Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Kentucky State University received a $344,560 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the 1890 Institution Capacity Building Grants program (CFDA 10.216), awarded February 15, 2026, with completion scheduled for February 14, 2029. The three-year integrated collaborative project addresses barriers to urban and town agriculture by delivering hands-on training and skill development through a student-run micro farm and KSU's research and demonstration farm in Frankfort, Kentucky. Key products and services include training and certification workshops in innovative urban food systems and sustainable agricultural practices targeting middle and high school youth, urban growers, KSU students, faculty, and extension personnel; expanded extension outreach capacity on topics including sustainable urban agriculture, food security, human nutrition, and health; and increased community access to fresh and locally produced food to advance food security in urban dwelling populations.

This initiative aligns with Executive Order 14283, which promotes excellence and innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). By building upon KSU's established capacity as Kentucky's only public historically Black land-grant institution, the project strengthens the university's teaching, research, and extension programs while addressing critical social, economic, and ecological benefits of urban agriculture in underserved communities.