The Field Notes July 2019 issue covers garden insect ID, new resources on agroforestry and cover crops, and fertilizer climate impacts.

Tired of the same old, same old? Try it a different way in May!

This month’s president’s note reports on how researchers at the University of Arkansas are moving table grapes into high tunnels to escape pests – with promising results so far.

Why sit around the sale barn when you can sell your cattle on TV? We explain what the Kerr Center livestock program gains from that approach.

Similarly, why make compost the old-fashioned way when worms can do it faster and more effectively? The Kerr Center has videos to show you the ropes.

Lastly, why limit pollinator plantings to wildflowers, when there are plenty of trees and shrubs that can play a valuable part? Our guide can help you select the best species for your location.

As summer looms, many thoughts turn to water. For this month’s issue, we focus on some farm- and ranch-related aspects of that life-giving liquid.

We highlight a report full of advice on how to protect the ecological benefits of streamside vegetation from thirsty livestock.

Next, we focus in on one way to achieve that, by putting watering points in more pastures.

Finally, we point to the results of an heirloom sorghum variety trial – which included assessing the crop’s resistance to a tropical storm!

But first of all, check out David Redhage’s advice on trying new crops.

This time of summer, we can look with satisfaction out over the horticulture plots’ “green fallow” of warm-season cover crops, keeping the soil shaded and sheltered, as well as weeded and nourished, despite the hot, dry weather.

We’ve just published former Kerr Center Horticulture Manager George Kuepper’s updated account of his nine-year effort developing that bio-extensive rotational system on the Cannon Horticulture plots. (Kuepper was also recently recognized for his work as an OMRI panel reviewer.)

Two new labeling programs reward farmers and ranchers for just such conservation-friendly practices. Perhaps one would be a good fit for your operation?

Continuing last month’s summer focus on water issues, we explain how the Kerr Ranch uses gravity to carry water from ponds to pastures.

It’s August, and we’re as keen as anyone else to keep out of the sun.

In this issue, we focus on how to do the same thing for crops and livestock, with features on:
– portable shade structures for cattle,
– “sunscreen” to avert sunscald in tomatoes, and
– interesting results from a study of shade’s effects on animal performance in silvopasture.

This month, David Redhage also shares his impressions of a new book about creatures that are most noticeable in the dark.

Fall has arrived, and school bells are ringing – so for this issue, we’re taking a back-to-school slant.

David Redhage has been out teaching about increasing and conserving pollinator habitat. We share a presentation on establishing native pollinator plants organically that he gave on a recent NRCS webinar.

Our Beginning Farmer & Rancher training program brought many farmers back into the classroom. Though it wrapped up four years ago, it was so popular that we still regularly field inquiries about it. Though the trainings themselves are no longer offered, the resources are all still available free online – books, reports, fact sheets, presentations, videos, and more, from both horticulture and livestock tracks.

But first, revisit the native prairie site of this past spring’s controlled burn, and take in some fresh photos of how the wildflowers fared on it.

The nights are noticeably longer than the days by now, and many farm and ranch activities are being put to rest for the season. With that thought, we’re focusing this issue on tasks for the so-called slack months in the agricultural calendar.  (After all, it’s October – and is there anything spookier than the thought of being caught unprepared?)

David Redhage shares an article on something few would’ve even thought to plan for: a long-term decline in the nutritional value of pollinators’ pollen food source.

We report on our latest hoophouse workshop, held earlier this month, and point to a brand new (and free) set of plans for building your own hoop house.

We’ve made updates to our series of pollinator resource guides, and offer a reminder of some valuable resources for helping to decide how to keep cattle fed through the cooler months.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Kerr Center!

This month, David Redhage reviews a book that looks at techniques for restoring soil life in different regions and climates the world over.

We share some of the livestock team’s results from a comparison of cost and nutrition in grazing wheat pastures versus feeding hay.

We also offer an update on the latest uses and design improvements for the Kerr Center’s portable hoop house.

With many of us turning to seed and nursery catalogs to plan next spring’s gardens, it’s a good time for a look at one of our most popular guidebooks to get some ideas for including pollinators in the mix.

Season’s greetings from the Kerr Center!

David Redhage gets this issue rolling with reflections on an article about breeding crops for particular nutritional needs.

The rest of this month’s newsletter is given over, as usual, to a look back at the year gone by to register progress made in each of our main program areas. It’s a chance to check in and see what’s been happening with our conservation, livestock, and horticulture projects – as well as what directions they’ll be taking in 2018.

The Field Notes January 2018 issue covers Jim Horne’s retirement, spring seed starting, forage estimation, water bars, and more. Read on!

The Field Notes February 2018 issue covers agroforestry enterprises, temporary electric fence placement, heirloom varieties, and more. Read on!

The Field Notes March 2018 issue covers organic small-scale grain production, guides to native pollinators and their host plants, and more. Read on!

The Field Notes April 2018 issue covers new publications on walk-behind tractors and watering tanks made from old tires, and much more. Read on!

The Field Notes May 2018 issue covers SARE’ 30-year history, making and using raised beds, native wildflowers, and more. Read on!

The Field Notes June 2018 issue covers insect declines, upcoming beekeeping and grazing workshops, and the history of organic farming, and more. Read on!

The Field Notes July 2018 issue covers the water cycle, processing surplus garden harvests, and recent beekeeping and grazing workshops. Read on!

The Field Notes August 2018 issue covers new sustainable agriculture resources, setting up a rotational grazing system, irrigation, and more. Read on!

The Field Notes September 2018 covers cool-season cash crops, monarch migration, grazing management, bio-extensive gardening, and more. Read on!

The Field Notes January 2019 issue covers small-scale gardening tools, managing excess forage, soil health resources, monarchs, and more. Read on!

The Field Notes November 2018 issue covers Okies for Monarchs, parasite control in sheep and goats, urban weeds as greens, and more. Read on!

The Field Notes October 2018 issue covers CRISPR technology, misused pesticides, neonic-addicted bees, and goats for brush control. Read on!

The Field Notes December 2018 issue looks back over the year gone by, and reviews a book about contending visions of the future of farming. Read on!

The Field Notes February 2019 issue covers cover crops mixed with cattle and cash crops, native bees, honey bees, and more. Read on!

The Field Notes March 2019 issue covers soil health, especially its connections with plant, livestock, and human health, and more. Read on!

The Field Notes May 2019 issue covers sand shortages, soil organic matter, sweet potatoes, a new free stream restoration guide, and more. Read on!

The Field Notes April 2019 issue covers current conservation practices, USDA payments for using them, pollinator plant sources, and more. Read on!

The Field Notes June 2019 issue covers backyard monarch monitoring, elderberries, flood control, legumes for drought resilience, and more!

OKBFRP 2013 Highlights, Agroforestry Update, Resilient Farmer Recap, Remembering Sen. Kerr , Kerr Center Honors, Okra Seed Project, Choctaw Youth Program, Pollinator Project, 2013 Summer Interns