Kentucky has long been recognized as a leader in forage production across the United States and the World. Being located in the transition zone between north and south adaptation areas enables many species of forage plants to be produced here. The University of Kentucky has a well-established history of innovation in the forage industry including Extension outreach and plant breeding programs that yield new and improved varieties across a host of forage species important to the livestock industry. University of Kentucky Extension Forage Specialists of past and present are known globally for their expertise and leadership having had major impacts on the advancement of forage production science.

In May of 2023 Kentucky hosted the XXV International Grassland Congress (IGC) at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington. This was only the third  time IGC was held in the USA and the first time in Kentucky since 1981. Approximately 650 participants from 55 countries met for 5 days to share scholarly information,  research findings, and extension impacts in the area of forage production. The Madison County ANR agent, Dr. Jimmy Henning and organizing committee chairman Dr. Ray Smith along with approximately a dozen other Central Kentucky ANR agents and University of Kentucky forage researchers hosted four tours across the state. They included educational stops pertaining to feeder cattle grazing, Thoroughbred horses, Bourbon, cow/calf production, Keeneland Racetrack, bale grazing, UK/USDA-ARS-FAPRU forage research, native warm season grass seed production and a large commercial hay production operation.

In total there were approximately 180 IGC attendees that participated in tours of Kentucky. The ANR agent role included leading a team that met monthly for approximately a year and a half to make plans for the Kentucky tours. This included oversite for selecting tour stops, arranging presenters, coordinating meals and special diet needs, paying registrations, securing portable restrooms, developing agendas, coordinating volunteer schedules and serving as overall point of contact. Participants were very complementary of their experience on our tours, were engaged in learning and idea sharing among colleagues.