Kentucky State University’s farm manager is a product of the Hill
Kentucky State University’s Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm is watched over and managed by one of Kentucky State’s own.
Megan Goins, who holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Kentucky State, is the University’s farm manager. Goins earned a Bachelor of Science in agriculture, food and environment in 2016 and a Master of Science in environmental studies in 2018.
“My day-to-day responsibilities differ depending on the day, which is why I love my job,” Goins said. “The farm staff and I help land-grant faculty and staff implement and maintain their research, demonstration, and extension projects they have at the farm. The day-to-day could consist of mowing, planting, harvesting produce, caring for animals, maintenance, etc.”
Goins said that the farm wouldn’t look or operate the way it does without the wonderful staff working there.
Goins started in 2013 as a student research assistant with aquaculture, then as a student research assistant with the horticulture department, then as greenhouse manager in 2018. In 2019, Goins took up the role as farm manager. She’s worked with the University full time for four years.
As a student, Goins said she was drawn to Kentucky State as an undergraduate because of the small class sizes and the availability of scholarships in the agriculture department.
Goins said as an undergraduate, she thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Kirk Pomper’s classes and considers him one of the main reasons she is where she is in her career. During her graduate studies, Dr. Leigh Whittinghill was her advisor and helped and supported Goins.
“I learned more than I ever could have imagined about urban agriculture, the impact it can have on small minority farmers and the importance of spreading the word and increasing our footprint in the urban agriculture sector,” Goins said.
Goins said her advice to current Thorobreds trying to finish a degree is to keep going.
“There is a light at the end of the tunnel and getting your degree can only help you in your future endeavors,” Goins said.