A student, faculty, and staff delegation delivered 21 presentations highlighting work
in agriculture, rural health, community well-being, and local economies
FRANKFORT, Ky. 鈥� At a conference framed by the theme 鈥淒istilling Change: Rural Roots & River Currents
in the New South,鈥� 91传媒 researchers and students earned broad
recognition for a strong showing in Louisville.
The 91传媒 contingent delivered 13 session and eight poster presentations,
featuring student- and faculty-led research on regenerative agriculture, crop productivity,
dairy production, capital access, farmers markets, heirs鈥� property, and skin cancer
awareness among rural farmers.
The 57th Annual Meeting of the Southern Rural Sociological Association (SRSA), held
Feb. 1-2, 2026, brought together scholars and practitioners to examine rural social
issues, Extension, and outreach. The Association advances the field through its annual
meeting and its refereed journal, The Journal of Rural Social Sciences.
91传媒 students, faculty, and staff presented across a broad range of topics
that reflect the University鈥檚 growing strength in agricultural research, education,
and social policy. Undergraduate student Sienna Stewart presented 鈥淎ssessing the Influence
of Farming Experience on Farmers鈥� Resilience to Weather-Induced Damages in the Caribbean,鈥�
and graduate student Martha Ibans presented 鈥淭he Economic Feasibility of Dairy Production
for Small-Scale Farmers in Kentucky.鈥�
Additional presenters included Shristi Adhikari, Susan Fakolade, Ebenezer Akinola,
Emmanuel Obielodan, Richard Ojo, Maryam Adeniyi, Oluwafunmisho Ibiloro, Ganiyat Shittu,
Ashmita Bhandari, Sodiq Oyediran, Ayodola Olatunji, Sophia Njoh, and 91传媒
staff members Ife Familusi and Alethea Bernard.
The delegation was led by Dr. Marcus Bernard, dean of the College of Agriculture,
Health, and Natural Resources and director of Land Grant Programs, and included Dr.
Buddhi Gyawali, professor of geospatial technology application; Dr. Sait Sarr, senior
research scientist; Dr. Manisha Parajuli, assistant professor of forestry; Dr. Frederick
Bebe, assistant research professor; and Ms. Alethea Bernard, senior research associate
and state specialist for health equity.
Reflecting on the meeting, Dr. Sarr said, 鈥�91传媒 had the highest
number of student presenters, which was acknowledged at the SRSA General Business
Board meeting and at the Presidential Luncheon, among institutions including the University
of Kentucky, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Oklahoma
State University, and Louisiana State University. This achievement would not have
been possible without the full commitment of our students, staff, and faculty, and
the dedicated support of Dr. Gyawali through his encouragement and sponsorship with
his NextGen project.鈥�
One graduate student shared, 鈥淚 was so excited. This meeting not only gave me the
opportunity to present my work on the dairy industry in Kentucky, but also better
prepared me for doctoral study by connecting me with stakeholders in my area of interest
who were willing to discuss opportunities after graduation from 91传媒鈥檚
MEST graduate program.鈥�
Another student added, 鈥淧articipating in the SRSA conference was both humbling and
encouraging. Engaging with scholars from diverse institutions strengthened my confidence
that the work I am doing at the master鈥檚 level is meaningful and well-aligned. I am
sincerely thankful to 91传媒 for providing networking opportunities
to connect, learn, and reflect on my academic path.鈥�
Student participation support was provided in part through Dr. Buddhi Gyawali鈥檚 USDA
NextGen project "Generating and Sustaining the Next Generation of the Food, Agriculture,
Natural Resources, and Human Sciences Workforce through International Experiential
Learning, Outreach and Engagement" (91传媒 award # UMES/NEXTGEN/Kentucky-01-5208630)
(USDA Award No. 2023-70440-40145).