ADWA ACTION ALERT

Join Our Online Community Receive action alerts, tips, news and special offers via e-mail.

OSU Farmed Whitetail Deer Program Graduates First Class

Seven innovative Oklahoma agriculturalists graduated from the OSU Farmed Whitetail Deer Program's inaugural certification course. Being the first certified farmers in this rapidly growing industry, graduates learned the latest business and agricultural information about how to operate a deer farm and optimize profits in the deer industry.

"The OSU Whitetail Deer Program is a bold step taken by the university to bring professionalism and education to a relatively new agricultural industry within the state. This program will serve as a vital link between deer farmers struggling to understand this amazing animal, and the latest in scientific research and sound management principles," stated Greg Bersche, certified deer farmer and natural resource specialist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Graduates learned the various facets of deer farming from economics and fawn care to nutrition and various breeding procedures. During the classes, they visited a few of Oklahoma's premier deer farms, which provided the opportunity to network with industry leaders, gain hands-on experience in tube feeding, and witness the various breeding procedures.

"The first certification class represented a wide variety of Oklahoma's agricultural leaders, from experienced breeders to deer farm employees and those individuals considering joining the industry," said Amy Brown, Program Manager. "The program provided new information that will prepare them for success in this business."

In 2007, there were 122 registered deer farms in the state of Oklahoma. In the past three years, however, the industry has grown over 83 percent, with over 220 farms now licensed with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Due to this rapid growth, Oklahoma State University received a congressionally-directed grant through the Department of Education, thanks to the leadership of Congressman Dan Boren. The grant's focus was to create an educational, non-credit certification program to promote rural development throughout Oklahoma. This program is in partnership with the Whitetails of Oklahoma, OSU Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine.

The OSU Farmed Whitetail Deer Program, offered through the OSU Center for Innovation and Economic Development, Inc., offers two certification courses annually, one each in the spring and fall. For further information about becoming certified, please contact Amy Brown at 405-744-2330, visit our Facebook page, or the website at www.cied.okstate.edu/deer.