Approval of Construction - Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm (Office Building).

The Kentucky State University (KSU) Land Grant Program receives annual USDA Facility Grant funding to maintain and enhance buildings dedicated to agricultural research, teaching, and Extension programming supported by the USDA. KSU research, teaching, and Extension need additional Value-added processing and fermentation technology facilities, classrooms, and offices at the KSU Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm. In a 2019 USDA Facility Grant, KSU proposed constructing two small buildings into a new Value-added Product and Office Building to meet these needs. We are now requesting to combine these two plans into one building plan that would be constructed near the current Extension center at the farm. This building will serve as a larger scale processing facility for research and Extension, as a home for the Fermentation and Distillation facilities, and to facilitate the development of new fermented products and distilled spirits. Additionally, the approximately 5,000 square foot building will provide a classroom and office space for employees at the KSU farm.

USDA Research Grant funds in the amount of $1,811,500 would be utilized to construct this Value-added Product and Office Building. USDA approval for the combining of the two building projects will be sought after KSU Board of Regent approval.

Interim President Ronald A. Johnson recommends that the Kentucky State University Board of Regents approve the construction of a Value-Added Product and Office Building at the Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm.

Approve construction of a Value-Added Product and Office Building at the Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm.