By Blake Jackson
Kentucky State University students presented innovative business proposals to address rising agricultural input costs and improve farm profitability during the Global Agribusiness Case Study Competition. Their projects focused on resource sharing, transportation efficiency, and regenerative farming practices to help producers manage expenses and retain more income.
The competition, centered on the theme “Keeping Agriculture Profitable: Strategic Solutions to Rising Input Costs,” challenged students to develop practical solutions to financial pressures facing agricultural producers. Their recommendations were presented at the 84th Professional Agricultural Workers Conference, held October 25-27, 2026, in Montgomery, Alabama.
Fifteen Kentucky State undergraduate and graduate students participated in the conference, joining agricultural researchers, professionals, and land-grant university representatives.
Undergraduates Aiden Burrows, Zora Cheatham, and Tadan Ferguson proposed the “RoundTrip Agri-Logistics Model,” a farmer-owned transportation business involving 30 Kentucky farms sharing a truck.
The concept would use the vehicle to transport agricultural products to buyers and bring crop nutrients and other supplies back to participating farms. This arrangement could reduce transportation expenses while giving farmers ownership in the operation.
Graduate student Akanksha Gautam and undergraduate Anthony Ng’andwe presented “FarmLoop: Cutting Grain Farmers’ Input Costs through Shared Resources and Gradual Regenerative Farming.” Their proposal combined shared agricultural resources with a gradual transition to regenerative practices to reduce production expenses and limit the financial risks associated with changing farming methods.
Beyond the competition, Kentucky State faculty and students contributed six educational sessions and nine research posters covering animal health, entomology, controlled-environment agriculture, crop productivity, sustainability, and local food systems.
Graduate student Christian Shema Bagiruwigize highlighted the professional benefits of participating in the conference.
“I was able to engage with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and build meaningful professional connections that will open doors to opportunities and guide my career moving forward,” Bagiruwigize said.
The university delegation was led by Dr. Marcus Bernard, dean of the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources. Faculty members also served as presenters, judges, and conference volunteers.
Students additionally explored Montgomery's agricultural and cultural history. Undergraduate Zora Nooks emphasized the importance of recognizing Black farmers and agricultural contributions of previous generations, reinforcing “how important it is to honor those who came before us and to take care of each other.”
For undergraduate Jade McCargo, the conference provided valuable professional connections and a broader understanding of agriculture's role in communities and the economy.
“I learned the importance of networking and building meaningful relationships while also gaining a deeper knowledge of how deeply rooted farming is in our community, economy, and everyday lives,” McCargo said.
Photo Credit: kentucky-state-university
Categories: Kentucky, Education