Welcome to the 2019 issue of AgKnowledge magazine, an annual publication of Kentucky State University's (KYSU) Land Grant Program including its College of Agriculture, Communities, and the Environment and its Cooperative Extension Program. This annual report is designed to highlight the research and Extension activities that our faculty and staff are conducting at Kentucky State University.
The KYSU Cooperative
Extension Program works to develop
educational programs that address relevant needs affecting underserved people in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. In 2017, we worked with a statewide advisory council to develop a five-year strategic plan, “Transforming Kentuckyians: Racing Toward Excellence,” to provide a foundation for the program to become a premier provider of educational programming in the Commonwealth. That document is available for download at kysu.edu/extension.
In 2018, we continued our work toward these strategic goals and we hope you find evidence of some of our accomplishments in the pages of this magazine. In 2018 we continued to grow as a program, adding additional Extension field staff and focusing our efforts in the areas of 4-H youth development, community development, nutrition, and small farm outreach. We work to develop research-based educational programs that address relevant needs affecting underserved and under-represented audiences in the state. Our Extension staff works to provide a broad array of educational programs related to agriculture and natural resources, community development, family and consumer sciences, and 4-H youth development. Throughout 2019 and into the coming years, we will continue to engage our partner, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, and local, state and federal partners to help underserved clientele reach their full potential in a rapidly changing society. Through innovative delivery methods, we will work to strengthen and develop new partnerships and seek external funding to attain our goals and objectives.
Please enjoy the stories in this magazine and connect with us online at kysu.edu/ag and through social media—@kysuag on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter—to let us know how we can be of service to your organization or community. We encourage Kentuckians to join us on our journey as we develop educational programs that will help transform the residents of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Johnnie Westbrook, Ph.D.
Associate Extension Administrator
Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Program
2019 Edition, Volume 5
President
DR. M. CHRISTOPHER BROWN II
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
AgKnowledge Project Manager
BLAIR HESS
Graphic Designer
WYVETTE WILLIAMS
Photographer
JONATHAN PALMER
Contributing Writer
ASHLEY BATES
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.
5 Apply for a grant today!
KYSU hosts hemp field days
6 After school program for youth encourages conflict resolution and coping strategies
Extension professionals collaborate with other 1890 Land Grant programs
7 State Extension Council (SEC) summer meeting
Kentucky featured as the Spotlight State at the annual Sunbelt Agriculture Expo in Georgia
KYSU works to connect
underserved farming
populations with available
resources
8 Attend a Third Thursday
Thing workshop in 2019
All aboard the KY River
Thorobred
9 Agriculture in the Classroom
KYSU Extension works with Russellville High School to create aquaponics greenhouse and new class
3 Get Ready for Robotics
4-H in Louisville uses this hands-on technology to teach youth STEM skills; KYSU relaunches Rosenwald Center for 4-H Youth Development
16 Supporting Small Farms
Innovative Small-Scale Farm Grant Program helps Kentucky farm families grow their enterprises
16 Supporting Small Farms
Innovative Small-Scale Farm Grant Program helps Kentucky farm families grow their enterprises
Community Aquaculture
Indoor shrimp farms at school greenhouses help Kentuckyans explore sustainable aquaculture
21 Rookie of the Year
Innovative nutritional
cooking camps teach
cooking and life skills
to all ages
25 Mobile Meats
Processing trailer
allows small producers
to prepare poultry, fish
for markets