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.  

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.  

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

For a complete description, see http://www.kerrcenter.com/internship.htm

For further information, contact:

George Kuepper, Internship Coordinator
918-647-9123
gkuepper@kerrcenter.com