By Blake Jackson
Kentucky State University researchers recently joined farmers at Boulden Farms in Mason County to showcase regenerative agriculture practices aimed at improving crop production while protecting soil and other natural resources.
Held on August 27, 2026, the field day was part of “A Step Toward Regenerative Farming — Small-Scale Farming,” a multi-county initiative led by Dr. Maheteme Gebremedhin and supported by funding from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). Mr. Edwin W. Chavous, Kentucky State’s small farmer outreach training and technical assistance coordinator, moderated the event.
Dr. Marcus Bernard, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources and director of Land Grant Programs, emphasized the importance of collaboration between researchers and producers.
“Building strong relationships between Kentucky State University and farmers is essential to ensuring that our research and Extension efforts respond to the real needs of Kentucky’s agricultural communities,” said Dr. Marcus Bernard, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources and Director of Land Grant Programs, at the start of the daylong event.
The event was hosted by third-generation farmer Mr. J.R. Boulden and his family. Boulden raises cattle and produces tobacco and corn. Four additional farmer partners in Todd, Lincoln, Madison, and LaRue counties are participating in the project, giving researchers opportunities to evaluate farming practices under actual production conditions.
Kentucky State’s Soil Health Group is studying conventional and reduced tillage, cover crops and biochar, a soil amendment produced by heating organic material with limited oxygen. Researchers are examining how these practices affect crop performance and soil conditions over time.
Mr. Alan Moore, a USDA-NRCS soil data quality specialist, discussed how chemical and biological soil testing can help identify problems and guide landowners toward conservation practices suited to their goals.
Early findings from the first complete cropping season were presented by research associate Mr. Richard Ojo. The initial data indicated that corn yields with reduced tillage were about 3.8% higher than conventional tillage, while soil carbon was approximately 4.6% higher.
Ojo stressed that additional monitoring will be necessary to determine longer-term effects.
Dr. Gebremedhin cautioned farmers against drawing conclusions from first-year results.
“These plots are in transition,” he said. “You have to go through it. It’s a learning process.”
Participants later toured research plots and discussed equipment needs, labor, transition expenses, technical assistance and changes in soil health.
“Our farmer partners strengthen every stage of the research,” said Dr. Kahan Tyrell, Associate Extension administrator at Kentucky State University. “Their experience helps shape the questions we ask and how we interpret the results.”
The project aims to turn research findings into practical knowledge that can help Kentucky farmers build healthier soils, strengthen crop resilience, and expand conservation practices.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-mvburling
Categories: Kentucky, Crops, Education