The focus of the 2026 mcintire stennis project for kentucky state university is the management of kentucky S forested lands, particularly in the eastern appalachian counties

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Kentucky State University $234,296 under the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research program (CFDA 10.202) on October 1, 2025.

The award funds forest management research in eastern Appalachian counties of Kentucky, with two primary research objectives. The first, led by Dr. Francis Onduso, examines how ectomycorrhizal fungi respond to prescribed fire and determines optimal fire rotation periods to support both forest crop production and fungal symbiosis with oak roots. The second, led by Dr. Manisha Parajuli, evaluates timber harvesting system productivity and operational efficiency to support informed decision-making in Kentucky's timber sector.

Kentucky State University, the only public historically Black 1890 land-grant institution in the state, receives the award through its Sponsored Programs Division. Work is performed in Kentucky with a performance period extending through September 30, 2027. The McIntire-Stennis program supports forestry research in production, utilization, and protection of forestland and trains future forestry scientists by distributing funds to eligible state-certified institutions as designated by state governors.

This project aims to have a deeper understanding of forests from the perspective of prescribed fires and timber production. The OAK dominated forests of kentucky are an important natural resource, and a vital component of the state S world renowned bourbon industry. Managing these forests is a crucial effort of the state S foresters and private landowners, particularly in the scenario where prescribed fires are used. Understanding how ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECMF), the beneficial fungi that forms symbiotic relationships with OAK roots, respond to prescribed fire is crucial for managing these forests. This is one of the objectives for this mcintire stennis project, and DR. Francis onduso, who has experience researching prescribed burns, will be the principal investigator for this ecology objective. Fire rotation period to produce best forest crops and ectomycorrhizal fungi in the forests of eastern kentucky will be determined. DR. Manisha parajuli will be the principal investigator for the objective of evaluating the productivity of timber harvesting operations in kentucky. Timber harvesting is a critical component of forest management, supporting a wide range of objectives including timber production, wildlife habitat enhancement, recreation, and wildfi RE risk reduction. Kentucky ranks among the top three states nationally in hardwood production and is the leading state in the south for sawlog and veneer output. Given the high capital and operational costs associated with mechanized harvesting equipment, determining the harvesting system productivity will support informed decision making and promote economic sustainability in the state S FO restry sector. The current kentucky state university S forest and natural resources research and extension staff stand at seventeen (17) and DRS. Onduso and parajuli will work with individuals from the program to fulfill these objectives. The implementation of TH ESE projects will also involve collaborating with our statewide partners in eastern kentucky. The dissemination of results will be through peer reviewed journal publications, media, meetings, and workshops with stakeholders, among others