The night of December 10 and into the early morning hours of December 11, four states saw a string of powerful tornadoes travel over 220 miles. The storm started in Arkansas and traveled to the northeast through Missouri and Tennessee. However, Kentucky received the brunt of the storm, seeing 78 fatalities, 8 of which happened at a candle factory. Additionally, 12 victims were children, making the age range between two months old and 98 years old.
Other facilities, including livestock and fields, were destroyed in the tornadoes as well. One such facility was the University of Kentucky’s hemp research farm in Princeton, over three hours away from Lexington. This facility has been integral over the past nearly 100 years in advancing the hemp industry through research and trials.
“The research station, known as the UK Research and Education Center was established in 1925 to serve the Western Kentucky area of the state where the majority of our row crops are located,” says Jeff Franklin. He is the current communications officer for the University of Kentucky Extensions, including the hemp research farm. “Worst of all, the research facilities were renovated completely and just dedicated in the fall of 2020. It then became known as the Grain and Forage Center of Excellence. It is destroyed, but the good thing was no one injured in the overnight tornadoes.”
Next Steps
With the research facility destroyed, along with other locations across the state, it could take years for Kentucky to get back on its feet. FEMA began removing debris from the locations hit worst by the tornadoes this past weekend. They also stated that only a little over 3,000 individuals are without power, down from the initial 24,000.
As for the University of Kentucky, President Eli Capilouto is reaching out to students, faculty, and their extended families to make sure they are okay. Efforts to help financially as well as providing basic necessities began the morning after the storm.
“We talk often on our campus about what Kentucky can do. Kentucky can meet this moment because Kentucky cares,” the president said in a newsletter to students, faculty, and supporters of the university. “As long as we care, we can do anything. I know. I have seen it so many times, in so many places and spaces. Where there is need, we are there. That has always been our greatest strength as a community, a compassionate community that cares and is always there.
There isn’t any current information about the next steps the University of Kentucky will take to rebuild their hemp research facility. Their focus will remain on their university community as well as the state of Kentucky for the time being. Should more information become available, we will update you with the latest.
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