Carter County Agriculture
Originally part of the Choctaw Nation in Indian Territory prior to statehood, Carter County is located on the "sunny side of the Arbuckle Mountains" in south-central Oklahoma.
Forages, beef cattle and pecan production dominate agriculture in Carter County. Of the 373,000 acres of farmland, 214,000 acres are in permanent pasture or native range, 38,800 acres are wooded and 110,000 acres are dedicated cropland.
The 110,000 cropland acres are predominately small grains, used primarily for winter grazing and hay. Small acreages are devoted to peanuts, corn, sorghum and soybeans.
The soil profile is mostly loamy, sandy, nearly level to sloping soils on uplands but ranges from very shallow, steeply sloping soils with rocky outcrops in the Arbuckle Mountains, to deep, loamy soils located on the flood plains of the Washita River, Caddo, Hickory, Walnut and Wildhorse creeks.
Agriculture is a very significant sector of the local economy, approaching approximately $30 million in sales of agricultural inputs and production annually. The secondary or indirect impact of associated sales and purchases, such as transport, distribution and employment has been shown to more than double the direct impact on the local economy. Factor analysis and other mathematical techniques show that a little less than 36% of the total employment and 29% of the total income in Carter County is attributed to agriculture.
About the Master Gardener Program
It is a volunteer training program conducted by University Extension designed to help county extension centers meet the demands for consumer horticulture information. Master Gardeners take classroom training coordinated by local extension staff with the assistance of state extension specialists located at Oklahoma State University. After classroom training is completed, program participants are involved in an internship program of volunteer service coordinated by local extension centers. Volunteer service components vary widely around the state, but in all cases are educational, extension related, and represent the interests of University Extension.
Master Gardeners have become a vital part of Extension's ability to provide consumers
with up-to-date, research-based information. Master Gardening has also become a popular
volunteer activity that gives its participants a sense of community spirit, accomplishment
and intellectual stimulation.
Purpose of Carter County Master Gardeners Association
The primary purpose of the Association is to assist as volunteers with the horticulture program of Carter County Extension Service in the following ways:
- Answering inquiries relating to horticulture for the County Extension service.
- As coordinators and counselors in the Master Gardener training program.
- Provide County Extension personnel horticulture services as requested wherever applicable.
- It shall also provide continuing education and fellowship for members interested in horticulture.
The membership is limited to persons who have completed the Master Gardener training course. A Certified Active Master Gardener is required to achieve 20-recorded service hours and 20-recorded education hours per year. The Certified Active Master Gardeners are the voting members of the Association. The public is welcome to take part in the Association's activities.
The Association offers it programs to all persons regardless of race, color, national
origin, gender, religion, age or disability.
Arbuckle Post Newsletter
This bi-monthly newsletter provides important information to farmers, ranchers and beef cattle producers in regard to herd health issues, transportation regulations and upcoming program topics. It is mailed to a list in excess of 300 contacts.