Interview with Paul P. Appel,

Interview Summary

In this interview, Paul Appel talks about his work as the Superintendent of the Western Kentucky Substation at Princeton., Kentucky and mentions his discussions regarding improvements to the farm house with Dean Charles E. Barnhart. Prior to this, all of the resources went to the improvement of the farm and its structures rather than the living quarters. He recalls the previous Superintendent, S. J. Lowry, and his family. Appel states he was born on grain and livestock farm near Evansville, Indiana, and served in the Navy during World War II. He attended Purdue University where he majored in Animal Science, minored in Agricultural Economics with a specialization in Farm Management, and graduated with a B. S. degree in 1950.

Appel worked as an Extension Agent in Terre Haute, Indiana (Vigo County), then became the farm manager at the Charles Pfizer animal nutrition supplement research facility for nine years, where he first met Charles E. Barnhart, although they both attended Purdue at the same time. Appel was working for the Dow Chemical Company in the Northwest, when he was contacted by Barnhart to come back to Kentucky and work at the Substation in 1963. Appel talks about various research projects and how the limited budget affected programs and staffing. He discusses the important grass farming research done at this facility regarding the reconditioning of fields and storage of hay. He mentions various types of grasses being studied for livestock forage. Appel says the facility has 2,500 to 3,000 visitors each year from various schools, 4-H, and professional activities. He mentions that Harry Young from Christian County, Kentucky was the pioneer of no-till farming program in Western Kentucky.

Interview LC Subject

Appel, Paul P., 1925- Appel, Paul P., 1925- --Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History

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