The Ponca City News
May 12, 2008 - Ponca City, Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE TO SPEAK AT SALT FORK RIVER VALLEY AGRITOURISM KICK-OFF ON JUNE 7TH
The Ponca City News
May 12, 2008 - Ponca City, Oklahoma
*The Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Terry Peach will be the keynote speaker for the Salt Fork River Valley agritourism kick-off events being held on June 7th at the Big V Ranch, Blubaugh Angus Ranch, and Silvertop Farm. Carrie Netherton of Tulsa Fox23 News will emcee the “Summer on the Salt Fork” events. Abby Cash, Oklahoma State Agritourism Director, and other Oklahoma Department of Tourism officials will attend the events.
*The three agritourism venues have joined together to develop the “Salt Fork River Valley Ranch and Farm Tours” to tap into the fastest growing segment of the tourism market in recent years. Over 63 million people visit agritourism venues in the United States annually.
*The Salt Fork River Valley agritourism events will begin at high noon with ribbon cutting ceremonies at the Big V Ranch, followed by a 2 pm kick-off at Blubaugh Angus Ranch, and a 4 pm kick-off at Silvertop Farm. Each farm or ranch will be open for tours and activities for all ages. The Big V Ranch is located at “T” Street and White Eagle Road, the Blubaugh Angus Ranch is located at 9801 W. North Avenue, and Silvertop Farm is located at 6151 W. Fountain Road. The Salt Fork River Valley is located southwest of Ponca City, Oklahoma. Each venue is located west of Highway 156 and south of Highway 60.
Additional Afternoon Activities in the Salt Fork River Valley
*A-1 Savannahs Cat Farm, 7750 W. Riverview Road, and the Ranch Drive Volunteer Fire Department, 3454 S. Ranch Drive on Highway 156, will also host open houses from 1 pm to 4 pm. A-1 Savannahs is the largest exotic Savannah cat breeding facility in the world.
*The 101 Ranch memorial grounds located on Highway 156 near the Salt Fork River will also be open during the June 7th Salt Fork River Valley agritourism kick-off events. The 101 Ranch was founded in 1893 during the Cherokee Strip Land Run by Colonel George W. Miller. The 101 Ranch was the largest diversified farm in the United States at the turn of the century and included a Wild West Show that toured worldwide. The farm and show operations were auctioned off during the Great Depression. The memorial grounds are now open to the public as a picnic facility.
Evening Charity Event
*At 6:00 pm, the Salt Fork River Valley Ranch and Farm Tours will host a charity dinner, auction, and outdoor “Concert on the Cowskin” at Silvertop Farm, featuring contemporary artist Rene Alvarado of San Antonio, Texas, chef Jose Alvarado from Boston, Massachusetts, and singer Willie Alvarado from San Angelo, Texas. Klein’s Catering of Perry, Oklahoma will assist with the event. A Spanish dance troupe from Alamogordo, New Mexico will provide entertainment during dinner.
*Tickets are $25 per person and available at the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce, First National Bank of Oklahoma in Ponca City and Tonkawa, RCB Bank in Ponca City, and Blubaugh Insurance Agency in Tonkawa. Tickets may also be purchased by calling (877) 752-2748 or (580) 765-3727.
*The Salt Fork charity event will benefit three North Central Oklahoma restoration projects - the 101 Ranch memorial grounds, the Tonkawa Santa Fe Train Depot, and the Ponca Indian Mission on the Ponca Indian reservation.
Big V Ranch Events
*The Big V Ranch will kick-off the agritourism efforts with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Big V Ranch Retreat, a six acre facility which includes its historic ranch house, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, newly rebuilt commissary, and refurbished mule barn. The Ranch Retreat will be a private reservation only facility.
*The ranch house as well as the mule barn and commissary will be open for tours from noon to 2 pm. An exhibition of the works of Tonkawa artist Audrey Schmitz and photographer Ken Crowder will be held in the commissary.
*The Big V Ranch was one of the largest farms in the area at the turn of the century and included over 10,000 acres at that time. The Big V Ranch was the largest mule dealer from 1907 to 1912 and even sold mules to the British army. Today, the operation spans over 1000 acres and includes cattle, hay, and small grain operations. Future plans include a “you pick” garden and prairie chapel.
*The Big V Ranch is owned and operated by the descendants of William and Viola Vanselous, founders of the Big V Ranch. The Big V Ranch is located one quarter mile south of the intersection of “T” Street and White Eagle Road off of Highway 156 southwest of Ponca City.
*Website: www.BigVRanch.com, www.saltforktours.com
Blubaugh Angus Ranch Events
*The Blubaugh Angus Ranch will kick-off the Salt Fork Tours venture at 2 pm. Salt Fork Tours will schedule tours by private reservation only throughout the year.
*Blubaugh Angus Ranch, which includes cattle, hay, horse, and small grain operations, will be open for tours from 2 to 4 pm and showcase the farming and ranching heritage of the area. Calf roping will be demonstrated by Bob Mulligan, world class champion and nationally ranked calf roper. The Blubaugh Angus Ranch is located at 9801 W. North Avenue.
*Founder Cletus Blubaugh settled nearby in 1893 after staking a claim as part of the Cherokee Strip Land Run. Blubaugh was one of the youngest legal participants in the land run, having reached the age of 21 by three days. Blubaugh lived in a dug-out for seven years before building a farmhouse, which still stands today nearby. The current farmhouse for the Blubaugh Angus Ranch has historic significance for its oil and Native American ties.
*Blubaugh Angus Ranch was on the railroad line during the Great Depression and saw many people jump off the train looking for work, including a Harvard math professor who taught algebra to Blubaugh’s son. Algebra equations on the walls of the granary are still evident today.
*Website: www.BlubaughAngusRanch.com, www.saltforktours.com
Silvertop Farm Events
*Silvertop Farm will host a ribbon cutting ceremony and blessing of the vines for its newly established vineyard at 4 pm. Farm tours will be held from 4 to 6 pm highlighting the Silvertop sheep facilities. Linda Holloway of Ability Stock Dogs will demonstrate sheep herding and Marc Hodgson, Sheep Manager for Silvertop Farm, will demonstrate sheep shearing. Wool spinning will also be demonstrated during the event.
*A free admission art show and wine tasting event will be held from 4 to 6 pm featuring the works of contemporary artist Rene Alvarado of San Antonio, Texas and western artist Gene Dougherty of Tonkawa, Oklahoma. Nearby regional vineyards and wineries will be showcased including Indian Creek Village Vineyards and Winery of Ringwood, Woodland Park Vineyards and Winery of Stillwater and Prairie Rattler Vineyards and Winery of Shidler.
*A charity dinner, auction, and outdoor “Concert on the Cowskin” will be held starting at 6 pm with admission by ticket only. The art show and wine tasting area will be open from 6 to 8 pm for those participating in the charity dinner, auction, and concert.
*Silvertop Farm was founded in 1945 by Joe and Ruth Steichen based on the principles of diversified agriculture. Silvertop Farm operations include small grains, hay, cattle, sheep, pecans, and vineyards. Goats, burros, and horses are also a part of the facility. Hunting and fishing activities will be available during the fall of 2008. A winery is scheduled to be operating on the facility by 2010.
*Silvertop Farm is located at 6151 W. Fountain Road, southwest of Ponca City. Tours will be scheduled by private reservation only throughout the year.
*Website: www.theSilvertop.com, www.saltforktours.com
Agritourism
The State of Oklahoma has been working for the past seven years to bring together the largest and third largest economic base for the state, according to Abby Cash, Oklahoma State Agritourism Director. In connection with its efforts, the Oklahoma Tourism Department will launch a regional advertising campaign to focus on the diverse Oklahoma agritourism activities.
The tourism website at www.OKtravel highlights the various agritourism venues. In addition, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation will begin installing agritourism road signs to mark the attractions throughout the state, which include fourteen categories: birding tours, country stays, guest ranches, exotic breeding, farm and ranch attractions, farmers markets, horseback riding, hunting, mazes, specialty crops, you pick farms, and vineyards and wineries.
Ponca City Events during June 7th Weekend
The 10th Annual Draggin’ Grand Nostalgia Cruise with over 400 vintage cars on Grand Avenue will be held on Friday, June 6th from 6 to 10 pm. The Aviation Boosters will host a Fly-in Breakfast at the Ponca City Airport from 7 to 10 am including both vintage and small modern aircraft. Over 20,000 people are expected at the 15th Annual Ponca City Herb Festival to be held from 8 am to 4 pm at the LA Cann Gardens, a 10 acre showcase of color, texture, fragrance and landscape architectural beauty. The festival offers vendors, music, food, plants and seminars on herbs, horticulture, and outdoor design. The Classic Car Club will host the 26th Annual Show ‘n Shine and the 7th annual Cherokee Strip Corvette Show will be held from 9 am to 4 pm at Ponca Lake.
Contacts for further information on Salt Fork Tours, Agritourism, and Ponca City Tourism:
Big V Ranch – Jane Morris (580) 716-1729, captjane@mac.com
Blubaugh Angus Ranch – Scott Blubaugh (580) 761-0923, scott@blubaughangusranch.com
Silvertop Farm – Mary Steichen (214) 458-1340, marysteichen@yahoo.com
Oklahoma Agritourism – Abby Cash (405) 522-5652, abby.cash@oda.state.ok.us
MaryBeth Moore, Ponca City Tourism, (580) 765-4400, Marybeth@poncacitychamber
Three Ranches Planning to Enter
Agriculture Tourism Field by Louise Abercrombie
The Ponca City News
October 9, 2007 - Ponca City, Oklahoma
Ponca City Chamber of Commerce and Tourism were treated to a tour of the future three area ranches planning to enter the agriculture tourism field.
A highlight of the tour was a visit to the Big V Ranch, which plans to open as a bed and breakfast. Jane Morris, granddaughter of the original owners, is ramrod of the rejuvenation of the unique ranch house.
A big part of the renovation is the mule barn and it features a red roof with a large white "V." A number of "V's" are featured in the newly poured concrete which surrounds the house.
The ten-bedroom 1903 ranch house is in the process of being restored. Also joining in the agriculture tourism effort are the Silvertop Farm, owned by the Mary and Ruth Steichen, and Blubaugh Angus Ranch, operated by Scott Blubaugh. The ranches are all in a radius of five miles of each other.
Silvertop, which raises two type of sheep, is planning to add a vineyard and produce its first bottled wine in about three years.
Pictures relating to this article can be viewed at the following link:
www.poncacitynews.com/images/ique/1007/renovate100907.html