.

>>> ARE YOU 24/7?

>> 24/7.

>> THOSE STORIES AND THE MYSTERY SURROUNDING THESE REMARKABLE PHOTOGRAPHS NEXT ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

HELLO EVERYONE.

AND WELCOME TO THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

NEARLY 3 AND A HALF MILLION OF OKLAHOMA'S 4 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

IT BEGINS ON TUESDAY, EARLIER THAN EXPECTED, THERE'S MORE VACCINE AVAILABLE, AND IT'S A COORDINATED EFFORT TO GET TEACHERS AND STAFF VACCINATED BEFORE SPRING BREAK.

FEES 3 ELIGIBILITY IS ALL ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

THAT'S AN EXTENSIVE LIST.

THAT INCLUDES TEACHERS STAFF AND STUDENTS WHO ARE 18 OR OLDER, AND NOT IN PREK THROUGH 12TH GRADE SCHOOLS.

>> THIS IS A BIG STEP, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE DIFFERENT PHASES, THIS MEANS WE'RE BRINGING ON THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE OKLAHOMAENS.

THEY'RE ELIGIBLE TO GET VACCINATED.

>> OKLAHOMA GETS THEIR OWN WEEKLY ALLOTMENT OF THE VACCINE.

THE OSAGE NATION IS MAKING VACCINATIONS AVAILABLE TO ALL TEACHERS, REGARDLESS OF TRIBAL HERITAGE.

ALSO, VISITATION TO LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES CAN RESUME WITH SOME RESTRICTIONS.

VISITORS ARE REQUIRED TO VIEW A SHORT INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO ON UNACCEPTABLE CARE TRAINING, AND AVAILABLE THROUGH THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

THE TYPE OF VISIT IS DICTATED IF THE VISITOR AND RESIDENT HAVE RECEIVED A VACCINE.

AND MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS THAT OKLAHOMA HAS MADE GREAT PROGRESS IN THE LAST 365 DAYS.

>> BECAUSE OF THAT PROGRESS, NOW IS THE TIME TO REUNITE OKLAHOMA FAMILIES AND LET THEM VISIT THEIR LOVED ONES SAFELY.

>> ONE YEAR IN THE PANDEMIC, ISOLATION HAS TAKEN A TOLL ON THE RESIDENTS.

>> THERE ARE NOW LESS THAN 1,000 ACTIVE CASES OF COVID-19 IN OKLAHOMA.

AND THE SEVEN DAY AVERAGE CONTINUES TO DROP.

FROM 648 LAST WEEK TO 544 THIS WEEK.

HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE UNDER 300.

THE STATE IS CONTINUING TO -- TOTAL DEATHS.

THAT'S OBVIOUSLY THE MOST IMPORTANT TO FIGURE IN THE ONE THAT'S NOT SHOWING THE PROGRESS JUST YET.

THE DEATH TOLL IS NOW AT UNDER 75 OKLAHOMAENS.

AND THERE'S THIS ENCOURAGING NEWS.

OKLAHOMA IS DOING WELL, COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE COUNTRY IN TERMS OFS THE PROPOSEDNESS OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH DISASTER.

FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, OKLAHOMA IS IN THE HIGH TIER.

>>> THERE'S CERTAIN AREAS THE STATE HAS DONE VERY WELL.

THEY'VE INCREASED THE HEALTH BUDGETS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT'S CONSISTENTLY.

AND OKLAHOMA IS ACCREDITED BOTH IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

>> THEY LOOK AT TEN INDICATORS OF THE -- THE ORGANIZATION IS ISSUING THE REPORT SINCE 2003.

>>> GUN LAWS GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION IN THE LEGISLATURE.

TUESDAY ALONE, A DOZEN FIREARM BILLS WERE CONSIDERED.

SECOND AMENDMENT ADVOCATES ARE SEEKING TO -- BILL 631 MAKES OKLAHOMA A SANCTUARY STATE.

>> BILLS A WALL OF PROTECTION AROUND OUR GOD GIVEN BLOOD BOUGHT CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS.

>> MOMS SAY THE MECHANISM -- THIS BILL IS NOT NECESSARY.

>> I FEEL LIKE THERE'S ALREADY A PLACE TO ADDRESS THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT, AND I DON'T SEE WHY THIS BILL IS NOT NECESSARY.

>> OKLAHOMA'S SECOND AMENDMENT -- DISAGREES.

>> SENATE BILL 631 IS A RESPONSE BACK TO A FEDERAL OVERREACH IN THE PROPORTION THAT THE OKLAHOMA WILL NOT ACCEPT FEDERAL MONEY TO DO THE FEDERAL WORK OF UNCONSTITUTIONAL ACTS.

>> THE SPONSORS SAY IT'S ONLY RIGHT TO SEND A CONSTITUTIONAL AMEND.

>> THE SECOND AMENDMENT IS GOD GIVEN RIGHT.

THERE'S ENCROACHMENTS ON THAT FROM VARIOUS PARTIES AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE TAKE LEGAL ACTION TO PROTECT THAT RIGHT.

>> SENATE BILL DID PASS AND UP FOR COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT IN THE HOUSE.

>>> ANOTHER GUN RELATED MEASURE WOULD ALLOW CITY COUNCILS -- FOR POLICE TO CARRY A WEAPON IF THEY HAVE A STATE PERMIT.

>> THE ATTACK ON EMPLOYEES IN OTHER [INAUDIBLE].

THAT HAD NO WAY TO RESPOND IN THE MASSACRE WAS TERRIBLE.

WE FEEL IT'S A NATURAL DETERRENT.

>> THEY ASK THE AUTHOR WHAT KIND OF TRAINING IS REQUIRED BY LEGISLATION.

>> LIABILITY AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO BE SAFE HANDLING A FIREARM.

I'M NOT A CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR.

I HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE COURSE, AND THERE'S A BACKGROUND CHECK.

>> HE SAYS SENATE BILL 644 IS RISKY.

>> I THINK IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO INCREASE GUN VIOLENCE PARTICULARLY THROUGH UNINTENTIONAL SHOOTINGS.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING I SUPPORT.

>> A LIABILITY IN THE STATELY, THE BILL STATES THAT A CITY SHOULD NOT BE LIABLE FOR UNLAWFUL DAMAGE IF INJURIES -- [INAUDIBLE].

>> THE SENATE AS WELL, AN INCIDENT AT RESTAURANT SHORTLY AFTER THE STATE'S CONSTITUTIONAL PERMIT CARRY LAW WENT IN EFFECT RESULTED IN BILL 646.

>> ANYWHERE IN THE RESTAURANT AS LONG AS HE OR SHE IS NOT CONSUMING ALCOHOL.

THIS BILL ALLOWS FOR EMPLOYEES IN A BAR TO CARRY FIREARMS WITH THE OWNER'S PERMISSION.

>> AND CONTENDS THAT DECISION PUTS A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY ON THE BAR OWNERS.

>> IT MAKES BARTENDERS, SERVERS, SECURITY BASICALLY.

THEY GO TO A PERSON WHO'S ARMED WITH A FIREARM AND ASKS THEM TO LEAVE.

>> AND OVER THE HOUSE, MUCH OF THE SAME PROPOSED LEGISLATION IS PUT IN A GUN MEASURE, HOUSE BILL 4645.

>> THE CHANGES IN THIS AMENDMENT AS ADDING THE MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEE CARRY AND FURTHER CLEANUP LANGUAGE, WE WANTED TO PUT IT ALL IN ONE RATHER THAN TRYING TO TRACK DOWN THE PAGE NUMBERS.

>> IT INCLUDES A PREEMPTION CLAUSE, TO RESTRICT THEM FROM MAKING THEIR OWN GUN RELATED ORDINANCES AND ARE STATUTES.

>> WE SHOULD ALLOW THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO FURTHER POINT OF VIEW GUN VIOLENCE, DEPENDING ON THEIR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT.

>> THE PREEMPTION RULE WILL REMAIN INTACT.

>>> ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE DEADLINE PASSED ON THURSDAY.

IT'S CALLED THE HOUSE OF ORIGIN, IT REQUIRES THE THIRD READING FROM THE HOUSE THEY ORIGINATED FROM.

TO TALK ABOUT THAT, HERE'S JASON AND THE CAPITOL NEWS DIRECTOR SEAN ASHLEY.

>> HOW WILL THIS HELP PEOPLE WITHOUT CURRENT ID GET THEIR PRESCRIPTION?

>> THAT'S THE ISSUE, THERE'S BEEN PROBLEMS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN TERMS OF ISSUING NEW DRIFRZ LICENSE AND ID -- DRIVERS LICENSE IS ID CARDS.

FOR OPIOID PRESCRIPTIONS, YOU DO HAVE TO HAVE AN ID.

HOUSE BILL 1246 INDIVIDUALS ARE ABLE TO USE THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER IN ORDER TO DO THAT, ALLOWING THEM TO MAKE THE PRESCRIPTION PURCHASES THAT THEY MAY NOT OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO.

BUT KEEP IN MIND, THEIR ACTUAL ID IS ONLY EXPIRED ONE YEAR OR LESS.

>> A BILL NAMED FOR FIRST LADY -- >> IT DEALS WITH IDS.

YOU MAY RECALL BACK IN 2019, THERE WERE A LARGE NUMBER OF OFFENDERS WHO SENTENCES WERE COMMUTATED.

WORKED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO GET THE OFFICIALS INTO THE PRISON FACILITIES SO THEY COULD GET THE IDS ISSUED.

WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO COORDINATE TO PROVIDE STATE ISSUED IDS TO OFFENDERS.

THERE'S A PROVISION TO ALLOW SEVERAL INSTANCES TO BE AGGRAVATED.

IF THE VALUE IS MORE THAN $1,000, THAN AN INDIVIDUAL COULD FACE FELONY SENTENCES FOR THAT.

THIS SHORTENS THAT PERIOD OF TIME.

DOWN TO 180 DAYS.

IT HAD BEEN AS LITTLE AS 90 AND NOW THEY'RE LOOKING AT PUTTING IT AT 180 DAY MARK.

>> HOUSE BILL 2504 LOOKS TO INCREASE THE STATE AUTHORITY OVER THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, HOW SO?

>> IT MAKES THE NUMBER OF CHANGES RELATED TO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE AND THE CITY COUNTY HEALTH THE PRESIDENTS.

THE STATE COMMISSIONER IS ABLE TO APPOINT A MEMBER, THE LOCAL ON HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS EXPECTED TO COORDINATE WITH THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND THEY'RE PROHIBITED FROM HAVING RULE OF STANDARDS AT THE STATE LEVEL.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

>>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

FORMER IOWA GOVERNOR IS CONFIRMED AS PRESIDENT BIDEN'S SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.

IF THE NAME AND POSITION SOUNDS FAMILIAR, HE SERVED IN THE SAME ROLE IN THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION.

WE SPOKE WITH CONGRESSMAN AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU TO FIND OUT.

>> HE RECENTLY CONFIRMED AS THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE IN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

I SPOKE WITH LUCAS WHO REPRESENTS ONE OF THE LARGEST AGRICULTURAL REGION IN THE NATION.

HERE'S WHAT HE HOPES TO SEE.

>> WHEN PUSH COMES TO SHOVE, MAKING SURE THAT THE AMERICAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS CAN RAISE AND FOOD AND FIBERS THAT CONSUMERS NEED.

>> HE PREVIOUSLY LED THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION.

>> I'M BACK IN, AND I ALSO REALIZE THIS IS A DIFFERENT TIME.

AND I AM A DIFFERENT PERSON, AND IT'S A DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT.

>> IN HIS FIRST TIME TLEEGD USDA.

>> WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY PASSED THE FARM BILL WHILE HE WAS SECRETARY.

HE WAS HELPFUL IN THE PROCESS.

>> HE'LL BE PLEASED TO WORK WITH HIM.

>> AGRICULTURE IS VERY DIVERSE.

WE HAVE CORN, AND BEANS, AND UP AND DOWN THE RIVERS, LIVESTOCK, PORK, BEEF, POULTRY ON THE ICE STORM SIDE, COTTON, WE'RE EVERYTHING.

>> THE PRESIDENT OF THE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU SAYS THAT -- IS IMPORTANT IN MY LEGISLATION.

>> THE DIFFERENCE OF THE RAIN WE GET AND SOIL TYPES, IT'S COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WORLDS AND THAT'S THE SAME STATE.

>> 2020 PRESENTED NEW CHALLENGES FOR FARMERS AND RANCHERS.

>> MANY OF THE COMMODITIES ARE STILL RECOVERING, THE FREEZE WE HAD A FEW WEEKS AGO, WHAT IMPACT THAT'LL HAVE ON THE CROPS IN THE GROUND, AND LATER, GETTING READY FOR THIS NEXT SPRING.

>> HE HAS A REPUTATION FOR BEING FAIR AND HE HOPES WILL CONTINUE TO LISTEN TO CONCERNS OF OKLAHOMAENS.

SECRETARY RECEIVED OVERWHELMING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN THE SENATE.

THEY VOTED TO CONFIRM HIM IN A 97-2 VOTE.

>>> OKLAHOMA ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS JOINED A -- MANDATE THAT FEDERAL AGENCIES CAN CALCULATE THE SOCIAL COSTS OF GREEN HOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.

IT WAS ADOPTED WITHOUT PUBLIC INPUT?

>>> MONDAY WAS A GOOD DAY FOR JONES.

>> JULIUS JONES.

LARRY MORRIS?

YES.

ALAN CALL -- >> BY THE 3 TO 1 MARGIN, VOTED TO ADVANCE HIS APPLICATION TO STAGE TWO.

WHICH MEANS THE BOARD WILL UNDERTAKE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE CASE.

HE'S BEEN ON DEATH ROW FOR TWO DECADES AFTER CONVICTED OF MURDERING BUSINESSMAN IN 1999.

THERE'S A RENEWED INTEREST.

A NEW EXHIBIT CALLED FACES OF FWREEN WOOD, OPENED LAST WEEK IN THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN THE WEST BUILDING.

>> THIS IS 1915, AND THEN, OF COURSE, THE MASSACRE IS HERE.

THIS IS TO EDUCATE EVERYONE WHO COMES TO GREENWOOD WITH A TANGIBLE EXAMPLE OF THE BREADTH OF HISTORY.

>> THE EXPERIENCE BEGINS IN 1890, THREE DECADES BEFORE THE 1918 MASSACRE.

>> WE'RE ON CREEK NATION TERRITORY, THEY WERE ALLOTTED TO FREEMAN, AT THE BEGINNING AND THAT'S HOW IT BEGINS TO GROW AS A CITY WITHIN A CITY IF YOU WILL.

YOU BEGIN AT THE END OF 1890, AND LITERALLY WALK THROUGH TIME ALL THE WAY HERE TO WHERE WE'RE STANDING IN 2020, YOU CAN SEE THE 80S BEHIND ME, RIGHT THERE, AND YOU LITERALLY WALK AND VIEW THE STORY OF TULSA, THE STORY OF GREENWOOD, THE STORY OF BLACKWALL STREET.

>> THE VIBE -- >> IT'S REALLY KIND OF HEAVY TO DEAL WITH.

THAT'S WHY WE INCLUDED SO MANY AMAZING THINGS OF OUR HISTORY.

>> WHAT CAME AFTERWARDS.

>> EXACTLY.

>> THE TIME LINE END WHERE ANOTHER BEGINS.

>> WE KNOW THAT THE EARLIEST PHOTOGRAPH IS IN 1922, THE LATEST ONE IS -- >> MARK CARLSON IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE SPECIAL COLLECTIONS.

>> AS BAD AS EVERYTHING WAS, THE FOLKS OF GREENWOOD WERE RESILIENT.

THEY TRIED TO COME BACK AND REBUILD THEIR LIVES.

THE HISTORY OF GREENWOOD IS MORE THAN JUST A VERY IMPORTANT 18 HOURS.

BUT, EXTREMELY LONG HISTORY OF PEOPLE LIVING IN A COMMUNITY.

>> RANDALL STUDIO, IS THAT WHO'S TAKING ALL THE PHOTOS?

>> NO, THEY'RE THE PEOPLE DEVELOPING THE PHOTOS.

>> WHO TOOK THEM ALL?

>> SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURES.

THIS IS FROM A SCRAPBOOK.

SNAPSHOTS, AND JUST PEOPLE DOCUMENTING THEIR LIVES LIKE WE DO WITH OUR PHONES.

>> HE DOESN'T KNOW WHO THE PEOPLE IN THE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE.

A MYSTERY THIS PUBLIC DISPLAY HE HOPES WILL SOLVE.

>> IF ANYONE RECOGNIZES ANY OF THESE PEOPLE.

I NEED CLUES TO INFORM THEM.

-- IDENTIFY THEM.

IF THE FAMILIES COME FORWARD, AND SAY, THOSE ARE OUR PICTURES, I'LL MAKE YOU COPIES.

>> THIS IS THROUGH THE CELEBRATIONS OF THE CENTENNIAL.

AND THE END OF THAT, WE HOPE TO MOVE IT SOMEWHERE NEW.

>> BOOK YOUR TIME TO VISIT.

>>> WHILE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ADAPT TO THE WORLD OF VIRTUAL LEARNING, MORE AND MORE EMPLOYEES ARE LEARNING ABOUT VIRTUAL TRAINING.

>> THE FIRST THING THAT COMES TO MIND IS VIDEO GAMES.

SOME FORM OF ENTERTAINMENT.

BUT LATELY, VR HAS COME TO OKLAHOMA NOT AS A TOY BUT A TOOL.

>> WE QUICKLY REALIZED THERE'S NO SOFTWARE TO RUN IT.

THE HARDWARE AND CONTENT WAS ENTERTAINMENT CONTENT, AND IT'S REALLY CHALLENGING FOR YOUR BUSINESS.

WE PIVOTED AWAY FROM THAT, AND STARTED A SOFTWARE COMPANY.

WE BUILT SOFTWARE THAT HELPS BUSINESSES DEPLOY THE VR.

>> IT REACHES BEYOND GAMING TO WORK PLACE TRAINING.

>> TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MODERN ECONOMY, YOU HAVE TO HAVE EDUCATION.

WITH THE PACE OF CHANGE, IT'S ONGOING EDUCATION.

WITH THAT DEMAND, HOW DO WE ADDRESS THAT IN A REALLY POWERFUL AND IMPACTFUL WAY AND WE NEED TO TERM THE TECHNOLOGY, NOT EVERYONE LIVES NEXT TO A CAREER TECH CENTER.

>> WITH PROGRAMS FROM MEAT PROCESSING TO AEROSPACE ENGINEERING.

>> THEY HAVE PLUG IN'S THAT ALLOW THE DEVELOPERS TO GO IN AND MANIPULATE THING WITH VR.

>> IT'S USED TO DESIGN VIDEO CAME BACK CHARACTERS, AND YOUR F-150.

>> THE COLLABORATION IS SO MUCH BETTER.

IF YOU HAVE MULTIPLE ONES AND THEY'RE WORKING AS TEAMS, THEY CAN CHAT IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF SCHOOL OR AT HOME, THEY CAN HAVE THE REAL TIME COLLABORATION.

>> AT OU, YOU CAN FIND MED STUDENTS PRACTICING FOR SURGERY.

>> PLACE THE TUBES THROUGH THE WALL, AND THROUGH THAT, WE CAN EXCHANGE A CAMERA ON A STICK OR INSTRUMENTS.

>> THOSE CONTROLS ARE REPLICATED EXACTLY IN A VR LAB, TO REPLICATE THE PROCEDURES.

>> I CAN TELL IMMEDIATELY, I HAVE AN RESIDENT IF THEY'VE SPENT TIME ON THE SIMULATOR.

I HAVE MORE CONFIDENCE IN THEM, I CAN GIVE THEM MORE RESPONSIBLE IN THE OPERATION.

>> THIS IS A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE TEACHING TOOL.

>> ONE OF THE GROUPS THAT'S DOING A LOT OF PUBLISHING ON THIS, IS PRICE WATER HOUSE COOPER.

PWC.

LAST YEAR THEY PUBLISHED A FANTASTIC STUDY AND THEY SAID LEARNERS LEARNING FOUR TIMES FASTER THAN IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> VR IS REALLY REALLY GOOD WHEN DOING THINGS DANGEROUS, DIFFICULT OR EXPENSIVE.

>> ONE EXAMPLE, OIL RIG EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

>> OIL AND GAS IS ONE OF THE FIRST COMPANIES IS THAT STARTED OFF WITH THIS TRAINING, YOU CAN PUT AN EMPLOYEE IN THAT SITUATION.

YOU CAN PUT HIM IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION OF A FIRE BREAKING OUT, IT BUILDS THEIR MUSCLE MEMORY.

I HAVE TO STOP, MOVE HERE, HIT THIS -- NOW YOU HAVE EMPLOYEES GOING INTO WORK SITUATION.

MUCH BETTER PREPARED THAN IF TAKING A TEST.

>> OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

THEY'RE PREDICTS THE VIRTUAL TECHNOLOGY COULD BE A HALF BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY IN THE NEXT DECADE.

>>> WE HIT THE ROAD FOR NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA TO VISIT ONE OF THE LARGEST AND SUCCESSFUL MUSHROOM FARMS IN AMERICA.

>> JM FARMS IN MIAMI, PRODUCES MORE THAN 27 MILLION POUNDS OF MUSHROOMS IN A YEAR.

HE OPENED HIS OWN MUSHROOM FARM HERE, AND HE NEVER LOOKED BACK.

>> BACK THEN, YOU COULD ONLY TRANSPORT MUSHROOMS SUCCESSFULLY ABOUT 400 MILES.

VIRGIL AND HIS BROTHER DECIDED IN OKLAHOMA, IN NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA, WE COULD REACH WITHIN 400 MILES, KANSAS CITY, MAJOR MARKETS, OKLAHOMA CITY, LITTLE ROCK, DALLAS.

>> WHEN THEY OPENED IN 79, JM FARMS HAD 40 EMPLOYEES.

AND PRODUCED 40 THOUSAND POUNDS OF MUSHROOMS A WEEK.

>> THIS AREA IS WHERE WE MAKE THE COMPOST.

>> THIS IS WHERE IT BEGINS AND ENDS IN A MUSHROOM FARM.

>> THE ORGANIC MATTER MATTERS.

IT'S ABOUT THREE WEEKS OUT HERE, IT'S THE FOOD FOR THE MUSHROOM.

>> ONCE IT SITS OUT FOR THREE WEEKS, IT GOES IN A HUGE YELLOW HOPPER.

>> OUR OLD ONE WAS CALLED BIG MAMA, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY CALL THIS ONE.

>> THE COMPOST IS CHURNED AND SENT THROUGH A TUNNEL, WHERE IT'S PAST -- >> IT'S 200 WET TONS OF COMPOST PER DAY.

WE TRY TO FILL 364 DAYS A YEAR.

>> I'M NOT SMELLING PERFUME, WHAT'S THAT SMELL?

>> THE BREAK DOWN OF ORGANIC MATTER.

WE DO IT ON SUCH A LARGE SCALE, YOU'LL ALWAYS HAVE A BIT OF AN ODOR.

>> THE COMPOSTING GOES THROUGH ANOTHER MACHINE WHERE THE MUSHROOM SEEDS ARE ADDED.

IT'S CALLED SPAWNING.

THEY'RE PUT IN WOODEN TRAYS.

>> THE MUSHROOMS MATURE, AND THEN WE COME TO A GROWING ROOM.

THEY'LL STAY HERE UNTIL DAY 35.

>> IT'S IN THAT WINDOW FROM DAY 15 TO 35, WHERE WHERE THE CROP IS PICKED.

>> WE GROW THREE VARIETIES.

>> THE PICKERS EARN UP TO $20 AN HOUR.

BUT YOU HAVE TO MOVE FAST.

>> EVERYTHING IS HAND PICKED.

THERE'S GOOD HARVESTERS, 100, TO 120 POUNDS AN HOUR.

>> IT IS POPULAR, IT'S A BUSY TIME RIGHT NOW.

>> DEFINITIVELY, WE'RE HEARING THINGS ON FACEBOOK ALL THE TIME, THEY'RE USING OUR MUSHROOMS IN THE SALADS AND DIFFERENT THINGS OR THE COMPOST TO GROW VEGETABLES.

>> THEY'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR GOOD HELP.

>> WE START A NEW CROP EVERY DAY.

WE DO 365 -- >> WHERE DO THE MUSHROOMS GO?

EVERYWHERE.

MOSTLY IN THE MIDDLE U.S. >> TODAY WE CAN TRANSPORT MUSHROOMS CLEAR ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

BECAUSE OF AIR RIDE TRAILERS, AND COMPUTER DRIVEN REEFERS.

>> A LARGE CHUNK STAYS LOCAL.

THERE'S 20 -- THEY USE 300,000 POUNDS OF THEIR MUSHROOMS EACH YEAR.

>> HE NOW LIVES IN ARIZONA.

>> I THINK VIRGIL IS 91 OR 92 NOW?

HE WAS A YOUNG MAN WHEN HE STARTED THIS, 50?

THAT'S A GOOD AGE TO START A COMPANY LIKE THIS.

BUT HE WORKED SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

>> OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>>> THANK YOU.

>>> IT'S AMAZING THE NUMBER OF PRODUCTS MADE AND GROWN IN OKLAHOMA.

MUSHROOMS, SHOPPING CARTS, FLIGHT SIMULATORS, ARTIFICIAL GRASS AND BLUE JEANS, AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

A MAJORITY OF THE BUSINESSES ARE SMALL BUSINESS.

>> THANK YOU, YES WE'RE HERE TO DISCUSS ALL THINGS OKLAHOMA.

WHEN IT COMES TO AGRICULTURE.

AND WE'RE JOINED BY PANEL OF GUESTS ABOUT WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT NOT ONLY FOR YOU, OUR VIEWERS, BUT OUR OKLAHOMA AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY.

I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU, JENNA RENLEY.

GEORGE LEMON.

MICALA -- AND SCOTT BLOOMBA.

I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'D LIKE TO BEGIN BY HAVING EACH OF YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR PROGRAM.

>> THE MADE IN OKLAHOMA COALITION IS FOR THE LARGER FOOD MANUFACTURERS IN OKLAHOMA, AND WE COMBINE OUR RESOURCES TO GET KIND OF DISCOUNTS ON MEDIA, TV, RADIO, AND SOCIAL MEDIA.

OUR BENEFIT TO OKLAHOMA IS WE EMPLOY 65,000 PEOPLE.

>> MY JOB IS TWO FOLD, I AM ON THE GROUND WORKING WITH OKLAHOMA PRODUCERS, FARMERS AND RANCHERS WHO WANT CONSUMERS OUT TO THEIR FARM AND RANCH TO EXPERIENCE AGRICULTURE.

SOME FUN SPRING THINGS COMING UP.

WE HAVE YOU PICK FARMS IN OKLAHOMA, PICK OTHER FLOWERS AS WELL IN THE SUMMER AND FALL.

AND THEN, YOU CAN GO PET AN ALPACA OR OTHER ANIMALS IN A PETTING FARM.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE IS YOU PICK BERRY FARMS.

ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES FAMILIES CAN ENJOY AND BE OUTSIDE.

>> THERE'S A LOT GOING ON, NEXT, ABOUT TO OVER TO SCOTT.

>> AS PRESIDENT OF AMERICAN FARMS AND RANCHERS UNION, WE'RE THE SECOND LARGEST FARM ORGANIZATION IN OKLAHOMA AND WE'RE THE OLDEST.

ABOUT 170 YEARS.

BEFORE STATE HOOD.

WE'RE EXCITED THAT WE HAVE A NEW LAW IN THE BOOKS.

THAT ALLOWS US TO DO THAT.

>> AND JENNA.

>> WHEN YOU SAY THREE TIERS TO MADE IN OKLAHOMA PROGRAM I GUESS, AND MINE IS THE BASE LEVEL.

WE WELCOME ALL TYPES OF PRODUCTS IN THE PROGRAM, FOOD, BEVERAGE AND PRODUCTS FOR YOUR PET.

LIVESTOCK, LAWN AND GARDEN, SKIN AND HEALTH CARE.

ALL OF THOSE ARE WELCOME IN THE PROGRAM.

WE HAVE OVER 500 PRODUCERS, SO THAT'S VARIETY.

AND WE'RE FUNDED BY THE STATE, AND WE USE THE RESOURCES TO MARKET OUR COMPANIES, MARKET THE SMALL BUSINESSES, AND WE DID A REBRAND AND LAUNCHED AN E-COMMERCE PORTION OF OUR WEBSITE.

GO TO OUR WEBSITE, MADEINOKLAHOMA.NET.

>> YOU HAVE A -- YOU HAVE SOMETHING EVERY YEAR WHERE MADE IN OKLAHOMA PRODUCERS ARE THERE, AND SEE THE PRODUCTS MADE IN OKLAHOMA.

THERE'S A LOT, CORRECT?

>> YES.

WE HAVE 80 MEMBERS, AND ALL THE MEMBERS SET UP TABLES, AND WE INVITE THE WHOLE TRADES, THE RETAIL PEOPLE, WHOLESALE, UNIVERSITIES, HOSPITALS COME TO THE SHOW.

THIS YEAR'S SHOW IS WEDNESDAY AUGUST 3.

>> OKAY, SO IT'S BACK ON.

>> WE'LL HAVE IT THIS YEAR.

MAYBE ALL WEARING MASKS AND VERY FEW PEOPLE, BUT WE'LL HAVE IT.

>> THE GENERAL PUBLIC CAN'T ATTEND.

>> NO IT'S FOR THE -- >> CAN YOU EXPLAIN?

>> THE BEEF ACT, REGARDING THE PANDEMIC, AND WHAT IT DOES IS DEFINES OKLAHOMA CERTIFIED BEEF AS CATTLE THAT ARE BRED, BORN, RAISED AND PROCESSED IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, AND THEN ELIGIBLE TO BE OKLAHOMA CERTIFIED BEEF.

IT'S A BIT DIFFERENT THAN THE MADE IN OKLAHOMA PROGRAM, BUT IT IS SIMILAR.

FOR THE FARMER AND RANCHER, TO SELL TO OUR STATES RESTAURANTS, OUR SUPER MARKETS, AND IN STATE, AND MOORE OF THE RETAIL FOOD DOLLAR HERE IN RURAL OKLAHOMA, IN OUR PRODUCER'S POCKETS, INSTEAD OF IT GOING OVERSEAS, OR IN SOME BIG CORPORATION OUT OF STATE, IT'LL ALL STAY RIGHT HERE.

AND THEY HELP BUILD OUR ECONOMY.

WE'RE SEEING A REBIRTH OF THE SMALL MOM AND POP PROCESSING PLANTS IN THE STATE.

WE'RE REALLY EXCITED OF THE PROGRAM.

>> WAS IT PUT TOGETHER AS A RESULT OF RECENT TRADE ISSUES OR THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR A WHILE.

>> THE PANDEMIC I THINK BROUGHT IT TO THE CONSUMER'S ATTENTION.

SO LAST SPRING WE SAW SEVERAL MARKET SHELVES EMPTY.

THE PLANTS WERE SHUT DOWN OR SLOWED DOWN.

THIS REALLY PUTS AN EMPHASIS BACK ON LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION, BEING CONSUMED LOCALLY.

OR TO REST IN THE STATE BORDERS.

WE WERE ABLE TO SERVE THE GOVERNOR THE FIRST OKLAHOMA CERTIFIED BEEFSTEAK A FEW WEEKS AGO.

THAT'S THE ONLY FOUR STAR DIAMOND RESTAURANT IN OKLAHOMA.

WE'RE OFF TO A GREAT START WITH THE PROGRAM.

>> HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT THE BEEF IS RAISED IN OKLAHOMA?

>> BEING A THIRD PARTY -- SYSTEM WE WITHDREWS, THE AFFIDAVIT SYSTEM.

THE FARMER OR RANCHER THAT EACH ONE OF THE PROCESSES, BRED, BORN AND RAISED AND PROCESSED, WILL HAVE A THIRD PARTY VERIFY THAT'S A TRUE STATEMENT AND THE PRODUCER, THE RANCHER HIMSELF VERIFIES THAT IN A SWORN STATEMENT, AND WHOEVER THE PROCESSER IS IN THE STATE, WILL ALSO SIGN OFF OF THAT.

WE KEEP ALL THE RECORDS OF THAT.

KEEP AUDITS, AND HAVE INTEGRITY IN THE PROGRAM.

THE CONSUMER CAN BE CONFIDENT THEY'RE BUYING AN OKLAHOMA PRODUCT, RAISED, PRODUCED AND PROCESSED BY OKLAHOMAENS.

>> AND I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S POPULAR NOT ONLY IN OKLAHOMA BUT ACROSS THE NATION.

THERE'S SO MUCH TO DO.

I HAVE A LOT OF EXCITING THINGS GOING ON.

>> TRAILS ARE A LIST OF PROBABLY LIKE BUSINESSES THAT ARE NEXT TO EACH OTHER.

RIGHT NOWS WE HAVE CURRENTLY THE OKLAHOMA WINE TRAILS.

AND THE BERRY FARMS, AND YOU CAN PICK YOUR OWN JELLY MAKING INGREDIENTS.

I DO HAVE SOME EXCITING NEWS WE'RE IN THE WORKS RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE WORKING ON THE OKLAHOMA CRAFT BEER TRAIL, HOPING TO BE LAUNCHING THAT THIS SUMMER.

AND WORKING WITH ALL OF THESE BREWERIES AND THE CRAFT BEER INDUSTRY.

>> I THINK GEORGE SAT UP STRAIGHTER.

>> I LIKE THAT IDEA.

>> IT'LL BE FUN.

>> IT IS INTERESTING.

PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW, AND THE MORE THAT THE GENERAL POPULATION UNDERSTANDS WHERE THE FOOD IS COMING FROM, IS THAT AN UNDERLYING ISSUE IS TO CREATE MORE OF A BOND BETWEEN THE CONSUMERS AND THOSE PROVIDING THE FOOD THEY CONSUME.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO, IS TO CONNECT THE PRODUCER WITH THE CONSUMER.

ABLE TO STEP ON THE FARM, AND SEE HOW A PRODUCT IS RAISED AND GROWN.

TO SEE THE HARD WORK THE FRAERM AND RANCH IRIS PUTTING IN THEIR -- IS PUTTING IN THEIR PRODUCT, IT'S -- AND WITH COVID-19 THIS YEAR, WE SAW AN UPTICK IN THE AMOUNT OF CONSUMERS WANTING TO SHOP LOCAL, AND GET THEIR KIDS OUTSIDE.

AND EXPERIENCE WHAT GRANDMA OR WHO CAN'T UNDERSTAND PA -- GRANDPA DID.

TO SHOP LOCAL AND SUPPORT THE NEIGHBORS WAS A BIG HIT THIS YEAR.

>> WHEN YOU GET A CATTLE DRIVE ON THE AVERAGE TOURISM, THAT WOULD BE A LOT OF FUN.

SIGN A WAIVER.

>>> SCOTT, I WANT TO COME BACK TO YOU.

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE BEEF INDUSTRY IN OKLAHOMA RIGHT NOW?

>> I WOULD SAY, VERY MUCH SO WITH THE PANDEMIC, CONSUMERS HAD TO GO ELSEWHERE TO BUY THEIR MEAT BECAUSE OF THE SHORTAGES WE SAW LAST APRIL.

AS THEY GOT TO BUY THE LOCAL MEAT, AND REDISCOVER THEY COULD BUY IT FROM A LOCAL FARMER OR RANCHER THEY LOVE THE PRODUCT, AND [INAUDIBLE].

AND PROCESSED BEEF, SO THEY LOVE THE QUALITY AND THEY'RE HOOKED ON IT.

NOW THAT IS WHERE THEY WANT TO BUY IT, DIRECTLY FROM THE FARMER AND RANCHER.

>> BACK TO YOU, GEORGE SAID, 80 OKLAHOMA PRODUCTS, IS THAT ALL OF THEM OR IS THERE MORE TO BE GATHERED IN THE FOLD?

>> WE STARTED WITH 6 YEARS AGO.

WE JUST BROUGHT ON FIVE NEW MEMBERS, BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, I HAVE NOT MET THESE PEOPLE YET.

WE DID IT ALL THROUGH ZOOM.

>> I DON'T KNOW GEORGE IF YOU WANT TO ANSWER THIS, HOW ARE THE MADE IN OKLAHOMA PRODUCTS DOING IN THE LAST YEAR OF THE PANDEMIC.

HAVE THEY SEEN A DECREASE IN SALES?

>> I THINK IT DEPENDS ON THE PRODUCT AND THE SIZE OF THE BUSINESS.

THE SMALLER COMPANIES HURT A LOT.

AND THE COMPANIES IN THE PROGRAM TOO, MAYBE THIS IS THEIR SIDE HUSTLE, AND THEY COULDN'T MEET THE ORDERS.

BUT EVERYONE NEEDS TO EAT.

GEORGE YOU CAN SPEAK ON GETTING THEM ON THE GROCERY SHELVES.

>> AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

TO SAY WHAT JENNA SAID, WE HAD KIND OF THE SAME THING.

IT WAS THROUGH THE ROOF.

ON OF THE MEMBERS, HAD THE PRODUCT COPACKERS, AND THEY SHUT DOWN.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE PRODUCT TO SELL FOR FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS.

THEY'RE STILL STRUGGLING, BUT WE HAD NOTHING GOING ON, AND WE POOLED OUR RESOURCES, AND PUT OUT A COMMERCIAL SHOWING THAT THE COMPANIES WERE STILL MAKING FOOD FOR THE SHELF.

>> THERE'S A LOT MORE INFORMATION THAT VIEWERS CAN GET FROM THE WEBSITE.

I'LL GO AROUND, EACH OF YOU TO SHARE THE WEBSITE.

CHECK IN AND SEE HOW TO PARTICIPATE.

>> YES, THE MADE IN OKLAHOMA COALITION IS VERY SIMPLE.

www.madeinoklahomacoalition.com.

>> WE ALSO HAVE FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM, FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL.

>> AND SCOTT.

>> THE AFR.COOP.COM.

>> WONDERFUL, DID GEORGE GET IT RIGHT?

>> WE'RE SEPARATE, WE HAVE TWO SEPARATE WEBSITES.

CHECK OUT THE COALITION FOR THEM.

FOR HOURS A COMPLETE LIST ALL OF THE PRODUCERS ARE LISTED THERE.

RETAILERS IN THE STATE.

>> THAT'S EXCITING, I'LL CHECK THAT OUT.

I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US, AND EVERYTHING YOU DO TO KEEP OUR AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY UP AND RUNNING IN OKLAHOMA.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> AGRITOURISM, TOWN ON THE FARM IN MICHIGAN.

WE HAVE PBS PARTNERS IN MOUNT PLEASANT, MICHIGAN.

>> THEY HAVE A SPECIAL, SOMETHING THEY DO GOOD.

HALEY AND HANNAH ARE MORE FORWARD AND HONEST AND GET A JOB DONE QUICKER.

>> SHE SOUNDS LIKE A VERY PROUD MOM.

>> HALEY IS THE BIG GIRL.

SHE DOES A LOT OF OUR SINGLE HORSE LOOK.

AND HANNAH, SHE'S 6 MONTHS PREGNANT, WE'RE STILL WORKING HER.

>> THEY'RE SO BIG.

>> YEP.

>> REAL BIG.

SOME TIP THE SCALE AS OVER A TON.

SUSAN, IS TALK ABOUT HER HERD OF NINE DRAFT HORSES THAT SHE AND HER HUSBAND ARE RAISING ON THEIR FARM NEAR BENZONIA.

THIS 120 ACRE FARM HAS BEEN IN HER FAMILY SINCE 1960.

>> I'VE BEEN DRIVING HORSES SINCE 2006.

THAT'S WHAT CULMINATED ALL THIS.

MOST OF OUR BUSINESS AT THAT TIME, WAS NOT PLAY RIDE, IT WAS OUTSIDE STUFF.

DOING THINGS FOR THE VILLAGES, AND PERSONAL STUFF.

LAST YEAR WAS OUR FIRST BIG SLAY RIDE SEASON.

>> THIS WHOLE THING STARTED WITH LEVI.

HE HAS ALLERGIES, SO HE NEEDS A BREAK IN THE SUMMER.

THEY NEEDED ANOTHER HORSE, AND THEN ANOTHER.

AND ANOTHER.

>> IT'S IN YOUR BLOOD, THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

AND THEN WE HAVE PEOPLE COME WITH THE LITTLE KIDS.

SHE'S ALWAYS WANTED A HORSE, I SAID, BE CAREFUL, YOU'RE STARTING SOMETHING.

>> DRAFT IS THE NAME FOR PULLING SOMETHING.

>> WE TELL PEOPLE TO ESTIMATE BEING HERE AT LEAST AN HOUR AND 15 MINUTES.

THE RIDE IS 45 TO 55 MINUTES.

WE HAVE FOUR BREAK STOPS FOR THE HORSES ON THE TRAIL.

THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO ASK QUESTIONS, AND LOOK AROUND.

WE HAVE ABOUT SIX YEARS >> MY FAVORITE PART ARE THE PEOPLE WE NEED.

WE HAVE PEOPLE COME, THIS IS NEW FOR THEM.

THE SECOND FAVORITE PART IS THE HORSES.

WHAT ARE THEY HONEY?

THEY'RE OUR PRIDE AND JOY.

>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, IN HONOR OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, WE'LL SAY GOOD-BYE TO THE ARTS AND -- CENTER.

I'M -- STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY, AND STAY TUNED TO OETA.

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