Kelley Manufacturing Company recently donated equipment valued at more than $73,000 to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College including a KMC 6800 4R Ripper Bedder and a 20-foot KMC Resi-Till .

“The School of Agriculture and Natural Resources is very excited to receive such a generous donation of equipment from KMC,” Dr. Darby Sewell, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, said.

The 4R Ripper Bedder is equipped with toggle trip shanks and bed shapers. The Resi-Till is a unique type of vertical tillage tool capable of operating in high residue field conditions without producing compaction. Both will be used for educational purposes on the J.G. Woodroof Farm at ABAC.

“The agriculture programs at ABAC have undergone tremendous growth in recent years, Sewell said. “A key component to the agricultural programs is the opportunity for hands-on, practical learning experiences through laboratories at the ABAC Farm.”

Sewell said KMC continuously assists ABAC’s agricultural programs by providing the latest technology. As equipment becomes dated, KMC swaps it with new and improved equipment.

“We are thankful for the support of KMC and its dedication to helping the College provide a quality education to our students,” Sewell said.

KMC is a 100 per cent employee-owned Employee Stock Ownership Plan company.  Many of the employees are ABAC graduates, including its President, Bennie Branch.

“We are very excited about the growth in the agricultural programs at ABAC and are proud to provide this equipment and our continued support,” Branch said.