Agricultural News
Introducing Bridget Himes of the Kingfisher FFA Chapter, Your 2022 Northwest Area Star in Agribusiness
Tue, 19 Apr 2022 08:03:38 CDT
During the month of April, the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and Oklahoma Farm Report is spotlighting the 17 Area Stars of Oklahoma FFA that are among the highest achievers in the organization.
The stars come from the five areas in four categories- Star in Ag Placement, Star in Agriscience, Star in Agribusiness and Star in Agricultural Production.
This week, we spotlight the five area stars in Agribusiness in 2022.
One Star Finalist featured in the coming days from each of the categories, will be named the State Star Award Winner during the 96th Oklahoma State FFA Convention coming up May 3 and 4th in Tulsa, Okla.
This week, our coverage of the 2022 Oklahoma FFA Star Award Finalists continues with Agribusiness competitor, Bridget Himes, of the Kingfisher FFA chapter representing the Northwest Area.
Himes project involved making homemade soap out of goat milk.
"Freshman year, I got some goats and from there we used the goat milk to process soap, then started selling to friends and family, and that grew into a bigger business," Himes said.
After she milks the goats, Himes said she filters the milk, then freezes it. This not only helps to store the milk, but also prevents scorching in the soap making process, she added.
"After I have the frozen goat's milk, I mix that with lye, which creates a chemical reaction and melts the goat's milk," Himes said. "From there, the lye dissolves, and I mix that lye milk mixture into oils. This simply is olive oil, castor oil, palm oil, and coconut oil."
After this, Himes said she mixes it until she has a pudding-like consistency. Then, she adds fragrance, puts it into four silicone molds and allows it to harden overnight.
"The next morning, I can pop it out of the molds, cut it up into similar sized bars, and then they will cure for 4-6 weeks," Himes said.
Himes said soap made from goat milk is beneficial to use because it has a higher fat content than the water normally used in lotion or soap.
"It also has properties of natural exfoliants," Himes said. "Alpha hydroxy acid, or AHA, is a popular chemical exfoliant found in many of the beauty products found on the shelves today, and it is naturally found in goat's milk."
Himes is currently transitioning her business to selling the majority of her soap to resell shops.
"This way, I don't have to deliver to individual people, and I can make one stop and my customers can go there to get my soap," Himes said. "I hope to continue this throughout college, and I am looking forward to getting another retail shop soon to keep up production."
Himes' goatmilk soap can be found at a few different locations including Barnhouse in Okarche, Okla., Designs by Dennis and Heritage Pharmacy in Kingfisher, Okla., and KalaKotee & Co. in El Reno, Okla.
"I also sell individually and have a great resource on Facebook at my page, Ravenna Soap," Himes said.
Himes plans to attend Oklahoma State University and pursue a degree in accounting, which will positively impact her business, she said.
Click here for all the information available about the 2022 State FFA Convention as found on the Oklahoma FFA website.
Our coverage of the 2022 Oklahoma FFA Convention is sponsored by Hilliary Communications, serving more than 19,000 customers with telephone service in 22 counties throughout Oklahoma & Texas. The company also offers IP television service and internet speeds up to 1 Gig. Hilliary Communications continuously researches the marketplace for innovations and strives to improve underdeveloped areas, offering services that exceed customer expectations. Click here to learn more about Hilliary Communications.
Our stories from the 2022 Oklahoma FFA Convention will be located on our website within our Blue Green Gazette pages- and stories from this year and last can be seen by clicking here.
Click the LISTEN BAR below to hear KC's full interview with Bridget Himes
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