A national conference gave Kentucky State University students experience developing business proposals, presenting research, and building professional connections

A good harvest can still leave a farmer with little profit if producing and delivering it costs too much. Kentucky State University students took on that challenge by developing business proposals aimed at helping producers control expenses and keep more of what they earn.

Their assignment in the Global Agribusiness Case Study Competition was “Keeping Agriculture Profitable: Strategic Solutions to Rising Input Costs.” Two Kentucky State teams examined how farmers could share resources, change production practices, and take greater ownership of the businesses that serve their operations.

The competition brought students’ learning before an audience beyond the classroom. They applied agricultural and business knowledge to decisions producers face, then presented their recommendations at the 84th Professional Agricultural Workers Conference, held Oct. 25–27 in Montgomery, Alabama.

Fifteen Kentucky State undergraduate and graduate students attended the conference, which brought together researchers, agricultural professionals, and representatives of land-grant universities under the theme “Deep Roots, Rich Yields: Leadership, Legacy, and the Land-Grant Mission.” Alongside the case study competition, students shared research and made professional connections that could help shape their careers.

Undergraduates Aiden Burrows, Zora Cheatham, and Tadan Ferguson developed the “RoundTrip Agri-Logistics Model,” a proposed farmer-owned transportation business. Their presentation outlined a starting operation of 30 Kentucky farms sharing one truck.

Under the proposal, the truck would carry food to buyers and use its return trip to bring materials that supply nutrients for crop production back to participating farms. Coordinating outgoing products and incoming supplies could give farmers a way to share transportation expenses, with participating producers holding an ownership stake in the business.

Graduate student Akanksha Gautam and undergraduate Anthony Ng’andwe approached the cost challenge through “FarmLoop: Cutting Grain Farmers’ Input Costs through Shared Resources and Gradual Regenerative Farming.” Their proposal combined resource sharing with a gradual shift toward regenerative farming practices, aiming to lower expenses and reduce the financial risk of adopting new approaches.

Beyond the competition, Kentucky State faculty and students contributed six sessions and nine poster presentations. Topics included animal nutrition and health, entomology, controlled-environment agriculture, regenerative agriculture, crop productivity, sustainability, local food supply chains, and skin cancer awareness among farmers.

For graduate student Christian Shema Bagiruwigize, presenting animal science research meant becoming part of a larger professional conversation.

“I was able to engage with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and build meaningful professional connections that will open doors to opportunities and guide my career moving forward,” Bagiruwigize said.

Faculty and staff helped make those experiences possible. Dr. Marcus Bernard, dean of the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources and director of Land Grant Programs, led the delegation. Dr. Siddhartha Dasgupta, associate research director for the Land Grant Program and professor of aquaculture, helped initiate and plan the University’s participation.

Faculty and staff participants also included Dr. Frederick Bebe, assistant research professor; Dr. Gladys Besona, senior research and Extension associate; Dr. Sait Sarr, senior research scientist and adjunct professor; and Kristel Smith of Career Services and Professional Development. Dr. Sarr served as a judge for student presentations, and Kentucky State students and staff supported the conference through volunteer roles.

The student delegation also included undergraduates Elijah Love and Kayla Tingle, along with graduate students Ebenezer Akinola, Maame Appiahene, Saiful Islam, Esther Oduntan, and Owolabi Oyebode.

With roots in Tuskegee University’s work with farmers, the conference connects current agricultural research with the history of farming and the land-grant mission. Undergraduate Zora Nooks valued the opportunity to meet agricultural professionals and learn about the contributions of Black farmers. She said those experiences reinforced “how important it is to honor those who came before us and to take care of each other.”

For undergraduate Jade McCargo, the experience connected professional relationships with a deeper understanding of agriculture’s place in daily life.

“I learned the importance of networking and building meaningful relationships while also gaining a deeper knowledge of how deeply rooted farming is in our community, economy, and everyday lives,” McCargo said.

Members of the Kentucky State delegation also explored Montgomery’s history through a visit to the Legacy Museum.

Participation in regional and national conferences has become a regular part of a Kentucky State education, giving students opportunities to connect classroom learning with the practical demands of their fields. These experiences reflect the University’s emphasis on hands-on learning, applied research, and career preparation — helping graduates use their knowledge to solve problems and contribute to an innovation-driven economy.

Photo Captions:

• Lead Image: Kentucky State University researchers and conference attendees gather for a group photo during a research poster session at the 84th Annual Professional Agricultural Workers Conference (PAWC)

• Photo 1: Christian Shema Bagiruwigize discusses research findings with a conference attendee

• Photo 2: Ebenezer Akinola presents on farmers in Eastern Kentucky

• Photo 3: Aiden Burrows (left), Tadan Ferguson (middle), and Zora Cheatham (right) present at PAWC

• Photo 4: Anthony Ng’andwe (left) and Akanksha Gautam (right) present at PAWC

• Photo 5: Dr. Frederick Bebe presents research on skin cancer risks among Kentucky farmers

• Photo 6: Dr. Siddhartha Dasgupta discusses Kentucky’s local food landscape

• Photo 7: The official program cover for the 84th Annual PAWC

• Photo 8: Kentucky State University representatives and fellow attendees gather for a group image

• Photo 9: Conference participants gather for a group photo outside the Legacy Museum