The oklahoma local agriculture collaborative (OLAC) will be a cross-sector statewide partnership among universities, state agencies, non-profit organizations, farmers markets, and agricultural…

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service awarded a $1,353,055 Regional Food System Partnerships grant to the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center on October 31, 2021 to fund the Oklahoma Local Agriculture Collaborative (OLAC) through October 30, 2024. OLAC will strengthen and grow the capacity of Oklahoma's local agriculture through three main initiatives - improving communication and access to underutilized resources, developing technical support systems to foster innovative practices, and creating a statewide registration and membership network for producers and direct-to-consumer markets.

Key products and services include developing a digital resource hub, providing virtual and in-person regional trainings, and technical resources for business expansion. Sub-awards were provided to Healthy Oklahomans Nutrition Alliance Inc. to assist with developing agripreneurship learning modules, an industry best practices directory, and organized training workshops. Langston University will also assist by developing similar agripreneurship resources and financial management tools to help farmers build budgets and plans. Both sub-awardees will support OLAC's goal of expanding local agriculture capacity across Oklahoma.

The oklahoma local agriculture collaborative (OLAC) will be a cross-sector statewide partnership among universities, state agencies, non-profit organizations, farmers markets, and agricultural entrepreneurs. The overarching goal of OLAC is to strengthen and grow the capacity of oklahoma's local agriculture in three areas: improving communication and access to underutilized resources; developing technical support systems to foster innovative practices; and creating a statewide registration and membership network for producers and direct-to-consumer markets. OLAC will specifically focus on rural markets and underserved communities to ensure that all oklahomans have equal access.needs assessments conducted in 2019 and 2021 with oklahoma farmers market managers and producers indicated a significant need for education, resources, and opportunities for networking and promotion. By providing trainings and membership options, OLAC will address these needs and create a more resilient infrastructure for oklahoma's farmers markets, food hubs, cooperatives, and other direct- to-consumer markets and producers.through the regional food systems partnership grant, OLAC will design a digital resource hub, provide virtual and in-person regional trainings, develop technical resources for business expansion, and create a membership platform for farmers and growers. OLAC will establish an advisory board- consisting of diverse members from across the state-that will guide the organization and ensure all grant goals are being addressed and met. Oklahoma has many individual efforts to improve the local food system; however, a collaborative, statewide effort with a collective vision and goals is necessary for the local food system to meet its full potential and better serve growing consumer demand.