By Blake Jackson
On April 5, 2025, a group of graduate students, led by Dr. Maheteme Gebremedhin, visited Capstone Farm in Pleasureville, KY, owned by David Neville. The visit offered a firsthand look at the practicalities of sustainable farming, addressing whether it's truly achievable and realistic.
Neville structured his presentation around On-Farm Demonstration, Profitability, and Site Demonstration, openly sharing his challenging transition from IT to full-time farming and its associated rewards.
Students toured Capstone Farm’s innovative systems, including an aquaponics greenhouse, a vertical farm, and a new Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) hydroponics setup.
They actively participated in farm tasks such as harvesting lettuce, clearing debris, installing fencing, adjusting poles, and cleaning hydroponic rafts.
A key aspect of Capstone Farm's sustainability is its 32kW solar power system, generating 4 megawatt-hours annually. This saves approximately $24,000 and reduces CO₂ emissions by 1,800 pounds. Neville also creatively supplements income by renting goats for invasive species control.
While advocating for sustainability, Neville candidly discussed challenges like the $80,000 solar system cost, community skepticism, and the shift from conventional methods. He emphasized the significance of networking, building relationships, and sharing one's work.
Neville’s core message challenged students to apply their education practically, asking, “All that learning is good, but what are you going to do with it?”
The field trip effectively connected classroom theory with real-world application, demonstrating that sustainability, though demanding, is attainable through innovation, resilience, and community engagement.
Capstone Farm serves as an example of how agriculture can positively impact a region socially, economically, and environmentally.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-nes
Categories: Kentucky, Education