2017 Edition, Volume 3 Project Manager BLAIR HESS Graphic Designer WYVETTE WILLIAMS Contributing Photographers CHET WHITE, CHARLES WEIBEL, ELLIOTT HESS
It is with great pleasure that we present the third edition of the College of Agriculture, Food Science, and Sustainable Systems' (CAFSSS) and KSU Land Grant Program AgKnowledge magazine. This publication is designed to highlight the research and extension activities that the CAFSSS scientists are currently conducting at Kentucky State University.
In the past year, our faculty, staff and students have concentrated on research and extension programming to serve the stakeholders of the Commonwealth, with an emphasis on serving the underserved in rural and urban settings. We have held local and national workshops to help further our efforts to support agriculture in Kentucky communities, and we have been awarded many hard-earned grants to help us with that mission. We will continue to build valuable partnerships with community and government organizations, and promote our mission to prospective students and collaborators.
The KSU CAFSSS faculty, staff and students have continued to make great strides as a leading institution for teaching, research and extension. We are here to help our stakeholders. Please give us your feedback on how we can help you solve your problems. If you do not currently receive a newsletter or literature, please call our office and subscribe to future publications. You can receive these by postal mail or by email. Thanks again for reading, and we hope you can use the information provided in the magazine.
Project Manager BLAIR HESS Graphic Designer WYVETTE WILLIAMS Contributing Photographers CHET WHITE, CHARLES WEIBEL, ELLIOTT HESS
Interim President DR. AARON THOMPSON Land Grant Director DR. KIRK POMPER Associate Extension Administrator DR. JOHNNIE WESTBROOK Interim Assistant Extension Administrator DR. COURTNEY OWENS Interim Assistant Research Director DR. BOB DURBOROW Chair, Division of Aquaculture DR. JAMES TIDWELL Interim Chair, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources DR. JOHN SEDLACEK
AgKnowledge magazine publishes annually by Kentucky State University's College of Agriculture, Food Science, and Sustainable Systems and aims 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.
3 THE ORGANIC APPROACH Research aims to establish best management practices for Kentucky farmers 23 THE CASE FOR KOI Breeding koi for weed control and ornamental value 29 TECHNOLOGY OF THE FUTURE KSU uses drones to study farm and land management activities 5 CULTIVATING GROWTH New Land Grant Director leads program and pawpaw research into the future 31 ANALYZING STEM CELLS Program plans to evaluate effects of pesticide exposure on stem cells 8 BENEFITS OF BUGS Research works to attract beneficial insects to improve control of crops 32 THE IMPACT OF SOIL Research investigates livestock emission using eddy flux covariance 9 ALL THE BUZZ Research aims to protect honeybees from harmful pathogens 33 MANAGING OUR SOIL Research analyzes soil composition to improve upon growth 12 SECURING THE HIVE Researchers study midgut to explain honeybee decline 35 HELPING THE HERD Goat research at KSU focuses on forage based production and breed selection 13 PROTECTING OUR POLLINATORS Investigator studies effects of environmental stressors on honeybees 37 FOOD SAFETY FIRST KSU research helps small scale farmers produce safe food for consumers 14 A BLOOMING INDUSTRY Research introduces temperature tolerances in orchids for growth in Kentucky 38 EXPANDING THE MARKET Research investigates value-added
3 THE ORGANIC APPROACH Research aims to establish best management practices for Kentucky farmers
5 CULTIVATING GROWTH New Land Grant Director leads program and pawpaw research into the future
Dr. Kirk Pomper Land Grant Director College of Agriculture, Food Science, and Sustainable Systems and Land Grant Program
15 MAKING WAVES KSU Aquaculture leads the country in research and Extension 23 THE CASE FOR KOI Breeding koi for weed control and ornamental value
23 THE CASE FOR KOI Breeding koi for weed control and ornamental value
29 TECHNOLOGY OF THE FUTURE KSU uses drones to study farm and land management activities
38 EXPANDING THE MARKET Research investigates value-added potential for Asian carp