May 4, 2010 – Oklahoma City.  “I had no idea Frederick had so many things to see and do,” remarked one of the more than 40 members of the American Farmers and Ranchers general farm organization who visited Frederick Saturday April 24, during the AFR annual Women’s Conference.  Representing every area of the state, the group embarked on a three-day whirlwind tour by charter bus, visiting various agricultural, historical and cultural operations and sites in Southwestern Oklahoma including Lawton and Frederick. 

  Sharon Bennett and the Frederick Chamber of Commerce helped plan and host the group’s visit to Tillman County, with special assistance from Dana Greer and the Frederick Arts and Humanities Council members.  Bennett and Mayor Eddie Whitworth, Julane Whitworth and Dr. Greg Howard met the bus and welcomed them to Tillman County. 

  Their first stop was the Vanderlann Dairy, where Anita Vanderlann and family hosted a tour of the facility.  Several members had lived and or worked on a dairy farm growing up, so they were really interested in how technology has changed the operations of modern day dairies.  Vanderlann was able to give them a first-hand view of the milking carousel, the barns and pastures; explain the care and handling of the animals; praise their loyal employees; and discuss the impact a dairy this size has on an agricultural based economy, such as Tillman County.   

  Back in town, the group squeezed in some shopping before lunch at Melissa’s.  An afternoon walking tour of Frederick’s other attractions included visiting the Crawford Collection and the Tillman County Pioneer Townsite.  Mid-afternoon, Charlotte McPherson hosted a tour of the beautiful new Hackberry Flat Wetlands center, followed by Andy Bennett who wrapped up by showcasing the Frederick Airport hangar and vintage World War II planes housed there.  The group headed back to Lawton after eanjoying dinner served by the Frederick Arts and Humanities Council volunteers and taking in the Abernathy film at the Ramona.

  Before coming to Frederick, they had visited the Blue Canyon Wind Farm, a commercial wind operation currently in its fifth year of production and third phase of expansion, located just north of Lawton; the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge and visitors’ center; and the Comanche Tribal Cultural Museum in Lawton.  Sunday morning, they toured and the historic Mattie Beal Home in Lawton, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, before heading home. 

  The American Farmers and Ranchers Women’s Conference is a membership enrichment and educational program sponsored by the general farm organization, emphasizing the importance and diversity of Oklahoma agriculture.  Representing more than 70,000 Oklahoma families statewide, the general farm organization plans the conference through the AFR women’s committee, whose members this year were: Shannon Ball, Vici; Kathryn Frazee, Miami; Stephanie Miller, Antlers; Pris Murr, Frederick; and Nila Wageman, Paoli.  Special assistance from the Lawton/Ft. Sill Chamber of Commerce, the Frederick Chamber of Commerce, Sharon Bennett and Pris Murr, facilitated the conference.