By Blake Jackson
Hendricks Farms, an eighth-generation family operation based in Logan County, has been named the recipient of the 2026 University of Kentucky Grain Crops Science Service Award. The honor was presented during this year’s UK Winter Wheat Meeting and recognized the farm’s ongoing support for the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s Weed Science Program.
The Grain Crops Science Service Award is given annually to individuals or operations that assist the UK Grain Crops Science Group in conducting research that benefits Kentucky farmers. The award highlights partnerships that allow university researchers to test new ideas under real farming conditions, helping move research from theory into practical application.
For the past four growing seasons, Hendricks Farms has served as an active research site for studies focused on controlling Italian ryegrass in wheat. Working with Martin-Gatton CAFE weed science specialists, the farm installed a Redekop Seed Control Unit on its combine to evaluate how harvest weed seed control impacts ryegrass seed survival during wheat harvest.
“I’ve always felt like we can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results,” said Adam Hendricks. “Italian ryegrass is a real issue in our wheat rotation, so I was interested in anything that might help. If nobody steps up and tries something new, then we’ll never really know what works.”
To support the research, Hendricks Farms set aside multiple acres each year where Italian ryegrass was allowed to remain, creating consistent conditions for testing equipment and management practices. The family also dedicated valuable harvest hours to ensure the research could be completed properly.
“The Hendricks family sacrifices multiple acres each year for our research,” said associate Extension professor of weed science Travis Legleiter. “Additionally, they provide their precious hours during wheat harvest to allow this work to be conducted. Without their help, the Weed Science program would not have been able to conduct this valuable non-chemical weed control research.”
Hendricks Farms has received several past honors, including Logan County Farm Bureau’s Farm of the Year in 2018 and the Master Conservationist Award in 2024.
“On our farm, you can’t just pause harvest and come back later when it’s convenient,” Hendricks said.
“So when Travis and his team need time to run the equipment and collect data, we build that into the day. We’re proud to give them a real-world setting to test it, because that’s how you get answers that actually apply. It takes patience, but it’s worth it.”
Photo Credit: university-of-kentucky
Categories: Kentucky, Business, Crops, Education