The Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association has established a research endowment fund at the University of Kentucky to ensure the advancement of production research crucial to Kentucky’s grain farmers.

Individual growers and businesses may donate to the fund, and the association will match those donations up to a total of $50,000. In addition to cash, growers and businesses may make a tax deductible donation of grain.

“To date we have directed nearly $2 million toward small grain research, and we expect that sum will continue to grow in the future,” said Don Halcomb, chairman of the Kentucky Small Grain Promotion Council. “Establishment of this research fund, however, will guarantee that small grain research will continue to be a priority at the University of Kentucky.

“Our leadership has been extremely pleased with the quality of research conducted at UK, and growers have benefited greatly from the results,” he said. “The fund will work only to improve our successful partnership.”

“The college is extremely appreciative of this latest in a long history of support and collaboration we have enjoyed from the Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association,” said Scott Smith, dean of the College of Agriculture. “With their support and leadership, we can continue to do innovative research and extension to improve small grain crop production in this state."

Donations should be made directly to the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture for the Kentucky Small Grains Growers Association Research Endowment.  Mail checks to University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Marci Hicks, Director of Development, E. S. Good Barn, 1451 University Drive, Lexington, KY 40546-0097. For more information on how to make a gift of grain, contact Marci Hicks at 859-257-7200.

For more information, about the Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association, contact Executive Director Laura Knoth at 1-800-326-0906 or laura@kysmallgrains.org.