In January, the Kerr Center awarded four grants through its Oklahoma Producer Grant Program. This is the fifth year for the program with many excellent grant proposals submitted. The proposals were evaluated by an independent technical committee of farmers, ranchers, and agriculture professionals.

Both research and demonstration projects were eligible for funding during this annual competitive grant program. Money was available for two- and three-year grants. The program focused on the Kerr Center's eight points of sustainability, which address: soil health and erosion, water quality and conservation, organic waste management, Oklahoma-adapted crops and livestock, bio-diversity, environmentally-safe pest management, energy conservation, and farm diversification and profitability.

Kenneth McMennamy, who owns and operates JKR Ranch near Quinton, received a three-year grant to reclaim native rangeland. The area to be reclaimed was originally a savanna type ecosystem. The project will use a 100 ft. anchor chain with a six foot ball in the middle to remove the brush. The project differs from conventional chaining operations because it will only be done in one direction, thereby reducing the cost per acre substantially.
The site will remain this way for one year to allow the native range plants to begin reestablishment. When sufficient fuel is built up the area will be burned, further opening up the stand to sunlight. Rotational grazing and fire will be used to maintain the grassland. McMennamy's project is an example of a way to manage pests (brush) with minimal environmental impact
Cooperators in this project include Jerry Mathiews, NRCS District Conservationist, Terry Bidwell, Professor of Rangeland Ecology at OSU, Mark Ward of Mark's Roustabout Service, and Chris Parrington of the Oklahoma Department of Forestry.

Located near Carmen, Tom Jamison received a two-year grant for a project titled "Enhancing Soil Life with Compost Tea." Research on compost teas has increased of late, and some research suggests that compost tea applications may improve poor soils. The project goal is to determine if poor soils can be improved by compost tea and if it is economical. Creating healthy soil is one way that farms can become more sustainable and is one of the Kerr Center's points of sustainability. Roger Gribble, NW Area Extension Agronomist, Jim Rhodes, Woods County Extension Agent, Walt Davis Rancher/ Consultant and Kim Barker, Rancher/Consultant are cooperators.

Mike Green is located near Perry and received a two-year grant for his project: "An Alternative Disease-Resistant Crop to Increase Productivity and Profit for the Small Farmer." His project involves developing marigolds as an alternative botanical cash crop for Oklahoma. Marigolds produce oleoresin which will be extracted from the flower petals. Oleoresin is used in the manufacture of salves and lutein ointments. The goal of the project is to determine the feasibility of raising a botanical such as marigolds in Oklahoma. This project may help Green improve profitability on his farm. Professor Neils Maness, Post-Harvest Technology at OSU is the project cooperator.

"Specialty Bulb Production Possibilities for Oklahoma Growers" is what Bill Farris of Noble will be exploring with his three-year grant. The project will explore the growing and marketing of specialty flower bulbs in Oklahoma. Diversifying farming operations can often help farmers improve profitability and decrease risk. Several bulb production experiments will be conducted over the three-year project. Cooperators are Dr. Mike Schnelle of the OSU Department of Horticulture and L. A. and Bud Hervey of vanBloem Gardens in Dallas.

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