A western Kentucky research facility has been awarded a $15 million dollar matching grant by the Kentucky Agriculture Development Board.
The Princeton-based University of Kentucky Research and Education Facility will use the funds to develop a Grains Center for Excellence.
The facility will have 5 years to source the remaining funds for the $30 million dollar renovation and expansion project.
UK Grain Crops Specialist Chad Lee will officially become the center's new director August 1. He says besides renovations the grant allows for land acquisition, new employee opportunities and research.
"Our primary focus on the grain side will still be mostly corn, soybean and small grain," said Lee. "Right now we predominantly grow wheat in Kentucky, there is a growing interest in both barley and rye in part because of our bourbon industry in the state and in part because of all the micro-breweries and things like that."
The center will be bringing in a new extension forage specialist as well.
Lee says the idea to expand the operation was largely promoted by local farmers and the research conducted in Princeton is something producers will be able to utilize in their own operations.