Interview with Charles E. Barnhart, October 7, 1997

Interview Summary

In this session, Dr. Charles E. Barnhart talks about the hemp movement and its impact on the University of Kentucky's College of Agriculture in regards to the problems of growing illegal marijuana in Kentucky. He says he and some of the associate deans worked with Gatewood Galbraith on this issue as well as doing research on marijuana, stating that the official position of the College of Agriculture was that "marijuana is illegal, it's illegal to grow it and that was about the extent of our position". He recalls the history of hemp production in Kentucky.

Barnhart discusses the plans for reorganization within the administration at U.K. during the mid 1980's. He talks about how his relationship with the administration did not change and that he did not see any new opportunities for better communication between agriculture and the central administration and states that his relationship of reporting directly to the university president remained the same. Barnhart mentions his discussions with Albert Clay, who was a member of the U.K. Board of Trustees, about the College of Agriculture, the Tobacco and Health Research Institute, and new chairman appointments. Barnhart describes the controversy regarding development of the Horse Park and where it should be located when Coldstream Farm was suggested as a possible site. He talks about his relationship with John Gaines, one of his former students. Barnhart describes the administration's budgetary concerns of the early 1980's. He mentions Toni Powell as "an innovative, visionary librarian" who was one of the leaders in revamping the agricultural library system in the United States.

Interview LC Subject

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

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