UK agricultural research facility lands additional $26.7 million in federal funding
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky will receive an additional $26.7 million in federal funding for construction of an agricultural research facility focused on forage and animal production, bringing federal funding announced for the project over several years to more than $102 million.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the latest funding for construction of the Agricultural Research Service Forage-Animal Production Unit at UK, according to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
The new allocation follows $65.9 million in federal funding secured in fiscal year 2020 and another $10 million in fiscal year 2026. Combined with the latest $26.7 million, those allocations total $102.6 million.
The investment is expected to strengthen UK’s agricultural research infrastructure and expand research aimed at improving productivity and competitiveness for Kentucky farmers and livestock producers.
“I’m honored to have helped secure funding for the establishment and construction of this project over the years, and it’s great to see this final piece go into place for Kentucky’s leading agricultural research lab,” McConnell said.
“There is no doubt this funding will help the University of Kentucky continue to solidify itself as the center for agricultural research in the Commonwealth, and I’m grateful for its work in this field,” he added.
The Forage-Animal Production Research Unit is part of USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, the department’s primary in-house research agency.
Research involving forage and livestock production has particular importance for Kentucky’s agricultural economy, where cattle, horses and other livestock operations depend heavily on pasture and forage systems.
The federal investment also expands the research partnership between USDA and Kentucky’s flagship university, potentially providing new resources for scientists studying issues that directly affect farm productivity, animal health and rural economies.
UK President Eli Capilouto called the latest funding a “transformative step forward” for the project.
“The University of Kentucky is deeply grateful to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for this significant investment in agricultural research and to Senator Mitch McConnell for his steadfast leadership in helping make this project a reality,” Capilouto said.
“This funding represents a transformative step forward for the Agricultural Research Service Forage-Animal Production Unit and reinforces Kentucky’s position as a national leader in agricultural innovation.”
Capilouto said collaboration among USDA, the Agricultural Research Service and UK will expand the university’s ability to conduct research supporting farmers and rural communities.
The latest $26.7 million represents what McConnell described as the final piece of federal funding needed for construction of the project.
McConnell has been involved in securing federal support for the facility over multiple federal budget cycles.
The largest previous allocation came in fiscal year 2020, when $65.9 million was provided for the UK ARS laboratory. Another $10 million was secured in fiscal year 2026 before USDA’s latest $26.7 million commitment.
Beyond the construction investment itself, the facility is expected to add to Lexington’s concentration of university and federal agricultural research activity while supporting one of Kentucky’s largest economic sectors.
Agriculture remains a multibillion-dollar industry in Kentucky, encompassing livestock, poultry, grains, horticulture, equine operations and an extensive network of agricultural suppliers, processors and related businesses.
The research conducted through the Forage-Animal Production Unit is intended to translate scientific work into applications that can ultimately improve agricultural production and help farmers address changing economic, environmental and production challenges.