Internship Opportunity Announcement—2009

The Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture is announcing its 2009 internship opportunities at the Stewardship Ranch, near Poteau, Oklahoma.  These internships are part of a long-term educational program to build a School of Sustainability that will provide a diversity of educational and training opportunities in sustainable food and agriculture. The School of Sustainability is in its “groundbreaking” phase and the 2009 student interns will work alongside staff to set the stage for future programming.

What Kerr Center Interns Will Do:

Practical Hands-On Learning: The School of Sustainability’s programming will focus primarily on sustainable livestock and organic horticulture. Intern activities in 2009 will include practical field, and when necessary, laboratory and shop work, in these two areas. The livestock program is building primarily around: 1) the preservation and production of Pineywoods cattle—a heritage breed; 2) establishment of a Kiko goat herd; 3) the development of Management Intensive Grazing (MIG) for the Pineywoods and Kiko stock, and 4) evaluation of meat goat genetics for forage-based production—an on-going trial done in cooperation with Oklahoma State University.  Intern activities in this area may include fence building, MIG management activities, animal health management, and weighing and scoring goat performance.

The horticulture program is currently focused on organic soil building, weed management strategies, evaluation and preservation of heritage vegetable varieties, and extended season production. We also have on-going blueberry and pawpaw variety trials, and do traditional sorghum syrup making.  Interns will assist in various aspects of horticultural work that may include planting, cultivation, irrigation, composting, and harvest activities.

Educational Support: Interns will be integrated into the broad educational program of the Kerr Center, which includes some activities not directly linked to the School of Sustainability, but which are consistent with our goals of furthering sustainable farming and food systems.  Interns may be asked to play supporting roles in Kerr Center’s various educational activities. These activities might involve writing or updating publications, Web or library research, conducting on-ranch tours, and helping out with workshops and conferences.

Academic: Interns will also spend about 20%-30% of their time in guided learning activities. This may include academic reading and study, attending local field days, workshops, and meetings, screening educational videos, or researching a special interest topic.  In all instances, topics addressed will be relevant to sustainable agriculture and supportive of Kerr Center’s work.

Living and Working Conditions:

Hands-on work in horticulture and livestock can be tiring and physically demanding.  Work during the summer months can be especially so due to heat, humidity, and pests.  Those with health conditions that might be limited by these conditions ought not apply.

Interns are expected to work and study a minimum of 40 hours each week.  The standard work week at the Kerr Center is 8:00 am–5:00 pm, Monday—Friday.  However, the needs of livestock and crop management, inclement weather, and the scheduling of educational events may require some evening and weekend time.  Flexibility of scheduling should be expected. 

Intern housing is located about 7 miles from the Ranch in Poteau.  Interns must provide their own transportation to and from the Ranch.

Supervision:
Supervision will be provided by the Kerr Center’s internship coordinator and the staff managing livestock, horticulture, and other project areas.

Compensation:
Interns will be provided with a stipend of $600/month plus housing and basic utilities.   

Length of Terms:
The following terms are available:

We are seeking high quality, self-motivated individuals, and can be flexible with regard to lengths of term, and starting and ending dates.

Minimum Qualifications: 
Applicants:

• Must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years of age, interested in sustainable agriculture. 
• Must have a valid U.S. driver’s license and provide their own transportation to and from Kerr Center headquarters. 
• Must be in good physical health and able to do moderate physical labor (e.g. lift 50 lbs) for extended periods.
• Must have basic computer and communication skills

To apply:
We would like a resume outlining your educational and work background, a letter of interest, and three references.  In your letter, please express: 1) your preference for work primarily with livestock or with horticulture (if you have no preference, please state so); 2) the length of term or term(s) you are seeking.  If you have experience and skills at writing, video development, or formatting documents, a sample of your recent work would also be welcome.  Mail or email your application to George Kuepper at the address provided below.

We will acknowledge receipt of your application.  Face-to-face interviews will be arranged for promising applicants prior to final selection.

Preference will be given to permanent or temporary residents of the Midsouth, who are enrolled in graduate or undergraduate degree programs in agriculture, ecology, environmental policy and related fields.  We especially welcome those who might seek college credit for their experience at the Kerr Center and will provide whatever documentation your academic department might require.  While college-age students are our target audience, we will give full consideration to applications from non-traditional students and others. 

Application Deadline:
We hope to select all our 2009 interns in early Fall of 2008.   If interested in an internship with the Kerr Center, you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, since only a few are available.   However, we will continue to accept applications until suitable candidates are identified.

For Further Information, contact:

George Kuepper
Internship Coordinator
Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture
P.O. Box 588
Poteau, OK  74953
918-647-9123
gkuepper@kerrcenter.com

Some Background on the Kerr Center:

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.

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.

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.

Current programs of the Kerr Center include: 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.  The School of Sustainability was added as a new program in late 2007.

For general information on the Kerr Center, write us at P.O. Box 588, Highway 271 South, Poteau, OK 74953. Our phone number is 918.647.9123; fax is 918.647.8712; e-mail is mailbox@kerrcenter.com.  You can also visit our Web site: www.kerrcenter.com

Back to Top