The Appalachian Farming Systems Research Center opened in 1980 as the Appalachian Soil and Water Conservation Research Laboratory. A great deal of personal initiative by U. S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, the Center’s first Laboratory Director, Dr. Orus Bennett, and others made the opening possible. Senator Bryd said in his 1980 dedication speech for the new research laboratory “By applying out technological and scientific skills, it will be possible for us to produce more life-sustaining food and energy from a more limited resource base.” Those words are still reflected in the Center’s mission statement.

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