A group of students, faculty, and staff from Kentucky State University delivered 21 presentations at the Southern Rural Sociological Association’s (SRSA) annual meeting in Louisville. The event, held on February 1-2, 2026, focused on rural issues in the southern United States.
The Kentucky State University delegation gave 13 session and eight poster presentations. Their research topics included regenerative agriculture, crop productivity, dairy production economics for small-scale farmers, capital access, farmers markets, heirs’ property concerns, and skin cancer awareness among rural populations.
Undergraduate student Sienna Stewart presented research on how farming experience influences resilience to weather-related damages in the Caribbean. Graduate student Martha Ibans examined the economic feasibility of dairy production for small farms in Kentucky. Other presenters included Shristi Adhikari, Susan Fakolade, Ebenezer Akinola, Emmanuel Obielodan, Richard Ojo, Maryam Adeniyi, Oluwafunmisho Ibiloro, Ganiyat Shittu, Ashmita Bhandari, Sodiq Oyediran, Ayodola Olatunji, Sophia Njoh as well as staff members Ife Familusi and Alethea Bernard.
The team was led by Dr. Marcus Bernard—dean of the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources—and included several faculty members such as Dr. Buddhi Gyawali (professor of geospatial technology application), Dr. Sait Sarr (senior research scientist), Dr. Manisha Parajuli (assistant professor of forestry), Dr. Frederick Bebe (assistant research professor), and Ms. Alethea Bernard (senior research associate and state specialist for health equity).
Dr. Sarr commented on the university’s performance at the conference: “Kentucky State University had the highest number of student presenters, which was acknowledged at the SRSA General Business Board meeting and at the Presidential Luncheon, among institutions including the University of Kentucky, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Oklahoma State University, and Louisiana State University. This achievement would not have been possible without the full commitment of our students, staff, and faculty, and the dedicated support of Dr. Gyawali through his encouragement and sponsorship with his NextGen project.”
A graduate student noted their excitement about participating: “I was so excited. This meeting not only gave me the opportunity to present my work on the dairy industry in Kentucky but also better prepared me for doctoral study by connecting me with stakeholders in my area of interest who were willing to discuss opportunities after graduation from Kentucky State University’s MEST graduate program.”
Another student described their experience: “Participating in the SRSA conference was both humbling and encouraging. Engaging with scholars from diverse institutions strengthened my confidence that the work I am doing at the master’s level is meaningful and well-aligned. I am sincerely thankful to Kentucky State University for providing networking opportunities to connect, learn, and reflect on my academic path.”
Student participation was partly funded by Dr. Buddhi Gyawali’s USDA NextGen project aimed at developing future professionals in food systems through international learning experiences.