The Eden Shale farm is comprised of 961 acres in Owen County, KY and has been owned by the University of Kentucky since 1955. For over 50 years, the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment operated Eden Shale Farm as a research facility. Over time, the cost of operation became cost-prohibitive, in part due to the lack of proximity to Lexington, KY as well as ever-increasing costs associated with the farms' agricultural research projects.

After extensive discussions, the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and the non-profit Kentucky Beef Network, LLC (KBN) negotiated a collaboration agreement that provides for KBN to assume the majority of operational and financial responsibility for Eden Shale farm, with the goal of operating as a learning and demonstration farm.

The goal is to operate the property in a way that demonstrates cutting-edge research into beef production practices in Kentucky. The university retains ownership of the property. The arrangement will allow the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment personnel to continue collaborative activities.