Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm

FRANKFORT, Ky., -- Kentucky State University Benson Farm , Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019 at the Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm in FRANKFORT.


Facilities

Picture of Benson Farm rotational grazing herdKentucky State University purchased the 203 acres on Mills Lane in Franklin County, Kentucky in 1986 under the leadership of Land Grant Director, Harold R. Benson. Later, in 2009 Kentucky State University acquired additional acreage making the total acreage of the farm nearly 300 acres. The farm hosts a variety of research projects including small ruminant research, soil management research, organic agriculture research, ornamental horticulture research, livestock nutrition research, honeybee research, conservation biological control and beneficial insect research, and urban agriculture research. Additionally, the USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository (Gene Bank) for pawpaws has been housed here since 1994 this collection includes over 2,000 trees from 16 different states.

Picture of Kentucky State University hosting its annual Small-scale, limited resource, minority farmer conference at the Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration FarmThe Center for Sustainability of Farms and Families is also located at the Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm. The center is a multifunctional building with a commercial kitchen that can be used for both processing and food preparation. The conference is multifunctional and can be used for conferences, workshops, and other events.

For more information about use of the Center for Sustainability of Farms and Families, and farm tours please contact:

Megan Goins

megan.goins@kysu.edu