Kentucky State University celebrates 20 years of its Small Farm Conference
Posted on November 15, 2018
Kentucky State University its 20th annual Small Farm Conference Nov. 13-15. The conference, hosted by Kentucky State’s
Extension program with participation from all members of the College of Agriculture,
Communities and the Environment, was created to reach underserved producers and local
farmers.
Kentucky State University President M. Christopher Brown II served as the keynote
speaker for the Nov. 14 luncheon.
President Brown spoke about the number of small grants received by small and under-resourced
farmers.
“There’s still much more work to do,” President Brown said. “There’s only a limited
amount small grants can do. There are price points that far exceed what we’re able
to do currently.”
President Brown also discussed a critical area of agriculture in Kentucky: the age
of small and under-resourced farmers. He said less than 10 percent of that population
is under 35.
“If we don’t figure out how to continue the tradition, after years of work in this
area they will sell the land and work you put so much effort into,” President Brown
said.
Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan F. Quarles also spoke to the audience comprised
of farmers from over half the counties in Kentucky and 12 states.
Quarles touted the strengths and diversity of Kentucky agriculture and called for
Kentucky to become the natural location for agriculture technology.
“We have the tools we need to let our state be first in something instead of last,”
Quarles said.
Members of the audience heard success stories from small and under-resourced farmers
around the state, including refugee farmer Albert Mbanfu from Warren County. Mbanfu
said a group of refugee farmers has benefited from the technical expertise provided
by employees at Kentucky State University.
The conference was held at Kentucky State’s Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration
Farm and the University’s Cooperative Extension building. Attendees had a chance to
participate in Kentucky State’s national awarding-winning Third Thursday Thing Sustainable
Workshop, tour farms within Franklin, Shelby, and Fayette Counties, attend a health
and safety fair, and various seminars given by Kentucky State research professionals,
as well as speakers from other organizations.
This year, a new component reaching middle school students was added to the program.
Middle school students had the opportunity to explore the world of agriculture in
a fun and experiential-based format. Students visited agricultural stations featuring
interactive booths designed to combine hands-on learning in the areas of plants, animals,
nutrition, STEM, environmental education and aquaculture.