Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Established in 1985, the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture is headquartered on the historic Kerr Ranch near Poteau in southeastern Oklahoma. Under the leadership of Dr. James E. Horne, the center has become known for addressing economic, social, and environmental challenges faced by Oklahoma's farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. The center has been a pioneer in bringing new ideas and sustainable practices to the state, demonstrating these through various projects on its 4,000-acre ranch.

The Kerr Center operates a 285-acre Stewardship Farm and Ranch where staff engage in diverse agricultural activities including raising meat goats, Pineywoods cattle, and poultry, as well as cultivating organic and horticultural crops. The center emphasizes conservation practices such as stream and pond protection, conservation buffer strips, and stabilized stream crossings. They also focus on building soil health through cover crops, composting, and biochar, and support pollinator-friendly landscapes with native plants. Their approach integrates management-intensive grazing and agroforestry to enhance ecological resilience.

The Kerr Center supports local food initiatives through programs like The Oklahoma Food Connection and Buy Fresh Buy Local, making locally-grown foods accessible statewide. They offer extensive free resources on their website, including information on farming, gardening, livestock raising, and local food systems. The center also hosts educational events such as workshops and field days, and runs programs like the Oklahoma Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program and the SARE Professional Development Program.