Kentucky State University announces the acquisition of a new research farm dedicated to the study of environmentally sustainable crop development. The 100-acre farm, located just outside of Frankfort, was purchased through USDA research grant funding, and will support research in testing crops that can be grown in an environmentally sustainable manner.
The University’s sustainable agriculture program is designed to provide more profitable income opportunities for small family farms, promote environmental stewardship, and enhance the quality of life for farm families and communities. The new research farm will serve as a hub for interdisciplinary research, bringing together faculty and students from a variety of fields to investigate crops that require less water and fertilizer, are resistant to pests and diseases, and can be grown using environmentally friendly practices.
"We are thrilled to expand our initiatives in sustainable agriculture with the acquisition of this new research farm," said Dr. Kirk Pomper, dean of the College of Agriculture, Community, and the Sciences, at Kentucky State. “The new farm also has forested land that will support student research in water quality and forest health management, and farmland that will be monitored via agritechnology methods.”
One of the primary areas of focus for the new research farm will be the study of new crops that can be grown in a sustainable way. The goal is to develop crops that are both sustainable and profitable for farmers, helping to support local food systems and promote economic development.
Source: kysu.edu
Photo Credit: Kentucky State University
Categories: Kentucky, Education, Sustainable Agriculture