Frankfort, Ky – U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony today for the Atwood Research Facility at Kentucky State University (KSU). Established in 1986 and closed in 2012 because of severe water damage, the Atwood Research Facility officially reopened after an extensive two-year renovation. This project, valued at $7.4 million, was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture which Congressman Barr supports each year through Congressional appropriations. The state-of-the-art facility will be home to agricultural and environmental education at KSU consisting of 14 research laboratories, classrooms, a teaching laboratory, and offices for 30 faculty and staff and approximately 100 students.
“Today is a great day for the KSU student body, faculty and the future of agriculture in the Commonwealth,” said Congressman Barr. “The Atwood Research Facility will equip students with the skills and education to flourish in the local, national, and global agricultural economy. I proudly supported USDA programs that helped fund this renovation project, and I look forward to seeing the great impact this facility will have on KSU students for generations to come.”
“It was an honor to cut the ribbon for a cutting-edge agricultural research center at Kentucky State University earlier today,” said Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles. “I have no doubt the Atwood Research Facility will play a key role in further solidifying Kentucky’s reputation as a center of agricultural innovation. I wish to express my gratitude to USDA for these funds and to Congressman Barr for always looking for ways to put Kentucky students and farmers first.”
Congressman Barr voted for the 2018 Farm Bill as well as the Consolidated Appropriations Act in 2019 and 2020, which authorized and provided funding for USDA grant programs that KSU utilized to fund the Atwood Research Facility renovation project. Additionally, Congressman Barr supported the bipartisan FUTURE Act to provide permanent annual funding to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HCBU’s).