Working Together for Rural Oklahoma

Pryor (Mayes County)

BIO

Raised on large corporate dairy and beef operations by a mother, now 81, that milked cows until 2016—BJ Gann brings a lifetime of hands-on agricultural experience to his leadership as OFRA Board President. Currently operating 240 acres near Pryor at age 61, BJ is actively transitioning his land toward regenerative farming. Drawing on 33 years in industrial water treatment and microbiology, he navigates rising diesel costs and changing support channels by encouraging producer experimentation. As an advocate for Community Land Trusts (CLTs) to keep family farms intact and protect agricultural land from being parcelled off, BJ aligns OFRA's core mission around soil health, regenerative practices, and land preservation.

Council Hill (Muskogee County)

BIO

As the Director and Master Grower for Thao Family Garden, an organic vegetable operation in Council Hill, Elisabeth Z. Thao cultivates sustainable produce while championing community health. She partners with regional organizations like FreshRx and the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma to expand food access. Holding an M.A. in Holistic Health Studies from St. Catherine University, Elizabeth also serves as an adjunct professor at Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC. As OFRA Board Vice President, she brings extensive experience in community outreach, program development, and wellness education to Oklahoma’s agricultural community.

Locust Grove (Cherokee County)

BIO

Raised by Mexican parents and working in his family's grocery stores near Chicago, Juan Escareño spent decades leading community food access initiatives while organizing for justice and respect. In Detroit, he served as Executive Vice President of UFCW Local 876 and on Michigan Governor Whitmer's Food Security Council. As OFRA's Board Treasurer, Juan brings a wealth of community organizing experience.  Juan works for Potlikker Capital to advance racial and climate justice for BIPOC producers, leveraging his expertise in public policy and community organizing from the home he shares with his wife and six children.

Oklahoma City (Oklahoma County)

BIO

Born in Saigon and raised in Oklahoma City, Thanh Tran is a food systems strategist and former vegetable farmer who serves as OFRA Board Secretary.  Following a 13-year enterprise IT career, she transitioned to agriculture, growing produce in upstate New York and then managing vegetable production at Commonwealth Urban Farms in OKC. Thanh co-founded Flora Bodega cooperative grocery and established The OKC Food Hub to connect small-scale producers with wholesale markets. Today, she provides technical assistance to Potlikker Capital, helping socially and economically disadvantaged producers with business strategy, access non-extractive capital, cold-chain  infrastructure, and resilient regional supply chains. Thanh’s Commonwealth Urban Farms OKC Interview

Tulsa (Tulsa County)

BIO

Angus Martin is a Tulsa-based entrepreneur, agricultural innovator, and developer. In 2022, he founded Better Day Farms, a 12,000-square-foot hydroponic greenhouse that has supplied over 500,000 heads of lettuce to Midwest schools and food banks. As CEO of The Birch Co., he leads residential and commercial construction, partnering with Eden Village and City Lights to build housing solutions for individuals experiencing homelessness while pioneering agrihood developments that integrate working farms into neighborhoods. Serving on the OFRA board, Angus is dedicated to supporting Oklahoma producers. Outside of work, he enjoys studying theology, competing in triathlons, and spending time with his wife and daughter; a daughter being his biggest endurance challenge yet. Learn about Angus Martin - Better Day Farms Tour on YouTube.

Wewoka (Seminole County)

BIO

Mitchell Hill is an OFRA Board Member and first-generation producer who owns 4K Farms in Wewoka, Oklahoma. Beginning as a small hog operation, 4K Farms has expanded into raising Hampshire hogs, goats, beef cattle, and sheep in a natural woodlot setting. He utilizes cover crops, rotational grazing, and silvopasture methods to promote land restoration and sustainable livestock production. Direct-marketing pork and beef to consumers, the OKC Food Hub, and Wind Clan Market, Mitchell integrates farm-to-table principles into everyday operations. A member and former Agriculture Director of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, he advocates for tribal agriculture, mentors his three sons in regenerative farming, and promotes community involvement in ranching. Learn about the Seminole Nation on youtube.

BIO

Serving on the OFRA board, Ifeanyi Jemie is an impact finance executive and community development strategist. He is CEO of Conscious Markets Group (CMG) and CMG Revival Partners, servicing Community Land Trust (CLT) clients. A seasoned global investment and banking professional, Ifeanyi previously managed portfolios and executed international deals at Citigroup, First Republic Bank, LA Capital, and Cetera. In addition to OFRA, he serves on finance boards including Saint Lawrence Catholic Church and the Rural Cooperative Alliance, and has advised faith-driven non-profits and international organizations like the African Union. Ifeanyi leverages financial literacy, technology, and equitable capital models to bridge economic gaps.