The Cannon Horticulture Project’s current work continues the Kerr Center’s long history with:
- organic production
- season extension
- crops adapted to the soils and climate of the bioregion
- crops suitable for small acreages and direct marketing
The Cannon Horticulture Project focuses on organic system design and management. Its four-year “bioextensive” rotation devotes half the available acreage to cover crops in “green fallow.”
This trades land (production area) for the inputs otherwise required for weed control (labor, energy, and other external inputs).
The site encompasses almost seven acres, not quite three of which are cultivated. Demonstrations on the site are tailored to commercial market gardens in the same size range.
The plots also contain demonstrations of still smaller scale methods for home and market gardens, including the biointensive approach.
Labor:
- two full-time year-round employees
- one to two full-time seasonal interns
- occasional assistance from other staff
Interns have driven several aspects of the work, including:
- biochar
- vermicomposting
- biointensive demonstrations
Learn About…
Tools and Equipment
Selected to enable successful management of this size farm with the available labor. Learn more
Season Extension
Get crops started earlier; keep them growing longer. Learn more
Pest Management
Build healthy, living soil, and use appropriate cultural practices. Apply approved pesticides only if needed, and as part of an integrated pest management approach. Learn more
Related Publications
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.
Organic Bio-Extensive Management Revisited
This report recounts the lessons learned from nine years of organic management of the Cannon Horticulture plots.
Seeds, Seeding, and Growing Transplants
This presentation covers seed biology, germination, storage, variety selection, planting dates, field & greenhouse plantings, and growing out transplants.
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.
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.
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 seed starting guide covers both spring and fall planting dates for the Arkansas River Valley (but is easily adapted to other areas).
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.
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.
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
