Kentucky State University | Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm

Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm

Kentucky State University purchased 203 acres on Mills Lane in Franklin County, Kentucky, in 1986 under the leadership of then Land Grant Director Harold R. Benson. Later, in 2009, Kentucky State acquired additional acreage, making the total size of the farm nearly 300 acres.

The Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm offers educational and research opportunities to Kentucky State faculty, staff and students, as well as to stakeholders. Faculty, staff, and undergraduate and graduate students conduct research projects at the farm, including in small ruminants, soil management, ornamental horticulture, livestock nutrition, honeybees, conservation biological control, beneficial insects, aquaculture, urban agriculture, organic agriculture, and more. Undergraduate classes often visit the farm for tours and activities, such as to sample soils, catch bugs, and visit the floating raceways. Members of the community, such as elementary, middle and high school students and small farmers, often visit the farm for educational programming and tours. Additionally, the USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository (Gene Bank) for pawpaws has been housed at the farm since 1994; this collection includes more than 2,000 trees from 16 states.

The Center for Sustainability of Farms and Families is also located at the Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm. The 12,000-square-foot center is a multifunctional building with a commercial kitchen that can be used for both processing and food preparation. With a maximum capacity of 699 people, the space can be used for conferences, workshops, and other events.

For more information about the use of the Center for Sustainability of Farms and Families, contact Sierra Barbour at sierra.barbour@kysu.edu. For more information about farm tours and field trips, please contact: Megan Goins at
megan.goins@kysu.edu.