FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky State University recently announced the acquisition of a 100-acre research farm that will be dedicated to the study of sustainable crop development, officials said.

The farm will serve as a hub for interdisciplinary research, bringing together faculty and students from a variety of fields to investigate crops that “require less water and fertilizer, are resistant to pests and diseases, and can be grown using environmentally friendly practices.”

“We are thrilled to expand our initiatives in sustainable agriculture with the acquisition of this new research farm,” said Kirk Pomper, dean of KSU’s College of Agriculture, Community, and the Sciences. “The new farm also has forested land that will support student research in water quality and forest health management, and farmland that will be monitored via agritechnology methods.”

Located just outside of Frankfort, the farm was purchased through USDA research grant funding, and will support research in testing crops that can be grown in an environmentally sustainable manner, officials said.

KSU’s sustainable agriculture program is designed to provide more profitable income opportunities for small family farms, promote environmental stewardship, and enhance the quality of life for farm families and communities, officials said.

“We work mainly with small-scale and minority farmers in Kentucky, and we are developing recommendations for high-value alternative crops for the region,” Pomper said. “We were able to obtain USDA research grant funds to purchase a farm to expand this sustainable agricultural research.

“We were also interested in purchasing a farm that was similar in size and scope to our stakeholders, and have this farm close to campus so that students, faculty, and staff could utilize the farm easily,” he added. “There is about 35 acres of land for crops and animals, two streams, and about 70 acres of woodlands.”

He said, “A local Frankfort, Ky., resident approached us as to whether we were interested in purchasing this farm from him for Kentucky State University research efforts.” Pomper added he wasn’t able to disclose the dollar amount of the purchase at this time.

Ronald A. Johnson, interim president of KSU, said the goal of the research farm is to develop crops that are both sustainable and profitable for farmers, helping to support local food systems, and promote economic development.

“This land will continue to be active agricultural land for years to come, and is just one of many initiatives underway in Kentucky State’s ‘Intended Future Plan’ that focuses on leveraging the ability of small family farms to compete at scale,” he said.

“As the demand for sustainable agriculture continues to grow, Kentucky State will be steadfast in its commitment to advancing research in this critical area of opportunity for small family farms in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.”

In addition, specific research at the farm will focus on row-crop production, horticultural crop production, agroforestry, control of invasive plants, soil health, integrated pest management, and pollinator health.

Pomper said the farm will also serve as a resource for local farmers, providing training and technical assistance for sustainable farming practices.

“Research projects have already begun at the farm,” he said. “We have mapped the farmland using drone technology. We are also starting the process of cataloging plant species that are present in the woodland, and creek areas. Initially, we will be planting a study with elderberry bushes intercropped with various annual crops.”

After preparation this year, he said additional land will be used to conduct vegetable and corn trials.

“Invasive plant research will be conducted in the woodland areas to develop methods of eradication for invasive plants,” he said. “Some meat goat trials will also be conducted on the land. Water quality research will be conducted utilizing the two streams that also run through neighboring farmland and woodlands.”

He added, “We will use grant funding to build a multi-purpose building with a small wet lab, classroom, restrooms, offices and shop. We hope to have this building in place by 2025.”