Interview with Charles E. Barnhart, July 15, 1997

Interview Summary

In this interview, Dr. Charles E. Barnhart discusses the problems of modern day agriculture. He talks about the perception of the population regarding large scale agricultural production, and the problems of agricultural food producers keeping up with population growth. Barnhart describes the advantages of the Main Chance Farm purchase in combining property with Coldstream Farm and Spindletop Farm, already owned by the University of Kentucky, and discusses the controversy of the Main Chance Farm purchase between U.K. and the Pessin-Ellsworth-Johnson group. He explains the purchase of this land by the University of Kentucky Research Foundation (UKRF), and how it earns money for this type of activity through the administration of gifts and grants. Barnhart talks about the history of Main Chance Farm. He discusses the Keeneland Association, a Thoroughbred racing and sales facility in Lexington, Kentucky and its support of the College of Agriculture, the Veterinary Science Department, and the local community.

Barnhart recalls that the salaries of the University President and others are paid or supplemented by individuals to circumvent state regulations on salary limits. He describes his appointment as Dean of the College of Agriculture and Dr. Otis Singletary's appointment as UK President during the same time period. Barnhart discusses the campus unrest in 1969 and the security measures taken regarding the College of Agriculture's buildings and farm properties with the assistance of the Student Agricultural Council.

Barnhart describes the work of Dr. John Robertson, U.K.'s Associate Dean for Instruction, in developing cooperation between the College of Agriculture and the agribusiness community in the central United States in the early 1970's. He discusses "the major, major, revisions to the Agriculture curriculum". Barnhart talks about his concern for the future of agriculture, the quality of students coming to U.K. during this time and the idea of county extension working with the schools to guide the best students towards a career in agriculture. He mentions his open door policy at U.K.

Interview LC Subject

Agriculture. Barnhart, Charles E., 1923- Barnhart, Charles E., 1923- --Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History

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Interview Usage

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