Kentucky State University is one of eighteen 1890 Land Grant institutions that were mandated by the Morrill Act of 1890 to conduct research, extension, and teaching in the food and agricultural sciences. This fact enables Kentucky State University to offer many opportunities for students interested in learning more about the food and agricultural sciences.
Research responsibilities are assumed at the University by the Community Research Service. Research programs are administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service.
The mission of Kentucky State's Community Research Service is to help resolve agricultural, economic, and social problems of the people of Kentucky, especially those people with limited resources living in rural and urban communities. Currently, research is being conducted in four broad areas: aquaculture and natural resources; human nutrition, health, and home economics; plant and soil science; and rural development. Scientists with diversified educational backgrounds as well as domestic and international experiences are involved in outstanding research, including projects in warm- and cold-water fish production, water quality, environmental toxicology, plant tissue culture, integrated pest management, horticulture, apiculture, and nutritional problems of the elderly.
The Atwood Agricultural Research Facility houses the principal laboratories and serves as the hub for program activities. Augmenting this facility are a research farm, greenhouses, and a fish hatchery/pond complex---all designed to test theoretical laboratory work under practical field conditions.
Students can participate in research projects as laboratory assistants, and may earn academic credit through cooperative education. Research partnerships with several state/federal agencies and private industries have enhanced agency-sponsored internship opportunities for students. KSU encourages the participation of minorities and international students.
High school juniors and seniors participate in the research program through the Research Extension Apprenticeship Program, which provides exposure to research and related career opportunities. An on-campus U.S. Department of Agriculture liaison is available to counsel students on national initiatives and career opportunities in the food and agricultural sciences. A scholarship is available to students interested in Agricultural Science. An aquaculture curriculum has been developed to provide students classroom as well as experiential learning about fish farming (fish nutrition, water quality, and environmental management) and its potential for economic development in Kentucky. Details regarding the minor or master's degree in Aquaculture are available in the Graduate Programs section of this Catalogue.
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An aquaculture curriculum has been developed to provide students classroom as well as experiential learning about fish farming (fish nutrition, water quality, and environmental management) and its potential for economic development in Kentucky. Details regarding the minor or master's degree in Aquaculture are available in the Graduate Programs section of this Catalogue.
The Cooperative Extension System is a nation-wide network established by Congress to extend research-based knowledge and technology from the laboratory to the community. A joint effort between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the land grant University system, and the counties in each state, Cooperative Extension is designed to provide grassroots, not-for-credit educational programs in agriculture and natural resources, home economics, community resource development, consumer sciences, and family and youth development.
Kentucky officially joined the partnership in 1916 and today has two land grant universities: Kentucky State University and the University of Kentucky. All land grant universities serve three primary functions: resident instruction, research, and public service.
Since 1972, Kentucky State University's Cooperative Extension Program has fulfilled the public service role by providing educational and technical assistance to limited-resource families and by meeting the needs of homemakers, farmers, youth, the elderly, and many others.
Some Extension programs provide one-on-one opportunities where paraprofessionals work directly with family members. One such program, the Family Development and Management Program, assisted limited-resource families in Kentucky in saving more than $170,000 in household operations in a one-year period. Through another program, the Small and Part-time Farmer Program, farmers increased their income by an average of $10,000 and improved their use of farm inputs. Nearly 500 farm families increased their knowledge of sustainable agriculture.
Other program initiatives (Family Financial Education, Child and Youth Development, Aquaculture, and Community Resource Development) help families make better use of community resources to lead healthier, happier lives.