VERSAILLES, Ky. — A new multimillion dollar initiative, the Kentucky Livestock Innovation Center, is set to bolster the livestock industry in Kentucky. This center aims to provide essential resources and education for livestock producers, food partners, and retail businesses.
The Kentucky General Assembly has allocated $22 million to this project, which will be executed in collaboration with the University of Kentucky. The center will be established at the C. Oran Little Research Center in Woodford County, thereby positioning Kentucky as a leader in agricultural innovation.
Nikki Whitaker, the Director of Operations for the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, emphasizes the need for farmers to adapt to the changing landscape of the industry. “The farming industry is changing. We see a decrease in animals and an increase in the age of our farmers,” Whitaker stated. She highlights that the center will offer crucial learning opportunities designed to help producers implement new practices.
In Kentucky, the agriculture industry generates approximately $8 billion in cash receipts, with the livestock sector contributing more than half of this revenue. Whitaker explains, “The Livestock Innovation Center will synergize all of the research being done for our livestock industry and be that conduit out to our producers.” The center will welcome all types of livestock, including cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, and horses.
The center aims to include workshops, training sessions, and even a culinary center, providing a hands-on educational experience that fosters appreciation for food origins. Stephanie Tewes of Tewes Poultry Farm in Erlanger notes the hard work involved in farming, stressing the importance of farmers in the food supply chain. “If we don’t have farmers, we don’t have food,” Tewes remarked.
Through this initiative, Whitaker hopes to inspire the next generation of farmers, asserting that retaining students within agricultural programs is a significant victory. “If we can retain that student in the ag industry, or just going through our colleges here in Kentucky, then that’s a win for us,” she added.
With over 74,000 farms in Kentucky, the Livestock Innovation Center is expected to benefit the entire agricultural community. Currently, the center is in the process of hiring a construction manager and architect, with plans to begin development soon.
For further information about the offerings and opportunities at the center, interested parties are encouraged to visit the project’s official website.
