By Blake Jackson
The University of Kentucky Research and Education Center (UKREC) has championed farm ecosystem improvement for a century, pioneering sustainability research relevant to Kentucky farmers.
Early work focused on land reclamation and soil fertility through amendments and crop rotation. A mid-century report noted the remarkable improvement of previously unproductive sandstone land through these practices.
Even as post-WWII agriculture embraced machinery and chemicals, UKREC maintained its focus on environmental sustainability. Since the 1960s, UKREC has been instrumental in the development and promotion of no-till and minimum-till farming, now a widespread practice reducing soil erosion, compaction, and increasing moisture and organic matter, often with comparable or better yields.
Chad Lee, UK Department of Plant and Soil Sciences extension professor, emphasizes that "Kentucky farmers in the 1960s were adopting revolutionary concepts to keep soil in its place," establishing practices beneficial for both soil and the wider environment.
Water management is another key area. Following a significant drought, UKREC initiated irrigation studies to address water quantity and quality. Professor Ole Wendroth's research with a local farmer explored precision agriculture tools and variable-rate irrigation to conserve water and prevent nutrient runoff.
“Irrigation keeps the soil wet, which means plant roots better penetrate the soil and take up nutrients," Wendroth said. “This lowers the amount of nitrogen in the soil and reduces our risk of nitrate leaching during the winter, when we tend to have a lot of rainfall.”
Carrie Knott, UKREC’s current director, notes that "Farmers are the ultimate conservationists," driven by their intimate knowledge and reliance on the land.
Lee adds that UKREC’s work has laid the groundwork for sustainable and regenerative agriculture, with many Kentucky farmers already implementing these practices for generations.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-songbird839
Categories: Kentucky, Crops