be named the elected official. U.S. Department of Agricul- ters. good form of exercise, which is teach them not only about ture that installed tire gardens Robison said the gardens good for both our students and where our food comes from If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes, the two in various parts of Hughes will serve as a place to grow our elders.” candidates receiving the highest number of votes will vie for but also the science behind County to provide education culturally relevant crops. Students in Wetumka Pub- what it takes to grow food,” the vacant position during the Board of Education General Elec- ‘on growing produce, said Shel- “Gardening is a way of life lic Schools put their tire gar- Mitchell said. “Recycling tires tion, April 4,2023. If only two candidates file for the same va- ley Mitchell, Oklahoma State for our people. Eating food dens to use by growing radish- that would have just gone to cant Board of Education position, those two candidates’ names University Extension associate from the earth is a symbol of es and are currently cultivating will appear on the General Election ballot in April. the landfill is an added bonus specialist for youth programs, strength, health and wellness,” different lettuces. Declarations of Candidacy will be accepted for the following of- to this project.” and served as principal inves- he said. “Today, our Native “Our horticulture class fices: OSU Extension uses re- tigator on the grant. The pro- people are one of the unhealth- partnered with our fifth and search-based information to Elk City School District, Office No. 3 gram also included educational iest populations. We've gotten sixth grade science classes help all Oklahomans solve lo- Erick School District, Office No. 3 elements and improvements away from our natural way of for this project,” said Donna to greenhouses and school gar- life. Through these gardens, McGee, Wetumka School su- cal issues and concerns, pro- Merritt School District, Office No. 3 dens throughout the Choctaw we're trying to teach our kids perintendent. “They grew and mote leadership and manage Sayre School District, Office No. 3 Nation. that gardening is very native to harvested two kinds of rad- resources wisely throughout Canute School District, Office No. 3 “The tire gardens were de- our culture.” ishes, and the cafeteria served the state’s 77 counties. Most Hammon School District, Office No. 3 signed by horticulture consul- He said the gardens provide them on our salad bar. The stu- information is available at lit- Mangum School District, Office No. 3 tant Steve Upson to use old an additional learning oppor- dents really took pride in the tle to no cost. Sentinel School District, Office No. 3 Sweetwater School District, Office No. 3 Western Technology Center, Office No. 3 OSU Extension offers tips to cut Declaration of Candidacy forms can be downloaded from the State Election Board website at oklahoma.gov/elections or by contacting your County Election Board office at 580-928-3314 cost of Thanksgiving meal or email beckhamcountyeelections.ok.gov ‘The Beckham County Election Board is located at 306 E. Main St., Sayre, OK and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday By Trisha Gedon you get the size you need. Con- Salted/roasted nuts — near- ger bite out of the budget to through Friday. sumers might also want to go ly 200% accommodate for those foods. STILLWATER - Getting ahead and pick up their Christ- “Overall, food is about 12% “It can be difficult to break roasted turkey, mashed pota- mas turkey now if that’s what higher than it was a year ago,” away from tradition because he said, “If you normally pur- ‘we always have this food for toes and gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole and pie on the is on the menu.” Holcomb said something chase a fully prepared smoked Thanksgiving,” Holcomb said. Emergency table this Thanksgiving is go- else that is affecting the avail- turkey for the holiday, be pre- “Instead of making a large tur- ing to cost consumers more ability of turkey is the demand pared to pay at least 50% more key the star of the show, con- Drought Commission than it did in 2021. for turkey meat. People are due to increased labor, energy, sider a smaller turkey and pull Rodney Holcomb, Oklaho- consuming more turkey year- transportation and delivery in a brisket or ham. Another Approves Additional ma State University Extension round in products like lunch costs.” option is to make the meal a food economics specialist, said meat, turkey bacon and turkey consumers can expect to pay sausage and as substitutes for How can consumers keep potluck. This will help ease the the price of their tradition- cost of the meal for the host $12 Million in 35%-45% more for their tur- key this year, which typical- red meat. al Thanksgiving meal more family” It's not just the turkey manageable? ‘They may have Cutting down the amount Emergency ly is the centerpiece of most that’s going to cost more this to be more creative and flexi- of food prepared can help cut ‘Thanksgiving tables. year. Just about everything ble when planning this year's the budget, too. Leftovers Drought “Bird flu has impacted the consumers traditionally buy menu. Holcomb suggests sub- are nice to have around for a availability of turkey, which for their Thanksgiving meal stituting products. While beef couple of days, but if cost is a Cost-Share Funding has also impacted the egg and costs more than it did a year is still expensive, prices have factor, preparing less food will poultry industry as a whole. ago, including: come down from a year ago, save money. While there isn’t necessarily Bread and rolls - 14%-17% due partly to the impact the OSU Extension uses re- OKLAHOMA CITY — The ed retroactively to June 11, a shortage, we're not going to Cakes and other retail bak- drought has had on ranchers search-based information to Emergency Drought Com- 2022, pending appropriate see the excess supply and af- ery items - 17% having to liquidate their herds. help all Oklahomans solve lo- mission met Wednesday and documentation is provided directed $12 million in addi- by the applicant. Appropriate ter-holiday sales we've seen in Ham - 6% The challenge can be that cal issues and concerns, pro- tional funding to the existing the past,” Holcomb said. “It’s Butter — 73% for some families, Thanksgiv- mote leadership and manage documentation will be deter- Emergency Drought Cost- a good idea to go ahead and Canned fruits/juice - 14% ing tradition is strong, and it resources wisely throughout Share Program. In addition mined by the Oklahoma Con- clear out some freezer space Canned vegetables - 16% simply isn’t the holiday with- the state's 77 counties. Most to the increase in funding, servation Commission. and purchase your turkey as Sugar and chocolate - 8%- out specific foods. If that’s the information is available at lit- the Commission directed lo- A statewide application soon as possible to help ensure 10% case, be prepared to take a big- tle to no cost. cal conservation districts to period is now open across all accept applications for all ap- conservation districts and is proved practices. set to close on November 28, Have something to share Approved practices include: 2022. water well drilling Applications submitted pri- pumping facilities or to November 9, 2022, that pipeline pasture tap have not received funding will watering facilities be considered for the updat- with the community? heavy use protection ed program. Applicants who cover crop planting (for ero- have been approved for fund- sion control) ing are not eligible to submit a forage and biomass plant- new application. ing (excluding Bermuda grass) All actions of the Commis- pond clean out sion are pending approval by Email your ‘Lettertothe Editor’to elkitynews@omal com ‘The Commission clarified Governor Kevin Stitt. The cover crops planted for the purpose of erosion control are Commission will continue to eligible for the program. meet in order to distribute the All practices included in the remaining funds appropriated. Emergency Drought Cost- by the State Legislature and Share Program may be fund- approved by the Governor.