Producer Grant Program Recipients: 2007 & 2008

The Oklahoma Producer Grant Program supports farmer and rancher innovation with cash grants.  The first of its kind in Oklahoma, the program funds both research and demonstration projects for up to $3,500 for a two-year project, and up to $7,500 for a three-year project.

2007

The 2007 Oklahoma Producer Grant Program supported three two-year projects related to season extension for Oklahoma’s Farm to School Program. Each grant recipient is developing a relationship with a local school and documenting that experience.

Todd Griffith, TG Farms, Norman
Season Extension for Strawberries ($3,500)

Todd has a retail greenhouse operation and grows a variety of vegetables on his 80-acre farm near Norman.  His project will investigate the use of three systems to lengthen the strawberry harvest season for farm to school production.  Growing the strawberries on plastic in an annual system, he will measure yield and ripening dates in a cold frame, under a grow blanket outside the cold frame, and in the open weather. Todd will also be working with a selected school to provide strawberries for the cafeteria in his second year. He will use this information to help develop a distribution model for
different size schools and producers.  

Joe and Vicki Townsend,
THE Farm, Atoka
Passive Root Zone Heating System for Cold Frames ($3,340)

The Townsends operate a small organic farm between Hugo and Atoka, where they have been developing season extension techniques for several years.  Their project will use a small fan to force warm air from the ceiling of the greenhouse through tubes buried under beds in a coldframe.  They will measure temperature differences and yields, and develop a cost analysis. The Townsends will test a variety of vegetables in the beds, and sell the produce to small schools in the area, focusing on salad bar items.  The Townsends are hosting one of the Kerr Center’s 2008 Field Days on May 4. See related article

Tod Hanley, Trebuchet Gardens, Norman
Plastic Coldframe Cover Evaluation ($2,450)

Tod and his fiancee Jamie grow greens and other
vegetables for various markets in the Norman area.  Over several years, Tod has developed economical coldframe construction methods. His project will compare the effects of three different coverings on growing conditions in the coldframe.  He will measure temperature and yield. Tod and Jamie will organize field trips to educate kids about healthy foods as one way of working with schools to get Oklahoma food into Oklahoma schools.
For more information about the Oklahoma Farm to School Program, visit  www.kerrcenter.com/farm_to_school.

2008

The 2008 call for proposals was a general call based on the eight points of sustainability (see sidebar).  The four grant recipients developed their project proposals with one of the eight points as a focus.  This general call usually brings many good, diverse projects,
and 2008 was no exception. 

Jeremy Eaton, Cashion
Freshwater Prawn (Shrimp) Production
(2 years, $3,345)

Jeremy currently runs a commercial sheep operation. His project will investigate the economic feasibility of freshwater prawn in Oklahoma. He will measure feed costs and growth rates, and investigate marketing avenues and production issues. The Autry Technology Center will assist with economic and marketing analysis.

Kathy Moore, Anichini-Moore Ranch & Farm, Woodward
Soil Building Methods for Garden Production
(3 years, $7,500)

Kathy will compare different soil amendments in small food garden plots.  To four identically planted plots, she will add composted yard waste, cover crops, commercial fertilizer, or no amendment (control).  She will measure food yields as well as soil nutrients and organic matter.  Kathy wants to raise awareness of the importance of using valuable yard waste for replacing soil fertility instead of hauling it to a landfill.  She hopes to encourage water conservation through mulching and use of drip irrigation.
  
Bill Sears, B and R Greenhouse, Talihina
Solar Pump System for Greenhouses
(2 years, $3,500)

Bill has been producing bedding and foliage plants for many years, always seeking to cut costs for better production management.  His project will investigate and develop the most cost efficient solar pumping system.  He will also compare the effects of pond versus city water on water unit cost and growth rates of different flowers (impatiens, peperomia, and poinsettia) in container flats.  Bill will develop a fact sheet on the increasing cost effectiveness of solar energy.

Dr. Dave Sparks, Porum
Multi-species Grazing for Goat Parasite Management (3 years, $7,500)

Goat parasites are a growing problem in the South.  Dr. Sparks hypothesizes that cattle can reduce goat parasite loads by consuming the parasites’ larvae as they graze.  He will use fecal samples to measure parasite loads in goats that are rotated through pastures where cattle have grazed. Dr. Steve Hart of Langston University will assist with sample testing, and Bob Woods of Oklahoma State University will consult on agronomic issues.

For more information about the Oklahoma Producer Grant Program, visit www.kerrcenter.com/HTML/opg.html.