Tomatoes grown for a graduate student’s research project at the WKU Farm are being used to feed the needy at the Salvation Army in Bowling Green.

“Last year we had so many tomatoes that we decided that we’d take them to the Salvation Army,” said Gary Cundiff, an agronomy graduate student from Louisville. “What gives me joy is taking tomatoes in there.”

His research plot of the Big Beef tomato variety produced more than 500 pounds last year.

“This project is one more example of how what we do in the WKU Department of Agriculture is benefiting our students and the community,” said Dr. Becky Gilfillen, agronomy professor. “It’s a win-win situation.”

In his research, which includes a plot of green beans as well, Cundiff has inoculated the soil and plants with a beneficial fungus group called mycorrhizae (which means fungus root) and is checking to see how it affects yield, soil quality, nutrient uptake and more.

While it’s too early to determine results in year two of the research, Dr. Gilfillen and Cundiff have gotten excellent results from the staff and visitors at the Salvation Army.

“The people who come here to eat really love them,” said Farrah Yarbrough, a WKU social work student who cooks and serves 75 to 100 lunch visitors daily at the Salvation Army kitchen. “All they want is tomatoes – homegrown tomatoes. As soon as we start serving, the tomatoes are gone quickly. We appreciate the WKU staff bringing them in.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is funding a portion of Cundiff’s research, which has allowed him to purchase plants and to share produce in the community, Dr. Gilfillen said.

 “You can tell they’re excited about it and enjoy fresh produce especially since vegetables have gotten more expensive in recent years,” Dr. Gilfillen said, adding that other groups at the WKU Farm also share their produce with community groups and agencies.