Success Stories By MajorProgram FY2019Jul 1, 2018 - Jun 30, 2019





Amish Community contribute to Parasitology Study

Author: Bonita Jolly

Major Program: Equine

            Having a large underserved Amish population in the Sonora area dependent on horses as part of their livelihood, the Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service has teamed up with University of KY Equine Specialist, Dr. Fernanda Camargo to offer a “Horse Wellness Clinic” for the past two years. During the initial phase fecal samples were collected from over 50 horses with a follow up deworming protocol.  This was also part of a Veter

Full Story

Newport High School Horse Club

Author: Don Sorrell

Major Program: Equine

How do you connect inner city youth to agriculture? During the fall of 2017,  Sarah Stolz (horticulture agent), Don Sorrell (ANR agent) and Claire Linepensel, Campbell County 4-H Program Assistant,  offered Newport High School students the opportunity to visit local farms through a program we called Newport High School Agriculture and Horticulture 4-H Club. With only a few students (six) to sign up for this after school program we decided to move forward with our idea.  Most of th

Full Story

UK Equine Summit

Author: Don Sorrell

Major Program: Equine

I had the opportunity to serve as secretary of the UK Equine Summit Committee.  In the past, this committee has hosted an Equine Summit program that focused on equine issues of the horse industry (mostly thoroughbreds) in KY. Prior to our first 2018 planning meeting, I suggested we focus the 2018 Equine Summit around meeting the needs of Extension Ag and Natural Resources agents and 4-H agents as it relates to equine programs in their county. The Committee was very receptive to the ide

Full Story

Christmas for Kids

Author: Deborah Stumbo

Major Program: Equine

Eastern Kentucky has the highest food insecurity in the United States.  In Pike County, 11,750 individuals (18.7% of county population) are not sure where their next meal will come from. 71% of the population of Pike County qualify for SNAP, WIC, Free School Meals, CSFP & TEFAP. Even though Pike County has such a high Poverty rate, there are still kids that fall through the cracks and will have virtually no Christmas without intervention.  The "Broken Trail" trail riders

Full Story

Master Horse Owner Course

Author: Shane Bogle

Major Program: Equine

Horses are an important part of the agricultural economy in Kentucky and the Caldwell County area has numerous working quarter horse farms that greatly add a to the local economy. In addition to the economic value of the horse industry, they hold a significant social value and western pleasure horse clientele make up the largest percentage and many horse owners are turning to the horse as a means of family recreation.  Many of these horse owners have limited experience with horses and are o

Full Story

Building Kentucky Equine Extension

Author: Linda McClanahan

Major Program: Equine

In an effort to increase equine extension programming, the ANR agent served on a planning committee for the biennial Equine Summitt Committee.  Previous summits have focused on research and teaching.  Through discussion with equine faculty and agents, plans were developed to host 2 Equine Summits focused on equine extension work.  The intent was to highlight some of the great work already happening in KY, determine current challenges and opportunities for equine extension work and

Full Story

Expanding Equine Extension Relationships

Author: Linda McClanahan

Major Program: Equine

 The 2012 KY Equine Survey reported Mercer County ranking 10th in equine income and home to 580 equine operations.  The ANR agent continues to issue a quarterly newsletter (Equine Express) that is now mailed to 153 people and meets regularly with the Fort Harrod Backcountry Horsemen. In addition ANR agents in the district collaborated to host the Annual Pastures Please! Workshop.  Numerous survey responses indicated over the years this conference has led to increased profitab

Full Story

Equine Field Day

Author: Christopher Schalk

Major Program: Equine

South Central Kentucky is recognized as being a state leader in the areas of beef, dairy, poultry, forage, and tobacco.  However the equine industry is also a very integral part of the agriculture economy.   Agriculture and 4H Youth Development Extension Agents from Barren, Hart, Metcalfe, & Monroe counties joined forces to bring an educational equine field day to South Central KY.  The counties in this working group represent nearly 10,000 horses worth an estimated $18.2 mill

Full Story

Former UK Equine students working with 4-H'ers

Author: Fernanda Camargo

Major Program: Equine

I have been working with several of my former students in the Equine Science and Management degree to provide educational opportunities and to 4-H kids and to recruit more youth to the 4-H Horse Program. In June we took 45 people involved with the 4-H Horse Program (parents and youth) to visit and learn about the thoroughbred industry in Central Kentucky. We visited 2 Godolphin farms, Mill Ridge, and Coolmore. In each farm, the speakers explained the process of breeding, foaling, raising an

Full Story

Amish horse wellness clinic

Author: Fernanda Camargo

Major Program: Equine

Once again, this program integrated research, outreach, and student training. Moreover, this experience provided an excellent reminder of our purpose as University of Kentucky’s employees, veterinarians, researchers, and extension agents: which is to appreciate, educate, and serve equine owners.We first served this community in 2017 with an overall wellness clinic for their horses as well as vaccination and deworming programs. Since then, several of them have reached out to Bonnie Jol

Full Story

Horse Academy to Chinese Students

Author: Fernanda Camargo

Major Program: Equine

Once again the University of Kentucky China Initiatives Office approached me regarding offering a "horse program" for the Chinese students (from universities in China that have a relationship with UK) that come to UK to learn English and other subject matters. To date we have offered this academy twice, to 2 separate groups of students.  These students come to UK for a period of 2 weeks, and this is one of the ways for UK to recruit international students. Last year we develo

Full Story

Equine Farm and Facilities Expo

Author: Nicholas Carter

Major Program: Equine

Over the past 12 years there has been a strong Equine Program working within the University Of Kentucky College Of Agriculture Food & Environment. During the implementation of the Equine Program it was identified as a need of ways to reach out to small and medium size Equine Operations throughout Kentucky. One of the groups working under the Equine Program is the Pasture Forage Working Group. This Working Group decided to conduct a Twelfth Equine Farm and Facilities Expo on a Equine Operatio

Full Story

Breathitt County Trail Ride

Author: Reed Graham

Major Program: Equine

Breathitt County is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.  The economy is depressed due to the decline of coal production.  However, the forested terrain and waterways can provide an opportunity for tourism. The Breathitt County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent met with a group of horse enthusiasts who wanted to establish a Horseman’s Association for social, educational and economic development activities.  The initial interest meeting had over 3

Full Story

Strengthening Equine Extension's Service to the Horse Industry

Author: Bob Coleman

Major Program: Equine

Educational programs and services that strengthen agriculture production skills are a continued priority identified by Oldham County’s Extension and Agriculture Councils.  Horse production is a vital part of Oldham County and Kentucky agriculture.  The most recent Kentucky Equine Survey was taken in 2012 and revealed the following data:Oldham County ranked #4 in Kentucky in Value of Equine Sold at $7.2 million (compared to $23.4 billion for the entire state)Oldham County ranked #

Full Story

Strengthening Extension's Service to the Horse Industry

Author: Traci Johnson

Major Program: Equine

Educational programs and services that strengthen agriculture production skills are a continued priority identified by Oldham County’s Extension and Agriculture Councils.  Horse production is a vital part of Oldham County and Kentucky agriculture.  The most recent Kentucky Equine Survey was taken in 2012 and revealed the following data:Oldham County ranked #4 in Kentucky in Value of Equine Sold at $7.2 million (compared to $23.4 billion for the entire state)Oldham County ranked #

Full Story

Equine Field Day

Author: Gary Bell

Major Program: Equine

South Central Kentucky is recognized as being a state leader in the areas of beef, dairy, poultry, forage, and tobacco.  However the equine industry is also a very integral part of the agriculture economy.   Agriculture and 4H Youth Development Extension Agents from Barren, Hart, Metcalfe, & Monroe counties joined forces to bring an educational equine field day to South Central KY.  The counties in this working group represent nearly 10,000 horses worth an estimated $18.2 mill

Full Story

Equine Extension Summit 2018

Author: Bob Coleman

Major Program: Equine

In 2012 a survey of the Kentucky Equine industry was completed by the University of Kentucky. The survey reported that there were 35,000 horse operations across the state and that of the 240,400 horses each of the 120 counties had horses and owners. While there are horses and horse owners across the commonwealth how can those people be served by cooperative extension. To try and answer that question an Equine Summit was held in December of 2018. The program was developed and hosted by a com

Full Story

Equine Pasture Education

Author: T. Adam Probst

Major Program: Equine

The largest share of farm gate receipts in Woodford County belongs to the equine industry.  With the latest equine survey (2012) indicating Woodford County has over $1 billion in equine and related assets, it is a very significant industry within the community.  Beginning in 2018, one particular equine operation was having significant issues and problems with foaling.  The Woodford County Extension Service was able to work closely with this operation in order to identify symptoms

Full Story

Tri Co. Equine Field Day

Author: Kevin Lyons

Major Program: Equine

South Central Kentucky is recognized as being a state leader in the areas of beef, dairy, poultry, forage, and tobacco.   However the equine industry is also a very integral part of the agricultural economy.  Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development Extension Agents from Barren, Hart, Metcalfe, & Monroe counties joined forces to bring an educational equine field day to South Central KY.  The counties in this working group represent nearly 10,000 horses worth an estimated $18.2 mi

Full Story

The proof of growth in 4-Her's

Author: Katharine Lawyer

Major Program: Equine

At the 2019 State 4-H Horse Show I was reminded of the reason why we as extension personnel put so much time an effort into building curriculum, organizing events, and providing opportunities to youth.  One such example is when a boy who only a few years ago had never gone to a horse show in his life, won a high point award.  To those not familiar with horse showing, this is an unparalleled feat.  To see how far he had come, from a child who had a hard time memorizing patterns, no

Full Story