More than 150 people attended Kentucky State University’s 22nd Annual Legislative Fish Fry on March 4, an event designed to highlight the university’s land-grant mission and its impact across the Commonwealth. The gathering, held at the Cooperative Extension Building in Frankfort, brought together lawmakers from both chambers of the Kentucky General Assembly, agriculture leaders, industry representatives, and university partners.
The program included remarks from Kentucky State President Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo; Dr. Andrew Ray, chair of the School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Science; Dr. Laura Stephenson from the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment; Brett Connors of Castle & Key Distillery; and Dr. Marcus Bernard, dean of the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources.
Dr. Akakpo said: “As the Commonwealth’s 1890 land-grant institution, Kentucky State University has a responsibility to serve beyond our campus boundaries. The Legislative Fish Fry allows us to welcome leaders to campus, share our progress, and demonstrate how our work in education, research, and Extension creates value for Kentucky.”
An impact report was distributed to lawmakers detailing recent achievements such as operations at the Hay Testing Lab in Glasgow, $1.7 million received through USDA Capacity Building Grants, new degree programs like the Bachelor of Science in Aquatic Science, as well as applied research related to pawpaw products and fermentation.
Dr. Bernard commented on these efforts: “Those are not isolated accomplishments. They reflect what it means for a public university to remain focused on service. Kentucky State University is translating teaching, research, and Extension into outcomes that support producers, expand opportunity for students, and strengthen communities across Kentucky.”
Dr. Stephenson noted the importance of collaboration between Kentucky’s two land-grant institutions—the University of Kentucky (established under the Morrill Act of 1862) and Kentucky State (designated under the Second Morrill Act of 1890)—to advance innovation throughout rural communities.
Aquaculture played a central role during the event with information shared about its economic contributions in areas such as fish health and conservation. The School of Aquaculture supports more than 110 commercial enterprises statewide—including pay lakes and food producers—and assists with STEM programs by installing aquaculture systems in over two dozen high schools.
Guests were served shrimp raised indoors by university researchers along with bass and bluegill from Mayer Fish Farm—a long-standing partner since 1999—alongside desserts featuring pawpaw fruit developed through university-led projects.
Castle & Key Distillery contributed beverages for attendees while Connors highlighted ongoing partnerships with Kentucky State in workforce development tied to fermentation sciences.
First organized in 2004 during Dr. Mary Evans Sias’s presidency, the Legislative Fish Fry continues as an annual tradition reflecting Kentucky State’s dedication to public service and engagement across sectors throughout the state.
