Planting Seeds of Innovation

By Amy Charles

The University of Pikeville continues to lead the way in innovation, bringing new opportunities for students through the emerging indoor farming industry. UPIKE’s latest endeavor on the agricultural front is the AgTech Innovation Center of Excellence.

President Burton J. Webb, Ph.D., visited the Netherlands this past summer as part of a delegation representing the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He believes one way to foster research and encourage more young people to pursue careers in agriculture is to create a place where they can learn about controlled environment agriculture (CEA) techniques in Eastern Kentucky.

“Several members of my leadership team and I have traveled to the Netherlands to investigate their approach to food production,” said Webb. “There, all of the support businesses for the CEA sector tend to cluster around research centers called Green Ports. We plan to replicate that kind of complex ecosystem here in Kentucky. If we do it well, significant economic development will be the result.”

CEA is just one part of the larger AgTech market in the U.S., and it has the potential to become a multibilliondollar industry, which could be transformative for the region. Replicating the Netherlands’ agricultural model, this project aims to promote job growth by bringing an advanced, new industry to the area while enhancing educational opportunities for UPIKE students.

“High-tech agriculture and CEA are industries exploding throughout the region,” said Webb. “The UPIKE AgTech Innovation Center of Excellence puts Pikeville on the high-tech CEA map and will enable us to grow with this innovative industry.”

The facility will include a greenhouse, classroom space, laboratory and offices to lead high-tech agriculture research efforts that aid the industry’s continued development and long-term viability while supporting increasing regional demand for food production. Once completed, the project will contribute to entrepreneurial and business development strategies for Eastern Kentucky and Central Appalachia, as well as the education of the next generation of the agricultural industry workforce.

Expansion of the university, along with announcements of large donations and grants, is born from the vision of UPIKE’s leadership, together with the diligence of Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations David Hutchens and his dedicated team. Hutchens anticipates a ripple effect from the full realization of the project to provide a boost to the job market and help diversify the economy.

“Completing the UPIKE AgTech Innovation Center of Excellence will be a catalyst in promoting growth for a new industry in the region that is beyond our imagination,” said Hutchens. “This endeavor will attract new partners to the area with an end result of muchneeded job creation. We are excited to be at the forefront of such an exciting opportunity for the region.”

The university has secured grant funding to cover the construction of the new facility. The U.S. Department of Commerce announced a $4.4 million competitive grant the Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded to the university.

In partnership with the City of Pikeville, the EDA grant involves a lease agreement between UPIKE and the city, allowing the university to use nearly 14 acres of land at the Kentucky Enterprise Industrial Park in Pikeville for the construction of the building. Bringing together the public and private sectors to create economic development only furthers the relationship Webb has forged with the city to strengthen the regional economy.

Additionally, the Appalachian Regional Commission has awarded UPIKE a $1.5 million grant that will be used toward the construction of the center. While the entire structure is expected to be finished by fall of 2024, more funds are desired to complete the project.

Anyone wishing to make a contribution to the AgTech Innovation Center of Excellence can contact UPIKE’s Office of Advancement at (606) 218-5268 or advancement@upike.edu