2019 Edition, Volume 5

President DR. M. CHRISTOPHER BROWN II

Land Grant Director and Interim Dean, College of Agriculture, Communities, and the Environment DR. KIRK POMPER

Land Grant Director and Interim Dean of the College of Agriculture, Communities, and the Environment Dr. Kirk Pomper is excited to announce Kentucky State University's new Interim Associate Research Director Dr. Christina J. McManus.

Dr. McManus received her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Cornell University in 1994 and her Master of Science and Ph.D. in Veterinary Science specializing in Equine Reproductive Physiology from the University of Kentucky in 1996 and 2001, respectively. Her research focused on the impact of nutritional status on the timing of the breeding season in mares. Dr. McManus was a post-doctoral scholar in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at West Virginia University where she studied the neural signals that regulate secretion of reproductive hormones in sheep and the influence of nutrition on steroidal negative feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Dr. McManus spent the next ten years as a medical writer.

feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Dr. McManus spent the next ten years as a medical writer.

She joined the staff of Kentucky State University in 2017 as the Scientific and Technical Editor for the College of Agriculture, Communities, and the Environment and was appointed to the faculty later that year. Dr. McManus will conduct research into the communication of scientific information to farmers and consumers in her new role.

“We are elated to appoint Dr. McManus to this important research position at Kentucky State,” says Dr. Pomper, who served as associate research director before his appointment as Land Grant Director. “She is going to do great things for our research program and we look forward to the innovative work she and our staff will do to help Kentuckyians and producers around the world.”

Associate Extension Administrator DR. JOHNIE WESTBROOK

Interim Associate Research Director DR. CHRISTINA MCMANUS

Chair, School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Studies DR. JIM TIDWELL

Chair, School of Agriculture, Food, and Environment DR. JOHN SEDLACEK

Chair, School of Family and Consumer Sciences DR. AVINASH TOPÈ

Graphic Designer WYVETTE WILLIAMS

5 Beef research evaluates forage and feed additives Calling all urban farmers

AgKnowledge magazine publishes annually by Kentucky State University Land Grant Program to promote the research and extension work of the 1890 Land Grant Institution.

Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability. Kentucky State University, University of Kentucky, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Kentucky Counties, Cooperating.

6 KYSU Ag is looking for graduate research assistants Research works to prevent soil loss in Kentucky

Photographer JONATHAN PALMER

Contributing Writer ASHLEY BATES

AgKnowledge Project Manager BLAIR HESS

9 Ag Facts: Did you know bees are an important part of Kentucky agriculture? Ag Facts: The benefits of bugs

11 Hard-Earned Successes KYSU Ag graduates 14 bachelors and 15 masters students in college's sixth year

13 Historic Days of Hemp KYSU conducts variety trials and organic research as hemp is legalized by new national Farm Bill 15 The Fruits of Research Kentucky State releases its third pawpaw cultivar named after distinguished university alumni 18 Protecting the Herd Meat goat research aims to improve breeding values, rotational grazing practices, recovery from parasites

15 The Fruits of Research Kentucky State releases its third pawpaw cultivar named after distinguished university alumni

18 Protecting the Herd Meat goat research aims to improve breeding values, rotational grazing practices, recovery from parasites

0 Ag Facts: The impact of Kentucky's farms

Ag Facts: Did you know poultry is the state's leading commodity?

Drone technology allows for new and efficient analysis of forests and land use

Banking on Bass More than two decades of aquaculture research benefits local growers