Brief History of Garfield County
Garfield County is located north-central Oklahoma confined by north of Grant county, on the south of Kingfisher and Logan County, east of Noble County and the west of Alfalfa counties. The total land and water size are 1,059.94 square miles. Additionally, the county is drained by Red Rock, Black Bear, Skeleton, Rock, and Turkey creeks. Garfield is known to contain forty-seven archaeological sites according to a prehistoric survey conducted in 1981(Linda, 2003). The archaeological information indicates occupation during periods such as the Archaic period, Woodland period, and plain village period.
Several factors led to immigration into Garfield County. For instance, the Cherokee outlet led to the settlement of non-Indian settlers in 1893. Also, early settlers composed of Czech and German descent. Opening of cattle companies attracted settlers into the county. Consequently, cattle farming resulted in several farming communities such as Lahoma, Fairmont, and Waukomis. The elections that were held on November 6, 1964, the O county was renamed as Garfield county (Linda, 2003).
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Livestock keeping and agriculture have been the Garfield county principle industries since the earlier centuries. The primary crops include oats, wheat, sorghums and alfalfa. The animals that were reared in staggering number include sheep, cattle, goats, swine’s, horses and mules. For instance, in the 1930s the livestock population stood at 15,400 sheep, 71000 cattle’s, 8,200 hogs and 2800 milk cows. Consequently, the Garfield county had 1,069 farms which comprised of 614,690 acres (Linda, 2003). In addition to livestock and agriculture, Garfield County had other economic activities.
The economy was further boosted by industries such as flour milling, oil and gas, Northrop Air Services and Vance Air Force Base. For instance, in the 1910s and 1920s, the Barnes, Garber-Covington and Sarah Whipple were prominent oil and gas fields. Additionally, Garfield lack waterways and most of the early transportation means was the use of rails. Major rails were constructed to connect various cities in 1873, 1889, and late 1900. Additionally, the number of residents rose immensely from 1907 forward. For instance, in 1907 the population was only 28,300 inhabitants, post-world war II the number was 52,975 and 60580 in 2010 (Linda, 2003). The population now is composed of 83.9 percent whites, 2.3% American Indian, 8.8 percent Hispanics and 0.7 percent Asian.
Conservation Issues the County Is Facing
Garfield County is experiencing conservation issues ranging from soil conservation in Oklahoma and groundwater conservation in Oklahoma. The soil conservation issues that require to be addressed include moisture conservation, control of erosion, and maintenance and improvement of tilth (Swafford, 1967). Another issue concerns the agricultural utilisation of the great plains where erratic rainfall is a significant problem. Disastrous effects have been observed in some season due to lack of sufficient rain. There are no agricultural methods that have been developed to solve this problem entirely. The Carboniferous or the “Red Beds” rocks have been a poor source of groundwater for irrigation in great plains compares to Dakota sandstones which yield a large volume of artesian water (Schwennesen & Meinzer 1914). Consequently, the pumping of water has always been expensive to operate. Also, an issue of the ability to store and transmit water need to be addressed. Storage for irrigation and other purpose has been a problem facing the county.
Ways the County is Progressing VS these Issues
One way Garfield county is progressing to address soil conservation issues involve carefully chosen practices to control erosion on soils throughout the county. Proper methods that have been adopted include growing of winter cover vegetations, effectively managing crop residues to ensure the crops are near the surface of the soil and also practising minimum tillage. Additionally, sticropping and growing of legumes and grasses in long-term rotation accompanied by tilled crops have provided an effective measure to ensure there is limited soil erosion (Swafford, 1967). Furthermore, controlling soil erosion has been managed by constructing terraces, practising farming on the contour, keeping the waterways in sod, and only using fertilisers when the condition requires that it is a must use.
Additionally, the county is establishing a cropping system to ensure there is better management of soil. A sound system will ensure soil is protected from erosion. Also, weeds, plant diseases, and insects are controlled in the new soil management system. For instance, growing of high residue crop will ensure a sound cropping system. Consequently, alfalfa is a beneficial soil building legume together with native grasses which act as soil conditioners and should be considered for a long-term cropping system (Swafford, 1967). Furthermore, the county has conservationist have advocated for grouping soils with their capabilities. Also, management of rangeland soil and setting engineered classification system is significant for overall long-term soil protection.
One way that has been devised to ensure groundwater is available for irrigation is improving the pumping machinery. Improving the internal combustion engines has enabled sufficient pumping of water at a lower cost which has improved the agricultural and better adaptation of crops to sustainable water supply (Schwennesen & Meinzer 1914). Additionally, to address the challenge of water storage and transmission aquifer parameters have been employed which contain hydrolytic characteristics. Groundwater has been beneficial where many communities rely on it despite the degree of mineralisation present. Aquifer parameters can help in water testing to identify problems in some areas and operations to ensure there is a reduction of negative impacts of groundwater (Belden, 1997).
Examples of Wildlife Preserve in the County and Other Examples of Conservation Progress
An example of wildlife preserve includes Drummond Flats which is a prehistoric wildlife site. This reserve provides home for animals for game species such as turkey, waterfowl, sandhill, pheasant, Bobwhite Quail, Dear, rabbit, dove and furbearers. The waterfowl include ducks and geese. The number of ducks is relatively higher and fluctuates due to varied weather conditions. Geese are occasionally present, but they are not abundant. The Sandhill Crane may also be available when there is minimal migration. Also, Bobwhite Quail are available at relatively lower numbers in unflooded wetland sites and upland areas (Diamond Flats, 2019). Additionally, deer are available in smaller numbers and are open to archery hunting. Consequently, you may find turkey in the upland area during the summer, but they are less common. Finally, doves are likely to be present in relatively higher number.
Drummond Flats also present non-game species such as shorebird and wading birds. These species are present in an excellent area for viewing variety. Furthermore, the conservation in progress for Drummond flats development phase involves adding more wetland areas planned for development in the next five years. Additional, Drummond flat currently has 9968 ft. of dikes, eight water control structures, and five wetland units built to ensure the presence of a wetland area (Diamond Flats, 2019). Consequently, Drummond Flats has outlined various conservation management efforts as their long-term goal. These efforts include soil management of the wetland sites, management of the surrounding habitat to ensure native food plants such as native millets, sedges, pigweeds, ragweed and sunflower. Finally, this conservation is currently planting crops in small parts of the areas designed explicitly for dove management.
In conclusion, Garfield County has a strong historical foundation with a strong basis for irrigation and livestock keeping. Despite the primary economy of agriculture and livestock keeping, the county also involved in oil and gas production. Additionally, Garfield County has witnessed conservation issues ranging from soil conservation in Oklahoma and groundwater conservation in Oklahoma. The soil conservation issues that require to be addressed include moisture conservation, control of erosion, and maintenance and improvement of tilth. To solve this problem, Suitable practices that have been adopted include growing of winter cover vegetations, effectively managing crop residues to ensure the crops are near the surface of the soil and also practising minimum tillage. Also, pumping of water has always been expensive to operate which is addressed by Improving the internal combustion engines has enabled sufficient pumping of water at a lower price. Consequently, Drummond Flats is a prehistoric wildlife site. This reserve provides home for animals for game species such as turkey, waterfowl, sandhill, pheasant, Bobwhite Quail, Dear, rabbit, dove and furbearers.
Reference
Belden, M. (1997). Hydrologic Report of the Minor Groundwater Basins in Garfield, Grant and Kay Counties . Oklahoma Water Resources Board, Planning and Management Division.
Diamond Flats (2019) Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Schwennesen, A. T., & Meinzer, O. E. (1914). Ground water for irrigation in the vicinity of Enid, Oklahoma . US Government Printing Office.
Linda D. W. (2003) "Garfield County," The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture
Swafford, B. G. (1967). Soil survey, Garfield County, Oklahoma . US Soil Conservation Service.
