Stephen F. Higgins, PhD, received the 2016 Bill Barfield Award for Outstanding Contributions in Water Resources Research from the Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, an organization housed within the University of Kentucky (UK), whose mission covers research, education, training, and technology transfer.

Higgins is the Director of Animal and Environmental Compliance for UK’s Agricultural Experiment Station. In this position his responsibilities include research and demonstration on nutrient management, soil conservation, and water quality issues, as well as animal care and safety. He spends his time writing publications for the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, providing leadership for the collecting and organizing of data for nutrient management and water quality plans, organizing interdepartmental research activities, and coordinating the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s involvement with various local, state, and federal government agencies and departments. He presents environmental material for the Master Cattleman and Master Stocker Programs, and he managed the Cane Run Watershed Project, which resulted in initial implementation of a watershed-based plan to reduce the effects of non-point source pollution and improve the water quality of the Cane Run in northern Fayette County, Kentucky.

During his time at the University of Kentucky, Higgins has established the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture and Experiment Station as leaders in compliance-related activities and has provided a new way of thinking for managing UK’s Experiment Station farms. By publishing extension articles and giving presentations and demonstrations throughout the state, Higgins shares his unique perspective and working knowledge of water quality and nutrient management issues with Kentucky land owners, farm managers, and other stakeholders. His recent projects at the Kentucky Horse Park, Eden Shale, and the Blue Grass Stockyards speak to his continued involvement with guiding best management practices at agricultural businesses that are economically significant to the Commonwealth.

Story published by UK’s Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department within the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.

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