The University of Kentucky Grain Crops Science Group is pleased to announce Hardin County farmer Richard Preston as the 2025 UK Grain Crops Science Service Award recipient. Previously known as the UK Wheat Science Service Award, the award recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to the success and effectiveness of UK Grain Crops research and was presented to Preston at the recent UK Winter Wheat Meeting at the Bruce Convention Center in Hopkinsville.  

Significant contributions to the field 

Preston’s long-standing collaboration, from hosting cover crop trials to supporting advanced agronomic studies, has spurred breakthroughs in crop management that benefit producers statewide. Preston, who has partnered with UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment researchers for nearly five decades, said he is both humbled and honored by the recognition.  

“It’s funny to receive a service award when I’ve benefited so much from UK,” Preston said. “I’ve been working with them for a long time, and every year presents new challenges—new diseases, new regulations—and I look forward to collaborating with the university’s researchers to find answers.” 

Preston, a trained physicist who originally aspired to farm, has channeled his scientific curiosity into agricultural innovations on his own land. Over the years, Preston worked with numerous UK Martin-Gatton CAFE specialists, including precision agriculture pioneers, soil scientists, entomologists and agronomists, to advance practical on-farm research.  

“I’ve always been fascinated by how things work,” Preston added. “Farming allows me to explore scientific questions in a hands-on setting.” 

Preston’s peers say his dedication to research and conservation has left a lasting impact on UK Martin-Gatton CAFE programs and Kentucky’s farming community.  

“Richard has led the research committee in Kentucky corn for six years, and he’s been a valued co-author on ag economics papers focusing on crop insurance,” said Chad Lee, extension professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences (PSS) and director of the Grain and Forage Center of Excellence. “He’s a leader in implementing and testing precision agriculture, cover crops and other practices, which have immediate benefits for Kentucky’s grain growers.” 

Hanna Poffenbarger, an associate professor in the PSS department also praised Preston’s experience, knowledge and eagerness to help his fellow farmers. 

“Richard’s curiosity, practicality, commitment to conservation, and expert knowledge of the research process drive grain crops research that is both highly innovative and applicable for Kentucky farmers,” Poffenbarger said. “Working on research with him is a lot of fun because he’s so passionate about learning and willing to find ways to make projects work. He has graciously shared ‘pearls of wisdom’ from his years of thoughtful farming to a young soil scientist like me.” 

Established in 2017 to highlight key partnerships that bolster the university’s research endeavors, the annual UK Grain Crops Science Service Award honors those who invest time, land and expertise to help develop best practices in Kentucky agriculture.  

Learn more about the award and previous winners at https://wheatscience.ca.uky.edu/content/uk-wheat-science-service-award. 

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Writer: Jordan Strickler, jstrickler@uky.edu            

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