Making hay while the sun shines

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Schoolchildren play on hay bales at Daze in a Maze near Covington. Daze in a Maze is one of the busiest destinations for the area, said Brent Kisling, executive director of Enid Regional Development Alliance, but there are other elements Enid and area communities need to pull from to make a unique, agritourism experience. (Staff File Photos)
Schoolchildren wait to start running the maze at Daze in a Maze near Covington. Daze in a Maze is one of the busiest destinations for the area, said Brent Kisling, executive director of Enid Regional Development Alliance, but there are other elements Enid and area communities need to pull from to make a unique, agritourism experience. (Staff File Photos)
Brent Kisling, executive director of Enid Regional Development Alliance, said Enid and area communities provide a unique agritourism experience. (Metro Art Photo)

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March 20, 2010

County is working to make a name for its agritourism

By Robert Barron, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle The Enid News and Eagle Sat Mar 20, 2010, 10:47 PM CDT

ENID — The Enid area is and has been an agritourism destination, but that area remains an economic potential for Garfield County, said Brent Kisling, executive director of Enid Regional Development Alliance.

“The state of Oklahoma is recognized as an agritourism area, and a position was established in the Department of Agriculture to promote agritourism,” Kisling said.

The first mission is to identify the state’s assets, and there are hundreds of places already involved in areas of agritourism — some of them right here at home. Daze in a Maze near Covington, bed and breakfast establishments, farmers markets and wineries reside in Garfield County. The new Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center also will be a destination for individuals interested in agriculture, said director Andi Holland, who has hosted tourism forums of as many as 100 people.

Daze in a Maze is one of the busiest destinations for the area, Kisling said, but there area other elements Enid and area communities need to pull from to make a unique, agritourism experience.

Wagon Creek Creamery near Helena, which hosts tours and sells products at Enid Farmers Market, could be part of the area draw, as could Cattle Tracks Beef, an organic meat business.

The state has made agritourism promotion a priority through Oklahoma Depart-ment of Agriculture, which has a map of agritourism destinations at agritourismattravel.com.

“Typically ag producers are moving beyond traditional revenue sources, like the Jantzes at Daze in a Maze,” Kisling said. “There are also some possibilities to teach non-farmers about where food comes from.”

Visitors mainly come from foreign countries to view what the state has to offer.

Abby Cash of Enid is the most recent director of Oklahoma Agritourism in the state.

Oklahoma has such a high degree of diversity it is unique among agritourism states. Oklahoma ranks among the top three states in the number of tourism districts and has received a lot of national attention as one of the leading and most aggressive promoters of agritourism in the country, Cash said.

“Oklahoma is leading the way,” she said.

The state has more than 500 attractions and events that promote agritourism, including diverse activities. Oklahoma agritourism ranges from working farms and ranches, to wine and cheese making, organic farming, hunting locations, mazes and pumpkin patches.

“From Kenton to Idabel, we have so much diversity,” she said. “It really lends itself to a neat experience.”

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Garfield County

Making hay while the sun shines
Enid area remains an economic potential for Garfield County, said Brent Kisling, executive director of Enid Regional Development Alliance.

March 20, 2010 3 Photos
Prices of ag land are seeing a bust
Jesse Lamunyon, sales associate and auctioneer with RE/MAX Premier Realtors, said the decrease is related directly to lower oil prices.

March 20, 2010 1 Photo
Market staying put, making moves
Enid Farmers Market made its debut in spring 2009 and quickly became a popular Saturday morning stop for many looking for fresh, Oklahoma-grown produce, meat, flowers, crafts and even entertainment.

March 20, 2010 2 Photos
Hammers are flying at Woodring airport
A new Enid Woodring Regional Airport rescue firefighting vehicle and maintenance building currently is under construction. The facility will house the airport’s firefighting and snow removal

March 20, 2010 1 Photo
Bridging the gaps
“The main focus is to provide the best golf course for the guests out here.’’ — Cody Lack, new head professional at Meadowlake Golf Course

March 20, 2010 1 Photo
Getting things started in Enid
Ed Miller, current Enid CVB president, said Enid Convention and Visitors Bureau helps organize events just starting and steps back as they become successful and stand on their own.

March 20, 2010 2 Photos
Koch stays active in the community
The plant, east of Enid on South 78th, has about 100 employees. It is a subsidiary of Koch fertilizer LLC, based in Wichita, Kan.

March 20, 2010 1 Photo
Husband and wife police chief, D.A. are planning smooth exit strategies
The retirement of Enid Police Department Chief Rick West and District Attorney Cathy Stocker should not impact services provided to the public or operations of either office, the husband and wife said.

March 20, 2010 1 Photo
‘Sports unites the community’
The commitment to victory starts early in a school that has won back-to-back Class B state football championships, has gone to state three straight years in boys basketball and went to state in girls basketball from 2006-08.

March 20, 2010 3 Photos
Technology saves for North Enid
North Enid Police Chief Martin Schubert said his department purchased three E-Ticket writers in January and already are seeing the results.

March 20, 2010 2 Photos
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Making hay while the sun shines

County is working to make a name for its agritourism

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