News Features

Kentucky State University Urban Agriculture News Features

 

Enhancing Food Accessibility Through Urban Agriculture: A Student-Led Research Project at Kentucky State University:

https://www.kysu.edu/news/2024/12/urban-ag-project-ksu.php  

 

Kentucky State University Secures $380,000 in USDA Grants for Pioneering Controlled Environment Agriculture Research:

https://www.kysu.edu/news/2024/12/ksu-awarded-grants-for-controlled-environment-agriculture-research.php  

 

KSU and DSU Partner with Nigerian Universities to Advance Food Security and Research Collaboration in West Africa:

https://www.kysu.edu/news/2024/12/ksu-strengthens-relations-in-nigeria.php  

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Illinois State University News Features

Growing hope: Alum cultivates purpose from life marred by tragedy:

https://news.illinoisstate.edu/2024/05/growing-hope-alum-cultivates-purpose-from-life-marred-by-tragedy/

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HBCU-Buzz News Features

KSU Students Cultivate Over 7,000 Pounds of Produce in Urban Agriculture Project to Tackle Food Insecurity:

https://hbcubuzz.com/103521/hbcu-students-harvest-success-through-urban-agriculture-project/  

Kentucky State University Urban Agriculture Team Travels to USDA Vegetable Laboratory in Charleston, South Carolina

Kentucky State University Urban Agriculture Team travels to the United States USDA Vegetable Laboratory in Charleston, South Carolina. Urban Agriculture graduate students and team leaders had the opportunity to engage with USDA research scientists and learn about the controlled environment agriculture initiatives at the U. S. Vegetable Laboratory. Dr. Theoneste Nzaramyima has established a collaborative grant with the USDA to provide research opportunities for Kentucky State University Graduate students where they will have the opportunity to participate in internships with USDA researchers. The lab solves national problems in the production and protection of vegetable crops. The mission of the laboratory is: a) to improve genetic populations of vegetable crops by combining resistance to diseases and pests with favored quality characters and improved yield potentials; and b) to develop knowledge on disease and pest biology, ecology, and epidemiology that can be used as a basis for the development and implementation of new, reliable, environmentally sound integrated management systems that rely on host resistance, biocontrol, and natural compounds rather than conventional pesticides. This collaboration will allow for more funding and research possibilities in the future. The Urban agriculture team is excited about working on future research publications and projects over the next growing season.

https://www.ars.usda.gov/southeast-area/charleston-sc/vegetable-research/ Urban Agriculture Team Tours Amplified Ag facility in Charleston, SC The urban agriculture team also had the opportunity to tour the Amplified Ag facility in Charleston, SC on their trip. AmplifiedAg engineers hydroponic container farms to grow fresh, safe produce year round for those that need it most. It was an inspiring and motivating trip for our students. The team also got to experience history as South Carolina had their first snow and ice storm of the century. Snowy beaches and icy coastal shores were quite a sight to see! https://amplifiedaginc.com/         Urban Agriculture Graduate Student Featured in North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture News & Press Article Urban Agriculture Graduate Student. Adeyeye Adekunle, Featured in North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture News & Press Article.  "Our first winter experience in the United States was truly magical. My wife, our little daughter, and I embraced the snow joyfully, making snowballs, building a snowman, and creating memories that fulfilled a long-awaited bucket list dream. This moment reflects our love for new adventures and family togetherness." "If someone asked about NACTA, what 5 words would you use to describe it?" "Collaborative, innovative, supportive, educational, transformative." "Describe your most memorable mentorship/teaching moment with (a) student(s)." "One of my most memorable moments was guiding undergraduates at the Kentucky State University student-run farm project at West Farm. Watching them transform from curious learners into confident, skilled contributors, and seeing their pride in harvesting their first crops, was incredibly rewarding." "What is your most unique hobby and why do you enjoy it?" "Teaching is my most unique hobby. I find joy in sharing knowledge, sparking curiosity, and witnessing students' growth. It allows me to connect deeply, inspire passions, and continuously learn alongside them. The fulfillment of guiding others toward their potential is what makes teaching so rewarding." "What icebreaker have you used in the classroom that you really enjoyed (or have you participated in that made an impact and resonated with you)?" "One icebreaker I enjoyed was asking students to share a fun fact about themselves related to agriculture or the environment. It sparked interesting discussions, helped students find common interests, and set a collaborative tone for the course. It also allowed everyone to learn something new about their peers." https://nactateachers.org/news/692742/ Urban Agriculture Research Assistant Selected to Participate in the 1890 Distributed Research and Extension Experience

An Urban Agriculture/ Controlled Environment Agriculture Undergrad Research Assistant, Megrael Ngudia, has been selected to participate in the 1890 Distributed Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduates (D-REEU) summer internship. This internship will take place at Tuskegee University College of Agriculture, Environment, and Nutrition Sciences. This will provide him with hands-on research experience at Tuskegee University's Organic Farm under the advisory of Dr. Kpomblekou. 

https://www.tuskegee.edu/programs-courses/colleges-schools/caens/daes/undergraduate-research-and-mentoring/1890-dreu  

Megrael has been an outstanding student and research assistant in the Urban Ag lab and has gained relevant experience and skills by working as a lab and farm assistant for the past year under the direction of Dr. Nzaramyimana and Cora Teets. As a freshman undergraduate student, he has gone above and beyond to help the team excel and accomplish missions. 

Megrael also showcased his research on Hungarian yellow wax sweet pepper's response to different production systems at the Posters at the Capital event in Frankfort, Kentucky this March. He was selected as the only Kentucky State University student to compete in the oral presentation in front of Kentucky legislators. These combined experiences inspired him to apply to the Tuskegee University summer internship and helped him demonstrate compatible alignment with the program’s goals and objectives.

https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/postersatthecapitol/2025/KSU/7/ 

 

What’s been happening in our Urban Ag world…
Spring into Success! | Department Milestones Update

This Spring has been an exciting and productive season for our department!
Our Master's students have successfully completed their proposal defenses — a major academic milestone, and we couldn’t be prouder of their dedication and perseverance. A special congratulations to Dr. Adeyeye Adekunle, who not only completed his proposal defense but also passed his final exam defense with flying colors!

Meanwhile, our research continues to grow—literally! Dr. Hattie Hope Makumbe, is our newly appointed Post Doctoral Researcher in our department. By integrating biochemistry techniques with urban farming systems, she is uniquely positioned to add value to the urban agricultural space.

Richard Kabanda’s succcessfully defends his thesis project on watercress cultivation and nutrient analysis has reached a key milestone: successful plant growth and now entering the nutrient analysis phase. 
This cross-institutional research is pushing boundaries in sustainable agriculture and plant science. We are proud of the impact our students and researchers are making—regionally and globally.

Eric Murwanashyaka sucessfully defends his thesis on Evaluating the Effects of Blue Light Intensities on Beta-carotene Accumulation in Two Baby Cress Varieties. 

MarieMerci Uwimbabazi sucessfully defends her thesis on the Impact of Artificial LED Lights Spectra on Swiss Chard Growth, Yield, and Quality under Controlled Environment Agriculture

Germaine Akeza sucessfully defends her thesis on Optimizing Red-Light Intensity to Maximize Lycopene and Other Carotenoids Accumulation in Tomato. 

Onward Upward…
#ResearchInAction #GraduateSuccess #WatercressResearch #USDA #PlantScience 
#SustainableAgriculture #AcademicExcellence #DepartmentHighlights