The University of Kentucky Wheat Science Group recently honored Laura Knoth with their Service Award.

The group, comprised of scientists from the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, created the award to recognize individuals for their collaborations and contributions to UK wheat research.

As director of the Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association, Knoth serves as the liaison between Kentucky wheat producers and UK scientists, whose research they help develop, execute and fund.

“This relationship and exchange of ideas between growers and researchers has led to high impact projects that more precisely address growers’ actual needs and concerns for both the present and the future,” said Bill Bruening, UK wheat research specialist. “The effectiveness and success of the UK Wheat Science Group is directly related to Laura's talent and ability to communicate the growers’ thoughts and ideas with wheat science researchers.”

Since the Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association began, its members have donated more than $3.3 million in checkoff dollars to wheat research. More than $1 million of that total has been directed toward UK’s Grain and Forage Center of Excellence. Knoth has strongly pushed for funding for the Wheat Science Group’s research and educational outreach.

“She is a strong supporter of the land-grant system and the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment,” said Lloyd Murdock, UK soils scientist. “Her commitment to the small-grain growers in Kentucky and the land-grant university is closely aligned with that of the late Don Halcomb, who was a tireless advocate for Kentucky producers and the Wheat Science Group.”

She has also challenged researchers to find innovative ways to meet the needs of Kentucky’s producers.

“Over the past 13 years that I have worked with Laura Knoth, I have always appreciated her inspiring attitude and professionalism,” said Ole Wendroth, UK professor of soil physics. “Laura truly has been stimulating researchers to be creative and to come up with innovative research ideas that help our growers but that also provide us scientists the opportunity to show that the work we are doing is relevant and publishable in top journals.”

Kentucky wheat production has increased 87% since the association began. Knoth credits much of this increase to the many research efforts of UK scientists.

“Of course, it’s the fine work of researchers like Dave Van Sanford and his wheat breeding, Lloyd Murdock with his fragipan work, Chad Lee and Carrie Knott with their grain crop production work and the many other specialists that work closely with the grain producers of Kentucky  that has gotten us where we are,” she said.

Knoth is also executive director of the Kentucky Corn Growers Association and farms with her husband Mark Long in Livingston County.