The Driving AgTech Research and Education in Kentucky (DARE-KY) project, funded through the NSF E-RISE RII program, seeks to strengthen Kentucky’s competitiveness in sustainable agriculture technology (SAT) research and workforce development. Aligned with the Kentucky Science & Technology Plan, DARE-KY integrates inclusive networks, use-inspired research, and workforce pathways to establish Kentucky as a leader in agricultural technology (AgTech). This presentation aims to summarize the research outcomes and capacity building from the first year of the project.
The primary research focus of the DARE-KY project is implementing use-inspired research to discover the role of microorganisms in nutrient recovery from solid effluent (waste) from fish production and the potential of aquaculture effluent as a fertilizer for plant production across multiple industries. Two research projects have been completed in Y1 of the DARE-KY project. The first project involved the addition of mineralized aquaculture effluent to aquaponic systems and measuring the impacts on plant production, water quality, and nutrient/stable isotope dynamics. Preliminary results show significant increases in plant production and aqueous nutrient concentrations. The second project aims to determine the nutrient recovery outcomes of aquaculture effluent mineralization at different oxygen levels, along with determining the primary microbes driving the mineralization process. Preliminary results show significant changes in nutrient recovery rates and microbial community shifts within the first two weeks of mineralization.
Other project goals include the construction of research incubators at partnering institutions throughout the state and curriculum development. Completed facilities include a hydroponics research lab and replicated aquaponic systems and the capstone facility of the project, a 538m2 greenhouse, is currently under construction. Several new courses, including an introduction to soilless agriculture class, are prepared for launch in the spring 2026 semester.
Overall, the DARE-KY has established a robust collaborative network, expanded Kentucky’s AgTech research infrastructure, engaged students across educational levels, and developed new industry and community partnerships in Y1 of the project . These efforts are laying the foundation for long-term sustainability of translational SAT research, while cultivating the next generation of AgTech researchers and professionals in Kentucky.