The Kerr Center awarded five grants through its Oklahoma Producer Grant Program in 1999. The proposals were evaluated by an independent technical committee of farmers, ranchers and ag professionals. Both research projects and demonstrations are eligible for funding in this competitive grant program. The grants awarded addressed soil conservation and quality, water quality, biodiversity, profitability, and pest management.
Goats are important as a source of income and non-chemical brush control.
Ranch manager Wallace Olson is concerned about the impact goats may have on vegetation, white-tailed deer, and bobwhite quail. The project will explore the optimum stocking rate which allows continuous goat production while minimizing the impact on wildlife. Cooperators include Grant Huggins of the Noble Foundation, Mark Moseley of NRCS, Steve Hart of Langston University, Sam Fuhlendorf of OSU, and Roy Ball, Craig County Extension agent. Francis Murphy ranches in Osage County on the Kansas-Oklahoma State line. Murphy's project will use organic matter to restore salt damaged land .