History of the Eden Shale Farm
Eden Shale Farm was established in 1955 as a research farm for the University of Kentucky. Thirty-three counties raised between $500 and $1000 while farmers in those counties also put in one cent per acre of Eden Shale soil type on their farm to help acquire the land. Five farms were purchased in August 1955 and combined to form one farm consisting of 950 acres at a cost of $67.04 per acre for a total cost of $63,000. Research centered on pasture improvement, management, and livestock grazing and some of the early research on Kentucky 31 fescue was completed at Eden Shale. Over the course of 55 years this farm only saw three managers two of which retired from the farm. The University of Kentucky closed operations of Eden Shale in July 2012 due to budget constraints. (excerpt taken from "A History of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Eden Shale Research Farm" by Aimee Nielson)
Who is the Kentucky Beef Network
Who is the Kentucky Beef Network? The Kentucky Beef Network, LLC. (KBN) is an arm of the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association that focuses on helping beef cattle farmers, improve animal health, genetics, forages, and marketing opportunities by enhancing producer profitability. All 38,000 cattlemen in Kentucky have the opportunity to benefit from programs and services offered through the KBN.
The Kentucky Beef Network manages a grant through the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund to provide on-farm support, education, and resources to Kentucky farmers. In 2013 the Kentucky Beef Network assumed management responsibilities for the Eden Shale Farm.
The Kentucky Beef Network manages a grant through the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund to provide on-farm support, education, and resources to Kentucky farmers. In 2013 the Kentucky Beef Network assumed management responsibilities for the Eden Shale Farm.
Kentucky Beef Network and Eden Shale Farm
In July 2012 the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture approached the Kentucky Beef Network about overseeing the direction and management of the Eden Shale Farm. Through a Cooperative Agreement with UK College of Agriculture, Kentucky Beef Network took over management of Eden Shale in April 2013. The farm will be under the direction of Kentucky Beef Network’s five managers who are appointed by the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association while an Advisory Committee made up of three representatives from UK College of Agriculture and Kentucky Beef Network will oversee the overall direction and goals of Eden Shale.
From the beginning, KBN’s goal has been to educate cattlemen using a hands-on approach. Eden Shale Farm is managed in a transparent fashion by blogging, demonstrational videos, farm tours and even a virtual tour.
The farm consists of 961 acres, which includes 500 acres of forages. The forages are used for multiple demonstrations, research projects and are home to Eden Shale’s commercial cowherd which represents a typical Kentucky cow calf operation. The cattle are managed in a way that places emphasis on environmental stewardship and best management practices, that include centralized watering points, winter feeding, water harvesting and wind solar energy, among other emerging practices that are feasible for producers to implement on their own farms.
From the beginning, KBN’s goal has been to educate cattlemen using a hands-on approach. Eden Shale Farm is managed in a transparent fashion by blogging, demonstrational videos, farm tours and even a virtual tour.
The farm consists of 961 acres, which includes 500 acres of forages. The forages are used for multiple demonstrations, research projects and are home to Eden Shale’s commercial cowherd which represents a typical Kentucky cow calf operation. The cattle are managed in a way that places emphasis on environmental stewardship and best management practices, that include centralized watering points, winter feeding, water harvesting and wind solar energy, among other emerging practices that are feasible for producers to implement on their own farms.
