Research and demonstration projects are eligible for funding during this annual competitive grant program. The program focuses on the Kerr Center's eight points of sustainability. Projects that address any of these eight areas can be submitted for a regular grant. Special grants are also awarded. These are usually for an area in which the Kerr Center feels there is a need for more demonstration and research. This year special grants went to projects having to do with alternative crops. Four grants were funded in this category, and two under the regular program.

Leah Aufill received a $3077 grant to conduct an heirloom tomato and specialty cut flower trial in Perkins. Leah has a half-acre garden in production and a heated hoophouse. Produce is sold though a farmers market twice a week and cut flowers are sold to local florists. The grant will document heirloom tomato production information for growers in Oklahoma. The cut flower trial will also provide information on new varieties of cut flowers for Oklahoma growers. Cooperators include Dr. Mike Schnelle, OSU Horticulture Extension, and as a technical resource, Dr. Lynn Brandenberger of OSU Horticulture Extension.

Sam McClure has a farm and ranch operation along the South Canadian River. Currently, three hundred acres of cropland are irrigated. Peanuts used to be the major crop but due to lower profits, other cropping alternatives are needed. His three-year, $7479 grant will be to research new onion varieties and marketing options. The goal is to help determine the profitability and sustainability of sweet onions as a crop for southeast Oklahoma. Cooperators include Jim Shrefler and Merritt Taylor of the OSU Cooperative Extension Service, Vince Russo of USDA-ARS and David Hubbard of the Hughes County Extension Office.

Lynn Rohrer is located in northwest Oklahoma and farms1000 acres of dry land and 600 acres of irrigated row crops. The main crops are wheat, corn, silage, and stocker/feeder cattle. Lynn's $7378 grant is a demonstration trial to identify hybrid grape varieties for the new wine industry in Oklahoma. Six varieties will be selected to compare against a group of three varieties planted in the spring of 2000. Two field days are planned to help disseminate the results of the trial. Cooperators include Steve Beck of OSU extension for Harper County, and David Hungerford, director of the SCS for Harper County.

Jeanette Sciara received a $3041 three-year grant to establish a demonstration Vinifera (wine grape) vineyard and to document costs and yields per acre for the north central Oklahoma region. The vineyard will be located on her 60-acre farm and will be established over a three year period with four varieties of wine grapes. The cooperator on this project is Jim Motes of OSU.

Frank and Evangeline Schwartz are located in northwest Oklahoma and received a $2706 three year grant entitled "Eggmobile versus Conventional Hen House." Their goal is to have one partner in the family able to stay home and supplement the family income. They will compare cost and production of eggs from hens in a conventional hen house vs. an eggmobile (a mobile hen house). The chickens will be split into two 100 hen groups. The Schwartz's operate a 43-acre ranchette near Orlando. The cooperator is Dave Williams of the Logan County Extension Service.

David Felter is located in southwest Oklahoma and received a $3400 grant to demonstrate the use of Leafcutter bees as an alternative to honey bee pollination of alfalfa. The project will demonstrate the use of leafcutters, principal strategies and some equipment options. David operates a diversified 290 acre farm with some irrigation. Project cooperators include Jan and Wayne Mennie of JWM Leafcutters Inc., Kent Orrel, OSU Extension educator, and Paul Neighbors, a local alfalfa producer.

Grants Awarded to Improve Wildlife Habitat

The Kerr Center issued a special call for grant proposals in the area of wildlife habitat improvement in the fall of 2000 and awarded two grants. The objective was to encourage landowners to develop wildlife habitat within existing farming and ranching operations.

Arleen Godoy submitted a three year, $1500 proposal for the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma. The project title is "Riparian Restoration for Wildlife and Water Quality Protection." The grant will restore a riparian area by fencing it, reintroducing native vegetation and removing exotic species. These steps will improve tribal agricultural operations, improve water quality and ultimately enhance wildlife habitat. The project will be done on property managed for livestock and hay production. Cooperators on the project are Andy Kincaid, Payne County Conservation District; Larry Poindexter, NRCS-Payne County; and Ed Stinchcomb, NRCS-Lincoln County.

Vernon L. Dixon received a $1500, three-year grant to develop habitat for deer, turkey, quail and rabbits. The land currently has large numbers of cedars within existing oak timber. The cedars will be removed to increase mast production. The cut cedars will be used to build brush piles as cover for quail and rabbits. Prairie hay will be cut on more open parts of the property. The cooperator on the project is John Hendrix, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Private Lands Biologist.