Cattle program boosts Boynton

By Keith Purtell
Phoenix Staff Writer

February 28, 2009 12:30 am

— BOYNTON – A group of enterprising families are building the community of Boynton using a cattle program.
Leonard Walker, 63, president of the Boynton group, said it all starts with cattle bought with funds from Heifer International. Then the member families raise the cows and give new ones that are born to new member families.
“In July of 2008 we got our first money from Heifer International; we were approved for $132,000,” he said. “We bought 24 head of cattle in November. We just received financing for 2009 in January, and we’re in the process of getting 16 more head of heifers. We’ve got four baby calves on the ground, and the program is going smooth.”
Walker said it took a long time; they first contacted Heifer International eight years ago this month. Several other communities were also applying for the program at about the same time; Wagoner, Oktaha, Fort Gibson and Porter. Walker said it was frustrating to see one group get approved in 90 days while Boynton’s application was in process for years.
“We just hung in there and kept doing what we were supposed to do, like submitting the different documents,” he said. “We just thank God that it’s going the way it is. If my wife Rose hadn’t kept me going I would have given up just like a lot of others did. We just kept sending in things and calling and calling and it has all done happened now.”
Walker said Heifer International requires new members to come in and go through the same training the original members went through. Right now Boynton members have 29 head of grass-fed black Angus. Each new member will receive five cows, then they will pass on five cows.
“We predict that in the next 16 months, we will be passing on 24 more head,” Walker said. “The next 16 months after that, 60 more head. Then we’ll have 40 more members in the organization. In two and a half years, we’re looking at 80 members getting ready to pass on 80 heifers.”
Wiley Pearson, 47, a member of the Boynton group, shares Walker’s enthusiasm.
“I wanted to get back in the cow business and pass some along to the community,” he said. “Coming up soon I’ll be doing some more of the training; a cow birthing class in Arkansas. We’re trying to build Boynton up a little.”
Pearson said each new member family has to write up a proposal, then attend training classes. He said the program focuses on cattle, but has other options.
“This is bigger than cows, though,” he said. “Heifer International is also teaching people about goats and gardening. We’re going out to youngsters; they can come to the garden and pick some of the produce and sell it. Maybe even have a co-op.”
Walker pointed out one of the features of the cattle pen on Pearson’s property; a barbed wire fence with an additional electrified line.
“These electric fences, we can all build them now because of the Heifer International fencing classes,” he said. “Some of us are certified and can teach the fencing class.”
Many of the cattle are grouped together and rotated from one member family to another.
“We can use Marvin Freeman’s place in winter and then use myself and Mr. Pearson in summer,” Walker said.
The garden has been a hit with local students, Walker said.
“Also in the program is our garden that uses something called plasticulture,” he said. “Heifer International is trying to get the young people interested in it. It gets them to a place where they understand where food really comes from. There is a great deal of enjoyment to us to see a child’s face light up.”
Reach Keith Purtell at 918-684-2925 or Click Here to Send Email

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