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
Author: Kevin Lyons
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
Author: T. Adam Probst
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
Author: Don Sorrell
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
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
Author: Deborah Stumbo
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
Author: Bob Coleman
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
Author: Gary Bell
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
Author: Traci Johnson
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 #
Author: Reed Graham
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
Author: Nicholas Carter
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
Author: Fernanda Camargo
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
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
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
Author: Christopher Schalk
Author: Linda McClanahan
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
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
