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 idea, so we began to lay the groundwork for what we called UK Extension Equine Summit. After several planning meetings this program took shape and included: 

·        Two locations: Mercer County and Daviess County

·        All ANR and 4-H agents were invited to this program

·        County horse leaders were invited to attend

·        The program include and overview of UK Equine program                 and resources 

·        How to Develop Equine Programs in Your county (I gave a               presentation on Getting Started.) 

·        How to connect with horse clients in your county

·        Round table discussions focused on the challenges and                  opportunities of starting and improving equine program in               KY.  (I was instrumental in developing the discussion                         questions)

An estimated 58 agents, 47 leaders and 9 specialists attended the two informational gathering meeting.  

Information (17 typed page document) from the round table discussions was compiled by Dr. Lori Garkovich and the Equine Summit Committee. This information was passed on to the Equine Agents Workgroup (that I chair) and was reviewed by this committee of Agriculture and  4-H Agents and Extension Horse Specialists. Individual concerns were prioritized into different categories and then  “Equine Action Plan” were developed to address these issues and opportunities. Agents and Specialists are working together to address these "Action Items" that will provide support and direction to present and future equine programs in KY.   

As a result of the Summit I have been asked by two agents to help them develop multi- county equine clubs/associations in their county.