FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky State University (KSU)’s Cooperative Extension Program recently opened the Urban Ag Discovery Center (UADC) at Sam Swope JA BizTown in Louisville, creating a hands-on experience that will allow thousands of students each year to explore the many careers connected to agriculture, officials said.

Officials added all fifth-grade students from Luhr Elementary School in Louisville took part in the kickoff: “As Kentucky’s only public HBCU (Historically Black College or University) and the Commonwealth’s 1890 land-grant university, Kentucky State has a special responsibility to take knowledge beyond our campus, and put it to work in communities across Kentucky,” said Koffi C. Akakpo, KSU president, during the Sept. 18 ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“That is what Cooperative Extension does every day, and this center offers an exciting new expression of that mission,” he added. “Through these experiences, students will discover that agriculture reaches into nearly every part of our lives. We hope each student discovers something here that captures their interest – and perhaps begins to imagine a future in agriculture.”

According to officials, Sam Swope JA BizTown functions as a simulated community where elementary students manage businesses and help run a city. The program combines 12 teacher-led classroom sessions with a four-hour visit to JA BizTown.

Available to students in the fifth grade, the experience allows participants to operate businesses, write checks, manage money, and vote for mayor as they learn how citizens, workers and consumers contribute to a community, officials added.

Developed under the leadership of Lynsey Crumbie, Kentucky’s state specialist in agricultural entrepreneurship, the UADC gives agriculture a dedicated place within JA BizTown’s simulated local economy.

Crumbie told Farm World her hope is for each student to see that success in agriculture shouldn’t be defined by where they grew up, what they studied or whether they’ve ever set foot on a farm: “It’s a field that benefits from diverse talents and perspectives, and the future of our food system depends on bringing those voices to the table.”

As a student, she said she was fascinated by the relationship between food access, community health and economic development, and intentionally sought ways to integrate agriculture into nearly every project, research opportunity, volunteer role and internship experience she pursued.

“That journey showed me that a successful career in agriculture won’t be defined by where I started,” she said. “It will be defined by the impact I’m able to make in my community. I want students to see those possibilities much earlier than I did.”

Michael Strysick, KSU interim chief strategic communications officer, told Farm World the idea for the UADC began taking shape in December 2024 when Crumbie participated in Focus Louisville, a leadership development program that connects local professionals with organizations addressing important community needs and opportunities.

“During the program, one of the featured partners was Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana,” he said. “As the cohort (a group of people who share a common characteristic, experience or status) learned more about JA BizTown’s immersive approach to career exploration and entrepreneurship education, Lynsey immediately recognized an opportunity to introduce agriculture into that experience in a meaningful way.”

In partnership with Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana and Farm Credit Mid-America, the UADC gives agriculture and food systems a dedicated place within JA BizTown’s simulated local economy, he said, adding that the curriculum centers on four professional roles that challenge students to solve problems, make decisions and explore agricultural career pathways.

For example, as CEO and in local food systems coordinator roles, students will examine how food moves through a community by studying crop seasonality, gathering market data, and exploring how farmers, businesses and consumers are connected through the food supply chain.

In addition, students serving as certified public accountant or an agricultural lender will process payroll, track business performance, review farm financial records, evaluate a farm loan request and learn how access to capital supports agricultural businesses.

In the farmer role, students will compare hydroponic and traditional growing systems, survey community food preferences, and identify crop pests and beneficial insects. Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using a water-based mineral nutrient solution instead of soil.

Moreover, students serving as veterinary medical officers will investigate livestock breeds, diseases and nutrition, and learn how animal health supports the food supply and products used in everyday life.

“The goal is to help students understand that agriculture extends far beyond the field,” Strysick said. “It is an industry powered by entrepreneurs, scientists, engineers, health professionals, educators, skilled trades, business leaders and technology innovators. Crumbie’s educational background in public health heavily influenced the curriculum’s design by emphasizing the industry’s interconnectivity.”

He added that the UADC will help students discover those connections and imagine how their own talents can contribute to the future of the food system, whether they come from a traditional agricultural background or not.

Crumbie said KSU’s Cooperative Extension Program puts the land-grant mission into action by creating educational opportunities that develop future leaders, and build awareness of agricultural innovation, entrepreneurship and workforce development.

“Today, many young people are disconnected from agriculture and food systems, despite agriculture touching nearly every aspect of daily life,” she said. “As a result, there is often little understanding of how those systems operate, or the diverse careers that sustain them.

“As communities become increasingly urbanized, direct exposure to farming, food production and agricultural businesses continues to decline, making it more difficult for young people to see themselves pursuing careers in agriculture,” she added.

She said while the UADC may not directly impact today’s farmers, it is helping change that narrative for the next generation: “Every farmer depends on a community that understands and values agriculture, just as the agricultural industry depends on a pipeline of future talent.”

By sparking curiosity at an early age, she said, the UADC is cultivating interest in agricultural careers, empowering students to become more informed consumers, and building a stronger network of advocates for local food systems. 

“In that sense, the center represents an investment in the long-term sustainability, economic vitality and resilience of the agriculture industry,” she said. “The seeds planted today will benefit farmers, communities, and the broader food system for generations to come.”