By Blake Jackson
Louisville’s West End is experiencing rapid tree loss, leaving residents exposed to rising temperatures and reduced access to green spaces.
A new collaboration between Kentucky State University and Louisville Grows aims to address this issue while providing workforce training opportunities.
Kentucky State’s Cooperative Extension teams from the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources will partner with Louisville Grows, a nonprofit that has planted over 8,000 trees since 2009.
Together, they will offer training that equips adults with practical skills in conservation, urban forestry, horticulture, and community agriculture.
“Cooperative Extension exists to connect university research with the needs of communities,” said Dr. Tyrell Kahan, Associate Extension Administrator at Kentucky State. “Partnerships like this one show how that mission can improve lives while preparing people for the opportunities of tomorrow.”
“Our longstanding commitment has been to strengthen communities through urban forestry and community agriculture,” Christine Brinkman, executive director of Louisville Grows said.
“Bringing horticulture more intentionally into the mix allows us to expand that work with research-based training that creates healthier neighborhoods and new workforce opportunities.”
The initiative will pair classroom instruction with hands-on experience in greenhouse management, tree planting, orchard development, soil restoration, and community-based agriculture.
Kentucky State specialists will support curriculum design, credentialing, and evaluation, while faculty contribute expertise in sustainable production systems, urban agriculture, and workforce pathways.
Jody Thompson, Agriculture & Natural Resources Program Leader at Kentucky State, highlighted the program’s alignment with the University’s land-grant mission. “Louisville Grows has built a strong foundation for community-driven environmental progress,” Thompson said.
“By joining forces, we can extend the University’s land-grant mission into Louisville’s neighborhoods, ensuring adults gain the skills needed for meaningful careers while communities benefit from stronger food systems and resilient landscapes.”
Dr. Suraj Upadhaya, assistant professor of sustainable systems at Kentucky State, said, “From restoring the city’s tree canopy to advancing horticulture and building food security, this partnership connects local needs with statewide expertise.”
Alethea Bernard, co-principal investigator at Kentucky State, noted, “When training connects directly to community needs, it strengthens both participants and neighborhoods.” The program aims to create a replicable model for workforce readiness in horticulture, conservation, and community agriculture.
Photo Credit: istock-pyzata
Categories: Kentucky, General