Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture?
The Kerr Center is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit educational foundation
established in 1985. The home office, farm, and ranch are located
near Poteau in southeastern Oklahoma. The Kerr Center also operates
a historical farm and museum near Sallisaw, Oklahoma.
What is its mission statement?
The mission of the Kerr Center is to assist in developing sustainable
food and farming systems by:
Supporting farms that provide a perpetual stream of economic goods
and ecological/environmental benefits, and which enhance the quality
of life of farm families, rural residents and society as a whole;
Promoting markets made up of independently owned and operated farms
and firms of a scale appropriate to offer a wide variety of product
choices for consumers and economic opportunities for existing and beginning
farmers;
Encouraging communities to protect the land from misuse, exploitation,
and unfettered urban development, to ensure inclusion and equality of
opportunity for all; to promote community food security; and support
to economic development from within;
Proclaiming the need for a culture that respects the earth and all
of its diversity of life, and recognizes the physical, social and spiritual
connections between people within a higher order of things.
How is the Kerr Center supported?
The Kerr Center operates on the earnings from its own endowment,
grants, and donations. Individuals may donate through the Friends of
the Kerr Center program.
How was the Kerr Center created?
The Kerr Foundation was established in 1965 from the estate
of Senator Robert S. Kerr. The agricultural division of that entity
served farmers and ranchers until 1985. In that year, the Kerr Foundation
was separated into four new foundations. The "ag division"
became the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture, continuing and expanding
upon its primary work of educational outreach to Oklahoma farmers and
ranchers.
What are the Kerr Center programs?
Current programs are: Oklahoma Producer Grants, Public Policy
Institute, Stewardship Farm, Education/Communications, and the Overstreet-Kerr
Historical Farm. The Oklahoma Food Policy Council is a joint project
of the Kerr Center and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food,
and Forestry.
Who is on staff?
The fourteen member staff has expertise in the various agricultural
sciences, biology/ecology, public policy, law, and communications.
What does the Kerr Center have to offer?
The Kerr Center works for and with rural people and communities
in Oklahoma and across the nation. Our focus is on education with program
staff producing a variety of publications for use by farmers, ranchers,
agriculture professionals, and leaders on the local and state level.
The center also produces a free quarterly newsletter and sponsors a
number of educational events each year. In addition research and demonstration
projects are ongoing at the Stewardship Farm.
What are the values by which it is governed?
The Kerr Center believes that sustainable agriculture must be socially
equitable, profitable for producers and ecologically sound. The Kerr
Center values and supports the family farm structure of agriculture,
a fair playing field for independent farmers and ranchers, public research
for the public domain, the enhancement and protection of natural resources,
respect for nature, local food systems and better communities.
Expanded statement of core values.
How do I contact the Kerr Center?
Contact the Kerr Center at P.O. Box 588, Highway 271 South, Poteau,
OK 74953. Our phone number is 918.647.9123, our fax is 918.647.8712.
Or e-mail us at mailbox@kerrcenter.com.
