Extension Office’s agriculture/4-H educator stays busy
Since Oklahoma State University Extension Office Agriculture/4-H Educator Liana Jones came on board in October, she has been a very busy individual. While both agriculture and 4-H are under the same huge “umbrella,” they each have their different characteristics and duties.
“A big responsibility of my job is processing all the soil tests,” Jones told members of the Poteau Kiwanis Club during the local civic organization’s weekly meeting May 5 at Western Sizzlin. “I started in October, and I’ve already well over 300 soil analyses and about 50 litter analyses for all of our poultry producers.”
Then, comes her LeFlore County 4-H duties.
“I do a lot of stuff with community outreach, especially in our schools in trying to get agriculture into the classrooms,” Jones said. “One thing I started last month is to have a little miniature calf named Otis, and we have went to almost every school in LeFlore County. We read a storybook with kindergarten through third grade. That has been a very successful program. This past week, I took the calf to the Heavener Nursing Home. (On May 4), I went to the Spiro Nursing Home and The Oaks (Healthcare Center) in Poteau. We let the calf visit with the residents. I was also very well received. Everybody was really happy to see him (Otis). I was glad we were able to do that.”
Of late, Jones told the Kiwanians two major issues that have keep her busy the most. The first is Avian flu.
“They found a case in Sallisaw,” she said. “I was at the (Historic Downtown Poteau) Farmer’s Market (at The Pocket Park) and talked with some of the backgrow producers. What we’re really seeing right now is you’ll go outside and half of the flock of birds will be dead. You may notice some respiratory issues, like if they have their mouths, or I guess their beaks, open, which is not usually very common. They may have bruising on their legs. When you notice a dead bird, if you lift their wing, you’ll see bruising. I have a list of resources in my office. If anyone is suspecting of having a sick flock, the Oklahoma State Department of Agriculture (ODAG) will actually come and do that all for free at cost to the poultry producers. Any bird that doesn’t have the Avian flu, they will diagnose your bird to tell you what is wrong.”
The other key issue of late is tomatoes. “People really care about growing their tomatoes in their garden,” Jones said. “Last year, my tomatoes did not do good. This year, I’m determined I’m going to make something happen this year (with tomatoes).”
The OSU Extension Office’s busy body will be just that this summer.
“I have about 20 different things planned this summer that are free at our office (located in the LeFlore County Court House Annex),” Jones said. “It ranges from Farm Safety Day (June 23), where they’re going to learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) from LeFlore County EMS (Emergency Medical Services). We’re going to have a Water Safety Day and Fishing Clinic (May 26 at Twyman Park’s pond). There will be all kinds of free activities for youth.”
Jones grew up in Summerfield where she was around cattle and other farm animals, so growing up in 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) was inevitable.
“I have just always had a passion for agriculture,” she said. “I love what farmers and ranchers do and what they stand for. They’re always willing to help people. I know from experience, it’s not easy. They usually don’t get thank-yous very often, so I thought Extension was a really good fit for me. I get to work close to the community and with kids. I have two little kids (Carter and Layton), so it was just a really good fit.”
Prior to coming to the OSU Extension Office, Jones worked as a Workforce and Economic Development Coordinator for two years with Kiamichi Tech. Before that, she worked for eight years as a soil conservationist with the United States Department of Agriculture-National Resorces Conservation Service in various areas of the state. A 2015 graduate of OSU, she has her degree in agricultural communications. She attended Eastern Oklahoma State College as part of the livestock judging team and earned a degree in agricultural economics in 2012. She currently is working towards her Master’s Degree in international agriculture with an emphasis on water quality. She serves on several local committees and is a board member for the Ouachita Mountains Resource Conservation and Development council. She was recently awarded the NextGen 30 Under 30 Award.