John's Farm Oklahoma Family Farm, LLC

PROJECT PURPOSE

Sunshine Farm & Barn (SF&B), a project of John?s Farm, proposes 1960?s round top structure preservation and additional facilities to create an event/conference center on a working farm. 1) Tourism: John?s Farm hosted drive-thru farm tours during the pandemic; results accentuated people?s desire to experience rural community, sustainability connection, and thirst for revitalization. SF&B?s country setting will increase Oklahoma/Major County tourism. 2) Agri-tourism: SF&B will provide means to experience country life; SF&B will be the bridge to unite consumers and John?s Farm. 3) Regenerative: John?s Farm adopted sustainable agriculture 25 years ago; our 130-year-old Oklahoma Centennial Farm is defined by regenerative practices and 8 generations of longevity. 4): Preserve the indigenous ideals of Land Run settlers - conserving the environment/appreciating structures representative of years past. SF&B will be a visualization of where food comes from, promoting the reach of John?s Farm. 5) Cultural. SF&B will provide an authentic experience on a historical, working farm, presenting an opportunity to connect with Oklahoma since 1983 in a claim setting where sustainability is a way of life. 6) Diversification. SF&B offers a strategic concept for heightened success of John?s Farm with emphasis on economic impact to the community and State of Oklahoma.

EVIDENCE

None

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

As an Oklahoma beef producer, John?s Farm became a vulnerable population during the Covid-19 pandemic, specifically beef processing and direct sales: 1) Livestock Processing: Overnight the stable, steady handling of animal slaughter turned to frenzied, flurried mania. 2) Process Scheduling: Reasonable scheduling to facilitate inventory became chaotic booking. 3) Inventory Issues: Sufficient inventory to meet demand diminished to an empty freezer. 4) Product Delivery: Hands-on, face-to-face customer delivery befell to strategic, non-personal pick up on farm or non-contact drop delivery. John?s Farm, like other businesses, was disproportionately impacted: 1) Product availability: Temporary closing struck US big four meat processors resulting in consumer panic buying; thereby, pressuring small farms to increase inventory. 2) Businesses Lost: Trades/industries in our community closed. 3) Business Outcomes: Rising production costs decreased profit margins. NC Extension, ?Four Lessons to Build Resilience,? emphasizes agriculturists operational reorganization is crucial to success. Through diversification SF&B will pivot in offerings, giving John?s Farm a layer of protection and leverage against future pandemics while upholding and deepening historical and educational values. The SF&B project will spur economic growth, job creation, and be a source of optimism. Promoting resilience SF&B will contribute to re-building local commerce as events/conferences infuse the economy.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

a) Performance Reviews - number of/attendance at events/conferences. b) Local and State Reporting ? sales tax/assessments/tracking from City of Fairview, Major County Economic Development, OK Dept of Tourism/OK Agritourism. c) Return on Investment - dollar amount earned for amount invested in project. d) Goal Optimization ? realization of the six Project Purposes. e) Area Proprietors? Reports ? increased traffic, increased sales. f) Consumer Satisfaction ? evaluations provided by persons using/attending events/conferences. g) Productivity ? how well SF&B utilizes on-farm resources, ie barn, farm, historical/education information. Project performance to be followed by John?s Farm, with previous grant award track record, and Certified Public Accountant.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma