New crop, healthier soils

Article: https://news.ca.uky.edu/article/new-crop-healthier-soils

An idea that started with the curiosity of an enterprising south-central Kentucky farmer is showing promise as another crop for Kentucky small grain producers, as well as a reliable source of Kentucky-grown cereal rye for bourbon distillers, bakers and millers.

Cereal rye growing on Walnut Grove Farms in Logan County. Photo by Szymon Szprejda (l-r) Julia Santoro, agriculture research specialist; Ella Szuleta, graduate student in rye genetics; and Dan Quinn, graduate student working on rye as a cover cover, examine rye heads. Dave Van Sanford converses with Elizabeth McCall, asst. master distiller at Woodford Reserve, during the American Farmland Trust Rye Lunch. Photo provided by Dendrifund Dave Van Sanford addresses the guests during the American Farmland Trust Rye Lunch in Jan. 2020. Photo provided by Dendrifund Billy Van Pelt, senior director of external relations for American Farmland Trust, at the trust's rye lunch, Jan. 2020. Photo provided by Dendrifund. Chad Lee, director of UK Grain and Forage Center of Excellence, examines rye in the field. Photo by Stephen Patton Rye growing at Walnut Grove Farms in Logan County. Photo by Szymon Szprejda Billy Van Pelt (center) speaks with Stephanie and Sam Halcomb at the American Farmland Trust Rye Lunch in Jan. 2020. Photo provided by Dendrifund Planting rye at Walnut Grove Farms in Logan County, Kentucky. Photo by Szymon Szprejda Harvesting rye at Walnut Grove Farms in Logan County, Kentucky. Photo by Szymon Szprejda Chad Lee addresses guests at the American Farmland Trust Rye Lunch in Jan. 2020. Photo provided by Dendrifund Sam Halcomb displays rye's extensive root system. Photo by Szymon Szprejda