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Closer to Home: Healthier Food, Farms and Families in Oklahoma
The Closer to Home report looks at Oklahoma’ food system from farm to table, asking how we can make our fields and tables healthier.
Field Notes: Spring 2014
The Field Notes Spring 2014 issue includes the newsletter’s 40th anniversary, biochar and compost, heirloom okra, sweet potatoes, and more!
Field Notes – July 2021
The July 2021 issue of Field Notes covers direct marketing, the farm share of the food dollar, pollinators in the news, pawpaws, and more! Read on!
Field Notes – June 2021
The June 2021 issue of Field Notes covers plants for monarchs, pollination services, local beef processing resources, and more!
The Next Green Revolution: Essential Steps to a Healthy, Sustainable Agriculture
Provides Instructors a Useful Framework for Teaching the Essential Points of Sustainable Agriculture. Use as a Supplemental Text for Courses in Agriculture, the Environmental Sciences, and Rural Sociology.
Small-Scale Gardening Technology at the Kerr Center
This report relates the Kerr Center’s experiences with small-scale farming and gardening tools during a decade of bio-extensive management on the Cannon Horticulture Plots. Tools evaluated include spades, digging forks, broadforks, hoes, and more.
A Brief Overview of the History and Philosophy of Organic Agriculture
This publication outlines the origins of organic agriculture, highlighting the concepts that define it as a distinct and sustainable approach to farming.
Field Notes – May 2021
The May 2021 issue of Field Notes covers 2021 workshops, new Climate Normals, a free new grazing e-book, USDA pandemic relief, and more! Read on!
Field Notes: Fall 2013
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
Sweet Sorghum: Production and Processing, Second Edition
Sweet Sorghum: Production and Processing, enduringly popular and useful, is now available in an updated second edition! Download or order a copy today!
Field Notes – April 2021
The April 2021 issue of Field Notes covers wasp ID, heritage poultry counts, Oklahoma organics, a new monarch documentary, and more! Read on!
Native Pollinator Books
Resource List for Native Pollinators and Plants
Field Notes – March 2021
The March 2021 issue of Field Notes covers elderberry safety, sustainable agriculture videos, CRP signups, USDA value-added grants, and more! Read on!
Field Notes – February 2021
The February 2021 issue of Field Notes covers seed starting, wildfire preparedness, the Conservation Stewardship Program, and more! Read on!
Field Notes – January 2021
The January 2021 issue of Field Notes covers the western monarch population, a new treatment for goat parasites, small-scale tools, soil biodiversity, and more!
Field Notes – December 2020
The December 2020 issue of Field Notes reviews the unusual past year at the Kerr Center – with a look ahead at what 2021 may bring.
Field Notes – November 2020
The Field Notes November 2020 issue covers elderberry variety trials, tips for feeding hay, the HIS 2021 cancellation, and more. Read on!
Field Notes – October 2020
The Field Notes October 2020 issue covers renewed federal coronavirus aid to farmers, container-grown tomatoes, bee-killing pesticides, online trainings, and more. Read on!
Elderberries in Oklahoma
The findings from three years of work with different elderberry varieties at the Kerr Center are available in this free report.
Cherry Tomatoes in Self-Wicking Containers
In 2020, the Kerr Center horticulture program trialed several varieties of cherry tomato from the Sun series, indoors in self-wicking containers. This report contains the results of that trial.
Field Notes – September 2020
The Field Notes September 2020 issue covers chicken tractors, container-grown peppers, CRP Grasslands, cover crops, and more. Read on!
Heirloom Variety Trial Report 2012: Sweet Potatoes
This report presents the results of our 2012 heirloom sweet potato variety trial.
Field Notes – August 2020
The Field Notes August 2020 issue covers automation, hydroponics, USDA pandemic relief, insect population updates, and more. Read on!
Native Plant Identification Guides
This is a list of books that are useful for identifying native plants that provide pollinator habitat in Oklahoma.
Field Notes – July 2020
The Field Notes July 2020 issue covers summer gardening, mushroom growing, beginning ranching, long-term research trials, and more. Read on!
Field Notes – June 2020
The Field Notes June 2020 issue covers native plant landscaping, biopesticides for high-tunnel strawberries, wetland mitigation banking, and more. Read on!
Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake Mushrooms outlines the basics of small-scale shiitake mushroom production. The report covers inoculation, harvesting, marketing, and more.
Field Notes – May 2020
The Field Notes May 2020 issue covers the latest pandemic resources, late-planted garden crops, nighttime pollination, and more! Read on!
Field Notes – April 2020
The Field Notes April 2020 issue is brimming with ways to help monarchs, from the backyard to the back 40, and more! Read on!
Field Notes – March 2020
The Field Notes March 2020 issue covers COVID-19 resources for agriculture, prescribed fire trainings, wetland easements, heirloom vegetables, and more!
Field Notes – February 2020
The Field Notes February 2020 issue covers wildfire preparedness, seed starting, hydroponics, season extension, conservation oral histories, and more!
Field Notes – January 2020
Field Notes – December 2019
The December 2019 issue of Field Notes includes a review of a book on monarchs and milkweed, and reviews the past year at the Kerr Center – with a peek at what 2020 brings.
Field Notes – Spring 2013
The Field Notes Spring 2013 issue includes articles on resilience in agriculture, 2012 sweet potato variety trial results, and more.
Field Notes – November 2019
The Field Notes November 2019 issue covers sunflower identification, disaster preparedness, Oklahoma endangered species, and more!
Native Plants for Native Pollinators in Oklahoma
This beautiful full-color guidebook is overflowing with information on 38 Oklahoma native plants and the pollinators that visit them.
Field Notes – October 2019
The Field Notes October 2019 issue covers disappearing birds, the new sweet sorghum manual, pollinator habitat resources, and more!
Field Notes – September 2019
The Field Notes September 2019 issue covers pollinator seed mixes, increasing pesticide toxicity, beginning rancher materials, and more!
Pollinator Plant Propagation Guides
This is a list of books covering techniques for starting and establishing native plants.
Field Notes – August 2019
The August 2019 Field Notes issue includes resources on water management, a recap of the July 2019 elderberry workshop, and more.
Sow True Planting Guide
This planting guide from Sow True Seeds was used as a handout in the Oklahoma Beginning Farmer & Rancher Program.
Southern Organic Resource Guide
The Southern Organic Resource Guide was designed to help certified and transitioning organic farmers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee minimize and manage risks associated with obtaining and maintaining organic certification.
Field Notes – Fall 2012
The Field Notes Fall 2012 issue includes articles on the Oklahoma Beginning Farmer & Rancher Program, interns, meat goats, and more.
Field Notes – Spring 2012
The Field Notes Spring 2012 issue includes articles on the native pollinator program, heirloom sweet potato varieties, and more.
Field Notes – Fall 2011
The Field Notes Fall 2011 issue includes articles on drought, sweet potatoes (including George Washington Carver’s work with the crop), and more.
Field Notes – Spring 2011
The Field Notes Spring 2011 issue includes articles on low-cost hoop house construction, pond management, pears, and more.
Field Notes – Fall 2010
The Field Notes Fall 2010 issue includes articles on shelterbelts, bois d’arc trees, Jim Combs’ retirement, and more.
Field Notes – Spring 2010
The Field Notes Spring 2010 issue includes articles on sustainably raising goats on pasture, shrimp in farm ponds, and more.
Field Notes – Fall 2009
The Field Notes Fall 2009 issue includes articles on food assistance programs at farmers markets, sustainable agriculture at OSU-OKC, and more.
Field Notes – Summer 2009
The Field Notes Summer 2009 issue includes articles on raising freshwater prawns in ponds, sustainable pest management, and more.
Field Notes – Spring 2009
The Field Notes Spring 2009 issue includes articles on heirloom okra, WIC at farmers markets, Choctaw horses, and more.
Field Notes – Fall 2008
The Field Notes Fall 2008 issue includes articles on hoop houses, both practical advice and recent research on raising meat goats, and more.
Field Notes – Summer 2008
The Field Notes Summer 2008 issue includes articles on online organic resources, natural livestock production, and more.
Field Notes – Spring 2008
The Field Notes Spring 2008 issue includes articles on agroforestry, Jim Horne’s 35 years at the Kerr Center, and more.
Field Notes – Winter 2007
The Field Notes Winter 2007 issue includes articles on Eliot Coleman at the Horticulture Industries Show, economic multiplier effects, and more.
Field Notes – Fall 2007
The Field Notes Fall 2007 issue includes articles on awards for the Oklahoma Farm to School Program, Pineywoods cattle, and more.
Field Notes – Summer 2007
The Field Notes Summer 2007 issue includes articles on biofuels, organic foods, direct marketing, meat goats, and more.
Field Notes – Spring 2007
The Field Notes Spring 2007 issue includes articles on the Buy Fresh, Buy Local program, meat goats, aquaponics, vermicompost, and more.
Field Notes – Fall 2006
The Field Notes Fall 2006 issue includes articles on food insecurity, pastured poultry, direct marketing, and more.
Field Notes – Summer 2006
The Field Notes Summer 2006 issue includes articles on the creation of the Oklahoma Farm-to-School program, sunflower biodiesel, and more.
Field Notes – Spring 2006
The Field Notes Spring 2006 issue includes articles on the reprinting of The Next Green Revolution, a memoriam for Ann Ware, and more.
Field Notes – Spring 2005
The Field Notes Spring 2005 issue includes articles on John Ikerd, local food, health and nutrition in grass-fed meats, and more.
Field Notes – Summer 2005
The Field Notes Fall 2005 issue includes articles on community gardens, bison in Oklahoma, rotational grazing, and more.
Field Notes – Winter 2005
The Field Notes Winter 2005 issue includes articles on community food security, farm-to-school, the Kerr Center’s Redbud Award, and more.
Field Notes – Fall 2004
The Field Notes Fall 2004 issue includes articles on the Oklahoma Farm-to-School Program, Oklahoma wines, and more.
Field Notes – Summer 2004
The Field Notes Summer 2004 issue includes articles on biological control of corn earworm, farm-fresh cookbooks, organic beef, and more.
Field Notes – Fall 2003
The Field Notes Fall 2003 issue includes articles on farmland protection, Ag in the Classroom, organic certification, and more.
Field Notes – Spring 2003
The Field Notes Spring 2003 issue includes article on an environmental education award, antique farm equipment, growing onions, and more.
Field Notes – Spring 1999
The Field Notes Spring 1999 issue includes an open letter from Jim Horne to Dan Glickman, articles on riparian areas and co-ops, and more.
Field Notes – Summer 1999
The Field Notes Summer 1999 issue includes articles on grapes and berries, sustainable citrus, confinement hog operations, and more.
Field Notes – Fall 1999
The Field Notes Fall 1999 issue includes articles on trade policy, efficient hay feeding, black walnut trees, and more.
Field Notes – Winter 1999
The Field Notes Winter 1999 issue includes articles on winter gardening, native pecans, ethnic and heirloom vegetables, and more.
Field Notes – Spring 2000
The Field Notes Spring 2000 issue includes articles on socially responsible investing, public attitudes toward biotechnology, and more.
Field Notes – Summer 2000
The Field Notes Summer 2000 issue includes articles on genetic goal setting, heirloom vegetable varieties, and more.
Field Notes – Fall 2000
The Field Notes Fall 2000 issue includes article on corn mazes, biological control of corn earworm, the Ogallala Aquifer, and more.
Field Notes – Winter 2000
The Field Notes Winter 2000 issue includes articles on cover crops, alternative crops, Senepol cattle, and more.
Field Notes – Spring 2001
The Field Notes Spring 2001 issue includes articles on Mississippi’s Family Farm Initiative, sustainable food labeling, and more.
Field Notes – Summer 2001
The Field Notes Summer 2001 issue includes article on direct marketing, a natural beef survey, Pratt’s Food, and more.
Field Notes – Spring 2004
The Field Notes Spring 2004 issue includes articles on natural beef resources, CSAs, help for community food/farm groups, and more.
Field Notes – Fall 2001
The Field Notes Fall 2001 issue includes articles on The Next Green Revolution, alternative crops, and more.
Field Notes – Winter 2001
The Field Notes Winter 2001 issue includes articles on an small fruit trials, antique balers and tractors, and more.
Field Notes – Spring 2002
The Field Notes Spring 2002 issue includes articles farmland preservation, the Oklahoma Producer Grant program, and more.
Field Notes – Summer 2002
The Field Notes Summer 2002 issue includes article on essay contest winners, the Oklahoma Food Policy Council, an antique tractor donation, and more.
Field Notes – Fall 2002
The Field Notes Fall 2002 issue is an in-depth program for the Future Farms conference.
Field Notes – July 2019
The July 2019 issue of Field Notes includes a review of a comprehensive guide to garden insects, links to new resources on agroforestry and cover crops, and news about fertilizer industry greenhouse gas emissions.
Field Notes – June 2019
Get the latest news and find out what’s happening at the Kerr Center.
Field Notes – May 2019
Field Notes – April 2019
Small-Scale Technology and Practices for Sweet Potato Growing in Southeast Oklahoma
This report contains an overview of insights and observations from three years of grant-funded investigation of small-scale technologies and techniques for growing sweet potatoes that might benefit gardeners and small market growers.
Seeds of Change: Food and Agriculture Policy for Oklahoma’s Future
This document contains policy recommendations covering environmental issues, fair markets and contracts, marketing, education and research, and rural development. Also: guiding principles, mission and values of the Kerr Center. For state and national use.
Field Notes – March 2019
Electric Fencing Cost Comparison
Field Notes – February 2019
Field Notes – January 2019
Farming with Walk-Behind Tractors
This report covers the Kerr Center’s decade of experience using walk-behind tractors in the Cannon Horticulture Project. It serves as both backgrounder and how-to manual.
Field Notes – December 2018
Field Notes – November 2018
Field Notes – October 2018
Field Notes – September 2018
Brush Control with Goats
Field Notes – August 2018
Rotations, Cover Crops, and Green Fallow on the Cannon Horticulture Project: A 2010 Status Report
This report outlines the “bio-extensive” approach to fertility and weed management used on the Cannon Horticulture Plots.
How We Converted Bermuda Pasture to Organic Vegetables
This fact sheet describes how to eliminate bermudagrass from future vegetable fields using a sorghum-sudangrass cover crop.
Elements of Organic Farming: Putting Your System Together
This presentation gives an extensive overview of setting up an organic farming system.
Where We Shop: Sources of Seed, Tools, and Supplies
This is a list, by item, of sources of seeds, tools, and supplies used in the Kerr Center horticulture program.
Notes on Tillage & Seeding Equipment for Small Vegetable Farms
This is a list of resources and description of basic equipment necessary for soil preparation and seeding in different farming methods.
Field Notes – July 2018
Hoophouse Materials List
This is a list of materials and cost calculations for building a hoophouse. It was most recently updated in fall 2017.
Pesticides: Safety, Handling, Application
This presentation discusses the safe handling of pesticides in a market farm setting.
Small Scale Organics: A Guidebook for the Non-certified Organic Grower
This report includes guidelines and an organic system plan to help determine whether an organic farming operation meets the USDA standards.
The Kerr Center’s 2014 Demonstration Market Garden
This report describes the demonstration organic market garden planted as a teaching tool for the 2014 Oklahoma Beginning Farmer & Rancher Program.
Two-Barrel Nested Biochar Retort
This is a drawing illustrating how a two-barrel nested biochar retort operates.
Are We Organic Yet?!
This presentation covers organic practices, prohibited substances, food safety, integrity, seeds & planting stock, marketing, steps to certification, and resources.
Organic Production in Oklahoma: Questions & Answers
This is an FAQ-format summary of organic farming for producers considering certification.
Designing an Organic System
This is a two-page description of how to apply the concepts of systems theory to practical management for certified organic production.
Heirloom Vegetables, Genetic Diversity, and the Pursuit of Food Security
This report defines and describes heirloom vegetable varieties and discusses their implications.
Seed Starting Guide – Arkansas River Valley
This handout lists, for over four dozen vegetable crops, fall and spring planting dates and related information.
Overview: Sweet Potatoes at the Kerr Center
This summary of sweet potato work at the Kerr Center from 2010-2013 contains a guide and links to more detailed publications resulting from that work.
Cover Crops as Beneficial Insect Habitats
This publication outlines thoughts on, and experiences with, using cover crops as beneficial insect habitat in organic farming.
Market Farming with Rotations and Cover Crops: An Organic Bio-Extensive System
This report outlines how to control grasses and weeds, and build soil life, health, and fertility organically, using cover crops and rotations.
Seeds, Seeding, and Growing Transplants
This presentation covers seed biology, germination, storage, variety selection, planting dates, field & greenhouse plantings, and growing out transplants.
Organic Bio-Extensive Management Revisited
This report recounts the lessons learned from nine years of organic management of the Cannon Horticulture plots.
Soil Management: Site Selection, Soil Fertility
This presentation discusses the management of soils for market farming operations.
Soil Testing, Soil Sampling, and Soil Fertility
This presentation discusses soil nutrient management.
Soils and Organic Fertility Management
This presentation discusses the management of soil fertility under organic regulations.
Water and Irrigation Systems for Market Farming
This presentation discusses watering needs and approaches for small-scale horticultural crops.
On-Farm Composting and Vermicomposting
This presentation discusses the composting options for fertility in market farming/gardening.
Management Intensive Grazing
Setting up a Management Intensive Grazing System
This intern report presents the results of a summer management intensive grazing project.
The Cattle and Chickens
This intern presentation presents the results of a summer project that investigated multi-species rotational grazing with cattle and pastured laying hens.
Elements of Organic Farming: Pest, Insect, and Disease Management
This presentation discusses the management of crop pests on an organic market farm.
Harvest and Post-Harvest
This presentation discusses harvest and post-harvest handling of fruit and vegetable crops for market farms and gardens.
Produce Safety at the Farm Market: A Guide for Farmers and Sellers
This handout has guidelines for farmers and sellers at farmers markets to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Field Notes – June 2018
Native Milkweeds of Oklahoma
Use this guide to help you plan your milkweed garden – picking native milkweeds that match your location and soil.
General Pollinator Plant Landscaping Guides
This is a list of books that contain information on landscaping with plants, emphasizing native species, that provide pollinator habitat in Oklahoma.
Trees and Shrubs of Value to Pollinators
This table lists a variety of trees and shrubs that grow in Oklahoma, including time of bloom, mature height, water requirements, commercial sources, and more.
Establishing Native Pollinator Habitat Organically: Tips from Our Experience at Kerr Center
This publication describes our project to establish native pollinator plants using organic techniques.
Organic Establishment of Native Wildflowers
This presentation describes the Kerr Center’s experiences and lessons learned from efforts to establish wildflower plantings on the Kerr Ranch using organic methods.
A&L Reference Guide: Soil Sampling
This guide covers procedures, tools, sample preparation, size, depth, and timing, and recommendations for specialized sampling locations and situations.
A&L Soil Sample Information Sheet
This is a soil sample submission form from A&L Laboratories.
Soil Test Interpretation for Vegetable Crops
This is Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service publication number HLA-6036.
Soil Testing: The Right First Step
This is Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service leaflet number L-249.
OSU Soil Test Pricing
This is the 2011 fee schedule from OSU’s Soil, Water, and Forage Analytical Laboratory.
Blending Guide for Low-Analysis Fertilizers
This handout discusses points to consider when blending organic fertilizers. It contains several tables of nutrient contents of different organic fertilizers.
Compost Presentation Notes
This handout includes a table of different compost feedstocks and their approximate carbon-to-nitrogen ratios.
Drip and Micro Irrigation Suppliers
This handout lists contact information for several commercial suppliers of drip and micro irrigation equipment.
Horticulture Main Demonstration Plot Scheme
This handout maps the Cannon Horticulture Plots, as well as the field within them where the 2013 warm-season cover crop trial was conducted.
Planting Calendar
This handout shows seeding and transplanting dates for a variety of vegetable crops.
Supply & Equipment List
This handout lists various supplies and equipment used in the Kerr Center’s organic horticulture program.
Vegetable Crop Irrigation Chart
This handout lists, for several different vegetable crops: irrigation frequency, critical moisture period(s), rooting depth, and potential defects.
Assorted Resources: Equipment and Organic Pesticides/Tools
This handout lists various supplies and equipment used in the Kerr Center’s organic horticulture program.
Hoop House Construction Plans
This document explains how to build a low-cost hoop house, of the design developed by Tod Hanley.
Pond Management Resources
This collection of online resources related to pond management was used as a handout at a 2011 workshop led by Ken Williams.
Watering Systems for Cattle Ponds
This University of Arkansas Extension publication describes two methods of using ponds for watering livestock while limiting direct access: floating fences, and drawing water from ponds.
Alternative Livestock Watering Systems
This University of Tennessee Extension publication discusses the benefits of excluding livestock from streams, and the resultant need to develop alternative means of watering livestock.
Watering Systems for Serious Graziers
This Missouri NRCS publication covers in detail all aspects of water supply for livestock under rotational grazing management.
Ranch Management Practices to Improve Water Quality
This Oklahoma Producer Grant project fact sheet describes several practices – including permanent sod, limited-access watering points, and buffer strips – to improve water quality in ponds.
Protecting Water Quality While Healing Erosion Caused by Livestock Trails
This Oklahoma Producer Grant project fact sheet includes a farm/ranch profile, project objectives, project description (water line, watering points, results), and tips/lessons learned.
New Use for Old Tires
This fact sheet explains why the Kerr Center livestock program uses old tires from heavy equipment as watering tanks, and describes the process of preparing and installing them.
Riparian Area Management Techniques
This report gives an overview of riparian area management techniques in use on the Kerr Center ranch, including fencing, limited-access watering, and stabilized stream crossing points.
Plant Identification Worksheet
This worksheet includes basic information and notes on 50 plants common in southeastern Oklahoma.
Pasture Legumes: Establishment & Management
This report covers site preparation, lime application, fertilization, weed control, legume selection, seed inoculation, estimating establishment costs, grazing management, companion grasses, winter and summer annual and perennial legumes, and pasture surveying.
Fact Sheet: Grazing Management
This fact sheet summarizes the Kerr Center’s experience with and recommendations for grazing management.
Grazing Management Basics
This presentation covers grazing systems and their benefits, grazing terms and calculations, pasture design, and grazing strategies.
Herd Health Overview
This presentation includes a detailed discussion of vaccines, discusses managing both immunity levels and disease exposure, and addresses the effect of difficult births.
Holistic Approach to Animal Health and Well-Being
This document covers livestock health management from a whole-farm perspective, including an emphasis on “wellness promotion” as opposed to “disease prevention,” and a discussion of stress management.
Goat Health Management Materials List
This list of goat health products used in the Kerr Center’s goat program includes notes on use and suppliers.
Sustainable Livestock Production Circle
This diagram illustrates the basic interconnection between soil, forages, animals, and weather in livestock production.
Heifer Management
This report covers heifer selection and nutrition, early puberty, target weight concept, proper feeding, breeding, calving difficulty, and bull selection.
Soil Health and How it Relates to Healthy Cattle
This presentation covers simple soil health monitoring techniques, basic soil science, and sustainable livestock management.
Managing Goats for Herd Health
This presentation describes a holistic approach to goat health management, and includes a list of related resources.
Forages: What Goats Like and What They Don’t
This presentation describes goats’ feeding behavior and dietary requirements, with an emphasis on managing goats on pasture.
Parasite Control: The Value of Multi-species and Rotational Grazing
This presentation covers ways to use grazing rotations and stocking of multiple livestock species to manage parasites in meat goats.
Reproduction and the Bottom Line
This presentation discusses the management of goat reproduction to maximize profits.
Oklahoma Projects Combine Timber Production with Cattle Grazing
This article describes the implementation and results of two agroforestry projects undertaken on the Kerr Center ranch in the 1990s.
Agroforestry Practices
This report covers general concepts and approaches in agroforestry. It includes references, a reading list, tables of planting distances, and a list of tree species suitable for southeastern Oklahoma.
Agroforestry Overview
This presentation sketches the details of several agroforestry projects on the Kerr Center ranch.
Raising Poultry on Forage
This intern report describes organic, free-range, and pastured poultry production systems, and discusses housing and fencing.
The Kerr Center Chicken Tractor 1.0: Description and Parts List
This intern report describes the chicken tractor used in the Kerr Center’s pastured poultry projects from 2009-2010.
The True Cost of Hay
This intern report compares the cost of baling versus buying hay, taking into account labor, machinery, and fertilizer.
Worming the Way to a Greener Future: Vermicomposting for Municipal Organic Waste Disposal
This paper, by a former Kerr Center intern, explores the pros and cons of large-scale vermicomposting.
Hot Composting with the Berkeley Method
This intern report describes the results of a summer project that attempted to make finished compost in 14 days using the Berkeley method.
Feedstock Guide for a Two-Barrel Nested Biochar Retort
This intern report describes which feedstocks produce the most suitable biochar in a two-barrel biochar retort of a design used at the Kerr Center.
The Effects of Added Mineral Salts on Biochar Yield Using a Two-Barrel Nested Retort
This intern report describes the results of a series of trials designed to determine whether adding different mineral salts affected the quality of biochar produced in a two-barrel retort of a design used at the Kerr Center.
Biochar Feedstock Research Using a Two-Barrel Nested Retort
This intern report describes the results of a series of trials designed to determine which materials produce the most suitable biochar in a two-barrel biochar retort of a design used at the Kerr Center.
Foundation Farm Visit: A No-Till Farm Adventure
This intern report describes a visit to Foundation Farm, a no-till market garden, and reflects on the role of no-till in sustainable agriculture.
Using OSU Extension Service for Pest ID
This intern report outlines two different methods of submitting a plant sample to the OSU Extension Service for plant pest and disease identification.
Beyond Local
This intern report explores various considerations involved in growing, selling, and buying food sustainably and locally.
Agroforestry Report
This intern report covers general concepts and approaches in agroforestry.
Field Notes – January 2015
Heirloom Variety Trial Report 2011: Sweet Potatoes
This report presents the results of our 2011 heirloom sweet potato variety trial.
Exploring Biochar
This intern report consists of an annotated research bibliography on biochar.
Heirloom Variety Trial Report 2011: Organic No-Till Pumpkin Demonstration
This report presents the results of our 2012 no-till organic pumpkin/warm season cover crop trial.
Heirloom Variety Trial Report 2011: Flour and Meal Corn Demonstration
This report presents the results of our 2011 flour and meal corn demonstration.
Heirloom Variety Trial Report 2012: Three Sisters
This report presents the results of our 2012 heirloom Three Sisters variety trial.
Heirloom Variety Trial Report 2008: Okra
This publication presents the results of our 2008 heirloom okra variety trial.
Heirloom Variety Trial Report 2008: Sweet Sorghum
This publication presents the results of our 2008 heirloom sweet sorghum variety trial.
Heirloom Variety Trial Report 2010: Sweet Potato
This report presents the results of our 2010 heirloom sweet potato variety trial.
Farm Made: A Guide to On-Farm Processing for Organic Producers
This report provides an overview of the general requirements for organic certification and for food processing facilities, followed by a discussion of four different on-farm enterprises, including table eggs.
Heirloom Variety Trial Report 2010: Grafted Tomatoes
This report presents the results of our 2010 grafted heirloom tomato variety trial.
Heirloom Variety Trial Report 2010: Tomatoes
This document discusses interesting observations we made in our 2010 heirloom tomato variety trial.
Heirloom Variety Trial Report 2009: Tomatoes
This publication presents the results of our 2009 heirloom tomato variety trial.
Heirloom Variety Trial Report 2009: Squash
This publication presents the results of our 2009 heirloom summer squash variety trial.
Pollinator Plant Profile: Purple Prairie Clover
This fact sheet contains information on planting and growing purple prairie clover, Dalea purpurea.
Pollinator Plant Profile: Maximilian Sunflower
This fact sheet contains information on planting and growing Maximilian sunflower, Helianthus maximiliani.
Pollinator Plant Profile: Rattlesnake Master
This fact sheet contains information on planting and growing rattlesnake master, Eryngium yuccifolium.
Pollinator Plant Profile: Illinois Bundleflower
This fact sheet contains information on planting and growing Illinois bundleflower, Desmanthus illinoensis.
Pollinator Plant Profile: Compassplant
This fact sheet contains information on planting and growing compassplant, Silphium laciniatum.
Pollinator Plant Profile: Goldenrod
This fact sheet contains information on planting and growing goldenrod, Solidago spp.
Pollinator Plant Profile: Mexican hat
This fact sheet contains information on planting and growing Mexican hat, Ratibida columnifera.
Pollinator Plant Profile: Ohio spiderwort
This fact sheet contains information on planting and growing Ohio spiderwort, Tradescantia ohiensis.
Pollinator Plant Profile: Switchgrass
This fact sheet contains information on planting and growing switchgrass, Panicum virgatum.
Pollinator Plant Profile: Indiangrass
This fact sheet contains information on planting and growing indiangrass, Sorghastrum nutans.
Pollinator Plant Profile: Little bluestem
This fact sheet contains information on planting and growing little bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium.
Pollinator Plant Profile: Big Bluestem
This fact sheet contains information on planting and growing big bluestem, Andropogon gerardii.
Pollinator Plant Profile: Indian blanket
This fact sheet contains information on planting and growing Indian blanket (aka firewheel, blanket flower), Gaillardia pulchella.
Pollinator Plant Profile: Giant Coneflower
This fact sheet contains information on planting and growing giant coneflower (aka giant browneyed Susan), Rudbeckia maxima.
Pollinator Plant Profile: Rock Pink
This fact sheet contains information on planting and growing rock pink (aka flower-of-an-hour), Phemeranthus calycinus.
Pollinator Plant Profile: Fogfruit or Frogfruit
This fact sheet contains information on planting and growing fogfruit (aka frogfruit), Phyla nodiflora.
Pollinator Plant Profile: Narrow-leaf Mountain Mint
This fact sheet contains information on planting and growing narrow-leaf mountain mint, Pycnanthemum tenuifolium.
Pollinator Plant Profile: Celestial Lily
This fact sheet contains information on planting and growing celestial lily (aka prairie iris), Nemastylis geminiflora.
Pollinator Plant Profile: Maypop
This fact sheet contains information on planting and growing maypop, Passiflora incarnata.
Growing Your Range Poultry Business: An Entrepreneur’s Toolbox
Cover Crops for Soil Improvement in Crops
General overview of the benefits, considerations, and management of cover crops, including tables of planting and management information for both warm- and cool-season cover crops
Low-Till Vegetable Production: Cover Crops for Oklahoma
Rationale and preliminary results for using cover crops killed in place in raised beds as a low-till market vegetable production system
How Is My Food Grown? Food Labeling for Sustainable Agriculture
Summarizes U.S. food labeling laws; discusses economics of food labeling; analyzes labeling of organic and genetically modified foods, with a comparison of those cases between the United States and the European Union.
A Basic Summary of The National Organic Program Manure and Manure-Compost Regulations
Brief guide to compliance with the National Organic Standard’s regulations for using manure and manure-compost in certified organic farming operations
Organic Foods: What Do We Need to Know About Them?
Brief summary of issues in organic food and farming from a customer’s point of view: definition, benefits, GMOs, pesticides, regulatory agencies, labeling, shopping
Sustainable vs. Industrial Agriculture: How They Compare
Hoeing the Row Out: History of Kerr Center (1965-1996)
Ecologically-Based Communities
Field Notes – May 2018
Field Notes – April 2018
Field Notes – March 2018
Field Notes – February 2018
Field Notes – January 2018
Field Notes – December 2017
Field Notes – November 2017
Field Notes – October 2017
Field Notes – September 2017
Field Notes – August 2017
Field Notes – July 2017
Field Notes – June 2017
Building a Sustainable Business: Lesson 4
Building a Sustainable Business: Lesson 3
Building a Sustainable Business: Lessons 1 & 2
Compost & Soil Humus Resource List
Electric Fence for Small Ruminants
Business Planning and Marketing
Extending the Grazing Season
Forage Strategies for Small Acreages
Selection Procedures for Meat Goat Breeding Programs
Electric Fence FAQ
Dewormers and Dewormer Resistance; Introduction to Eye Scores
Multiple Species Grazing in Oklahoma
Watering Systems
“Grass” and Grazing
Soil Sampling and Analysis
Grazier’s Arithmetic
Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers
Field Notes – May 2017
Field Notes – April 2017
Field Notes – March 2017
Field Notes – February 2017
Field Notes – January 2017
Field Notes – December 2016
Field Notes – November 2016
Field Notes – October 2016
Field Notes – September 2016
Native Plant Seed Catalog and Nursery Sources
Field Notes – August 2016
Cowboy Arithmetic
Extending Grazing and Reducing Stored Feed Needs
A Falling Plate Meter for Estimating Pasture Forage Mass
Hay, Fertility, and Profit
A Profitable, Sustainable Ranch
ATTRA Resources on Sustainable/Organic Pasture and Forage Management
On-Farm Mortality Composting of Livestock Carcasses
USDA-NRCS Soil Health Assessment
Management for Animal Health
2007 Commercial Meat Goat Forage Performance (Buck) Test Report
2008 Commercial Meat Goat Forage Performance (Buck) Test Report
2009 Commercial Meat Goat Forage Performance (Buck) Test Report
2010 Commercial Meat Goat Forage Performance (Buck) Test Report
2011 Oklahoma Forage-Based Buck Test Report
2012 Oklahoma Forage-Based Buck Test Report
Integrated Parasite Management for Your Goats
Home-Built Goat-Working Pens Diagram
Beef Cattle Assessment
Beef Cow Herd Health Protocol
Body Condition Scoring of Beef Cows
Cattle Dentition
ATTRA Resources on Sustainable/Organic Beef Production
Enough Grass to Make Your Head… Rotate
How to Direct Market Your Beef
The Ogallala Aquifer
This paper critically examines the impacts of the increasing use of the Ogallala-with specific focus on the situation in the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandle regions, and the possibility of adopting sustainable development practices to curb the increasing aquifer water depletion and deterioration.
Flowering Periods for Select Oklahoma Wildflowers
Ten Years of Change: SARE 10th Anniversary
Field Notes – July 2016
Field Notes – June 2016
Field Notes – February 2015
Organic Before Organic Was Cool: Oklahoma Rancher Raises Profits on Pasture
Field Notes – May 2016
Livestock Watering Systems, Riparian Areas, and Pond Maintenance
Field Notes – April 2016
Field Notes – March 2016
Field Notes – February 2016
Native Pollinator Web Resources
Field Notes – January 2016
Field Notes – December 2015
Field Notes – November 2015
Field Notes – October 2015
Field Notes – September 2015
Field Notes – August 2015
Field Notes – July 2015
Field Notes – June 2015
Field Notes – May 2015
Field Notes – May 2015 (Special Issue)
Field Notes – April 2015
If April showers bring May flowers, now’s the time to learn what to watch for – or plant – in your pollinator gardens. Several recent Kerr Center publications can help – download them all as an Earth Day treat! Then, pass that treat along to pollinators by putting the information to work, giving them a hand by preserving habitat and planting pollinator-friendly plants, trees and shrubs.
Field Notes – April 2015 (Special Issue)
Field Notes – March 2015
Pastured Poultry: Raising Chickens in a Grass-Based System
Basic Nutrition and Winter Grazing
Layout and Design of Grazing Systems
Field of Dreams
Field Notes: Fall 2014
Resilient Farmer Wrap-up, Beginning Farmer and Rancher program review, our new website launches, newsletter moves to electronic format.
