Eta Gamma Members Complete Sand Hill Plums Project

Members of the Eta Gamma Chapter at Coffeyville Community College had the opportunity to participate in an early semester fundraising project, picking Sand Hill Plums near the location of the Osage Springs vineyard northwest of Coffeyville.  The sand hill plum bushes are part of a Wild Life Habitat Improvement Program to provide protection and a food source for native wildlife.  The project was conceived when the owners of the Osage Springs Vineyard had an opportunity to sample sand hill plum jam at the Tulsa Farmers’ Market.

The jam was made by Margaret Schaben of the Wild Horse Canyon Farm at Luther, Oklahoma, 15 miles east of Edmond on old historic highway 66.  Products from the Wild Horse Canyon Farm feature jars with colored labels and a rainbow design. 

Mr. Schaben stated that their wine jellies and Jalapeños had just been approved for retail at Whole Foods, a difficult market to reach.  Their wine jellies include four varieties, Jalapeños, strawberry, peach and Sand Hill Plum.  The Schabens hope to grow their business into new markets in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. 

Their thirty-five acre vineyard in Luther features American grapes which mature at different times which allows them to participate in farmers’ market on week-ends. Mrs. Schaben stated that the wine grapes make wonderful jelly. 

The Schabens are currently writing a book, "What, Where, How, to Raising Grapes in Oklahoma."  The Wild Horse Canyon products include Sand Hill Plum jams, jellies and syrup.  The lower level of their home features a commercial kitchen where the items are produced.  Margaret Schaben experimented for several years before she obtained a superior gourmet fruit spread that featured more juice and less sugar.

The Eta Gamma Chapter picked approximately twenty-five gallons of Sand Hill Plums for sale to the Wild Horse Canyon Farm.  Proceeds will assist in funding chapter service projects and travel.  The project was named the Mike Still Memorial Sand Hill Plum Project to honor the memory of a person instrumental in its inception.