Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the Forage-Animal Production Research Unit at the University of Kentucky.
The new facility, expected to be completed in 2026, will consist of office space, research laboratories, collaborative areas, greenhouses and more, according to a May 23 U.S. Department of Agriculture news release. The building will be staffed by Agricultural Research Service scientists, university researchers and support personnel.
“Agricultural research bolsters economic growth and enhances food quality and safety all while combating the climate crisis,” Vilsack said in the release. “Today’s groundbreaking builds on more than two decades of partnership with the University of Kentucky, while demonstrating USDA’s latest commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible for agriculture, and to creating profitable and sustainable systems, rooted in science, that will advance farmers’ production for years to come.”
The groundbreaking ceremony highlighted the strong support from the community, state and legislature for the collaboration between ARS and the University of Kentucky in advancing forage research, the release reported. U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, UK President Eli Capilouto and Dean of UK-CAFE Dr. Nancy Cox also spoke at the event. ARS Administrator Simon Liu was also involved in the program.
The establishment of facilities like this aligns with the USDA’s recently released three-year science and research strategy, according to the release. This strategy aims to transform the U.S. food system and provide support to farmers, ranchers, producers and foresters. This Forage-Animal Production Research Unit and similar research facilities will enable the USDA to address the needs of diverse communities across the nation, as outlined in the strategy's five priorities.
The USDA is transforming the nation’s food system in the Biden-Harris administration, focusing more on resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food, making historic infrastructure and clean-energy investments in rural America and building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using smart forestry and food practices, the release reported.
