A student, faculty, and staff delegation delivered 21 presentations highlighting work
in agriculture, rural health, community well-being, and local economies
FRANKFORT, Ky. — At a conference framed by the theme “Distilling Change: Rural Roots & River Currents
in the New South,” Kentucky State University researchers and students earned broad
recognition for a strong showing in Louisville.
The Kentucky State contingent delivered 13 session and eight poster presentations,
featuring student- and faculty-led research on regenerative agriculture, crop productivity,
dairy production, capital access, farmers markets, heirs’ property, and skin cancer
awareness among rural farmers.
The 57th Annual Meeting of the Southern Rural Sociological Association (SRSA), held
Feb. 1-2, 2026, brought together scholars and practitioners to examine rural social
issues, Extension, and outreach. The Association advances the field through its annual
meeting and its refereed journal, The Journal of Rural Social Sciences.
Kentucky State students, faculty, and staff presented across a broad range of topics
that reflect the University’s growing strength in agricultural research, education,
and social policy. Undergraduate student Sienna Stewart presented “Assessing the Influence
of Farming Experience on Farmers’ Resilience to Weather-Induced Damages in the Caribbean,”
and graduate student Martha Ibans presented “The Economic Feasibility of Dairy Production
for Small-Scale Farmers in Kentucky.”
Additional presenters included Shristi Adhikari, Susan Fakolade, Ebenezer Akinola,
Emmanuel Obielodan, Richard Ojo, Maryam Adeniyi, Oluwafunmisho Ibiloro, Ganiyat Shittu,
Ashmita Bhandari, Sodiq Oyediran, Ayodola Olatunji, Sophia Njoh, and Kentucky State
staff members Ife Familusi and Alethea Bernard.
The delegation was led by Dr. Marcus Bernard, dean of the College of Agriculture,
Health, and Natural Resources and director of Land Grant Programs, and included Dr.
Buddhi Gyawali, professor of geospatial technology application; Dr. Sait Sarr, senior
research scientist; Dr. Manisha Parajuli, assistant professor of forestry; Dr. Frederick
Bebe, assistant research professor; and Ms. Alethea Bernard, senior research associate
and state specialist for health equity.
Reflecting on the meeting, Dr. Sarr said, “Kentucky State University had the highest
number of student presenters, which was acknowledged at the SRSA General Business
Board meeting and at the Presidential Luncheon, among institutions including the University
of Kentucky, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Oklahoma
State University, and Louisiana State University. This achievement would not have
been possible without the full commitment of our students, staff, and faculty, and
the dedicated support of Dr. Gyawali through his encouragement and sponsorship with
his NextGen project.”
One graduate student shared, “I was so excited. This meeting not only gave me the
opportunity to present my work on the dairy industry in Kentucky, but also better
prepared me for doctoral study by connecting me with stakeholders in my area of interest
who were willing to discuss opportunities after graduation from Kentucky State University’s
MEST graduate program.”
Another student added, “Participating in the SRSA conference was both humbling and
encouraging. Engaging with scholars from diverse institutions strengthened my confidence
that the work I am doing at the master’s level is meaningful and well-aligned. I am
sincerely thankful to Kentucky State University for providing networking opportunities
to connect, learn, and reflect on my academic path.”
Student participation support was provided in part through Dr. Buddhi Gyawali’s USDA
NextGen project "Generating and Sustaining the Next Generation of the Food, Agriculture,
Natural Resources, and Human Sciences Workforce through International Experiential
Learning, Outreach and Engagement" (KSU award # UMES/NEXTGEN/Kentucky-01-5208630)
(USDA Award No. 2023-70440-40145).