KSU Aquaculture Research Center

06/23/2026

🌾 From the Field to the Water: Looking back at the Kentucky FFA State Convention! 🐟

We had an incredible time on June 9th and 10th connecting with the next generation of agricultural leaders! The energy, passion, and dedication of those FFA students are exactly what the future of our food systems needs.

The team from Kentucky State University's College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources, along with the School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Science (SAAS), was out in full force. We loved interacting with so many future farmers and sharing how we operate.

Here is what we got to highlight with students during the convention:

Life at the ARC: We gave future farmers an inside look at the groundbreaking research, hands-on learning, and extension work happening right here at our Aquaculture Research Center (ARC).

Land Meets Water: We talked about how agriculture and aquaculture aren't separate worlds—they actually go hand in hand! From sustainable aquaponics to managing farm ponds and recycling nutrients, water and soil work together to feed the world.

Endless Career Paths: We shared how KSU provides the perfect pathways to turn a passion for traditional farming, health and nutrition, or cutting-edge natural resource management into a rewarding career.

🎓 Ready to dive deeper?
If you’re interested in pursuing an undergraduate or master's degree in aquaculture or aquatic science, we want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] or visit our website at www.kysu.edu/aqua to learn more about our programs and opportunities.

To all the FFA members, advisors, and supporters who stopped by our booth, asked fantastic questions, and shared their vision for the future—thank you! We are so proud to support the next generation of leadership.

06/22/2026

06/22/2026

Let's Explore Elkhorn Creek Educational Float will be June 26th at 8 AM at Canoe KY.
Cost is $55 per person.

Topics covered during the float include:
-identifying invasive plants
-how to remove invasive plants
-conservation practices
-water quality

The float also includes a tour of Pfeiffer Fish Hatchery!

To reserve your spot, call or text "creek" to 502-484-5703. Be sure to provide your full name and total number of attendees.

06/19/2026

Honoring history. Celebrating freedom. Inspiring the future. 🌟

Happy Juneteenth from all of us at the Kentucky State University School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Science! Today we reflect on the historic milestone of Freedom Day and celebrate the enduring contributions of the Black community to our university, aquaculture, and our world. 💚💛

06/18/2026

🌿🐟 Earlier this month, the Kentucky State University Aquatic Research Center’s Aquaponics Team had the incredible privilege of hosting a three-day Aquaponics Train-the-Trainer Bootcamp!

We welcomed six outstanding veterans from across the United States who provide agricultural education and outreach in their own communities. At KSU SAAS, we absolutely love being involved in community building and helping others succeed. This bootcamp was the perfect reflection of that mission—combining classroom instruction with hands-on, practical learning to empower these veterans with sustainable food production skills.

Here is a look at what they accomplished during their time with us:

📚 In the Classroom: Morning sessions focused on "whole-system thinking," covering everything from system design and water quality to fish health, budgeting, and marketing strategies.

🛠️ Hands-On Learning: In the afternoons, the group rolled up their sleeves and built a media-based aquaponics system from the ground up using an IBC tote—gaining real-world experience in plumbing, layout, and system installation.

One participating veteran shared: "This was very beneficial and eye-opening. The system design was great and helped me foster understanding of whole-system thinking. Great work."

We are so proud to support our veterans and extend the reach of Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension through meaningful community outreach and education. Thank you to everyone who made this bootcamp a success! 💚💛

06/17/2026

Human teenagers have it rough, but imagine going through puberty when your nose is literally longer than the rest of your entire body. 🙄🐟

Our paddlefish fingerlings have officially entered their awkward teenage phase! They are growing like weeds, but their coordination hasn’t quite caught up yet.

Here is the current situation in the tank:

The Snout Situation: A paddlefish’s "nose" is actually called a rostrum. Right now, their rostrums are comically oversized compared to their bodies.

The Clumsiness: Because they are front-heavy, they are currently the world's worst parallel parkers. They are constantly bumping into the tank glass, decorations, and each other. Bonk!

Fun Paddlefish Fact: That giant rostrum isn't just for bumping into things! It’s actually covered in thousands of electroreceptors. In the wild, it acts like a high-tech antenna to help them detect the tiny electrical impulses of zooplankton.

🧬 Did You Know? (They Aren't Just Goofy, They're Ancient!)
These awkward kids are actually part of a pretty big deal. Here is why we love them:

Living Dinosaurs: Paddlefish have been swimming around North America for over 125 million years—meaning their ancestors dodged T. rex footprints! 🦖

Shark Neighbors? Even though they are bony fish, their skeletons are actually made of cartilage, just like sharks.

They Live For Decades: This teenage phase is just a drop in the bucket. Paddlefish are incredibly long-lived, frequently reaching 30 to 50 years old in the wild!

A True North American Original: These guys are native right here to the Mississippi River basin. Sadly, since their sister species (the Chinese paddlefish) went extinct, our American paddlefish is the very last paddlefish species left on Earth.

Because wild populations face tough challenges from dams and habitat loss, raising these clumsy fingerlings in hatcheries is vital to keeping this ancient species thriving.

Moving Out! 🚚
They have officially outgrown their current tank and are leaving the nest. To give them the space they need to stretch out and stop playing bumper cars, we are moving them to a large outdoor pond.

Stay tuned for moving day updates, and wish these awkward kids luck out in the big world!

06/10/2026

Earlier today, the Harvesting Potential Summer Agriculture Program toured our Aquatic Research Center at Kentucky State University, diving deep into the science of sustainable aquaculture.

Harvesting Potential is a completely free, residential experience designed to expose high school young men to advanced agricultural technology, sustainability, and career pathways they might never have considered before.

By connecting them directly with our faculty, staff, and hands-on research facilities, we're helping build the next generation of innovators in agribusiness and food systems. It was a pleasure having this sharp group on-site!

06/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JHZvcW8od/

New research has shown there is probably little viral and bacterial infection passing from farmed salmon to wild fish in the sea.

06/08/2026