February 2026 Newsletter
Cool Things in Conservation
Growing Together: The Importance of Community and Conservation
In the hills of Locust Grove, Oklahoma, stands a lush crop garden managed by the Yang family. Neng Yang and his wife immigrated to the United States from Laos in 1979 and lived in California for much of their life before moving to the plains. After working for the government for close to 20 years and then on a poultry farm for around 10 years, Neng chose to retire. He eventually found retired life to be much too inactive for his taste and wanted to try something different.
The Yangs now cultivate fruit, vegetables, and floral crops to provide for their family and community. Neng originally flood-irrigated his crops, moving slowly section by section and watering each area for around an hour at a time. Neng knew there had to be a more efficient way to irrigate his crops, so he reached out to his local NRCS office for assistance. Learn how NRCS and Neng tackled this irrigation problem here: Growing Together: The Importance of Community and Conservation – Oklahoma Conservation Commission
Upcoming Events
Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts Annual State Meeting 2026
One Land; One Legacy | March 1-3, 2026 | Okana Resort & Water Park, Oklahoma City, OK Register & Learn More
Grow Local Support Fund Informational Webinar | Online
February 4 | Webinar Register Here
2026 OK Environmental Education EXPO | Edmond
Feb. 5-6 | Nigh University Center (UCO) Learn More
Embracing Earth’s Designs | Glenpool
February 24 | Glenpool Conference Center Learn More
GIS Day at the Capitol | Oklahoma City
March 4 | Oklahoma State Capitol Learn More
Farm Forward: Enhancing Your Range & Herd | Fairview
March 5 | Fairview Community Center Register by Feb 19 – Learn More
Cimarron County Outreach Day – Bird Houses & Succulent Planting | Boise City
March 26 | Cimarron County Fairgrounds Call 580-544-3048 to RSVP
Program Updates
The Oklahoma Conservation Commission has several programs available to help producers and landowners statewide. Please see below for more information about each program.
Wetlands ReNEW – OCC’s Restoring Natural Ecology in Wetlands (ReNEW) Cost-Share Program offers technical and financial assistance to landowners interested in restoring, creating, or enhancing a wetland on their property. Applications due March 1, 2026
Soil Health Implementation Program – The Soil Health Implementation Program (SHIP) is a new initiative designed to advance soil health and regenerative agricultural practices across the State of Oklahoma. Applications due March 1, 2026.
Grow Local Support Fund – The Grow Local Support Fund is an initiative of the Southern Oklahoma Urban and Small Farm Hub to support urban and small-scale producers in strengthening local food systems within the Chickasaw Nation Treaty Territory. Applications due February 13, 2026
OCC In the News
One Cedar at a Time – Emily Kalka, Lincoln County News
With wildfire risks climbing, the land management division of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission is working to make a dent in the infestation of cedars across the state.
Trampas Tripp, director of the division, said for the last three years, they’ve been going around the state and providing cedar removal in areas that are prone to wildfires. Currently, they have about 16 technicians that cover about three counties each. Technician Sam Moss works in Lincoln County as well as Creek and Pawnee.
Specifically, land management is working to clear out spots where the threat of wildfire could encroach into populated areas. Read the full story
Conservation Inspiration from Around the Country
Small changes Big Impacts. Prairie strips provide a win-win scenario for farmers and wildlife. Research shows that by converting 10% of a crop-field to diverse, native perennial vegetation, farmers and landowners can reduce sediment movement off their field by 95 percent and total phosphorous and nitrogen lost through runoff by 90 and 85 percent, respectively. Read more here
District Information
District 12 – Area 4 – Stephen County
Email: stephensccd@conservation.ok.gov
3901 West Beech, Duncan, OK 73533 Facebook
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