Having a summer intern here in Campbell County has been very valuable. Conner Richardson, local graduate from Campbell County High School, and now student at the College of Agriculture at UK studying Agriculture Education has given him the opportunity to accept a summer internship with the University in Campbell County. His leadership skills and involvement with FAA gave Conner great experience to listen, learn, and teach for all age groups and communities throughout the county. As his mentor, he was encouraged to engage in all program areas, which allowed him to gain hands-on professional experience working directly with diverse communities. Reading and teaching about growing and eating vegetables to youth in the urban sectors of the community, working with Master Gardener volunteers hand in hand while planting and designing display beds and creating surveys and data collection, exposed him to many opportunities that he will be able to utilize in his continued studies and career path. He expressed that this internship allowed him to: “Gain the experience of working within a professional environment alongside so many other people that are working in different areas with different mindsets”, which he said has been the most valuable take away from being a summer intern in Campbell County. 

His main project was to analyze current farmers market trends and make suggestions on how markets can increase sales and buyer participation. With four markets here, it’s been thought that not all markets are needed or viewed as being valuable. To better understand the needs of consumers, data was needed to gain better understanding and to give guidance on the direction of the local food markets here in Campbell County. Working primarily with Dr. Woods, Agriculture Economics specialists, Conner will continue his research as college credit independent project to analyze and interpret the data. Once all the data is collected and analyzed, information will be shared at a meeting hosted my Conner and myself with market vendors, CEC, and District Board. These results will also be valuable in assisting with direction in the four year plan of work as well has being instrumental in program development and the relationship with the Community Assessment Report from 2019. With the support from all Campbell County Extension councils, in particular County District Board, this information will highlight opportunities on how Extension District Board can financial support local markets to allow for better access to goods to communities throughout the county.

In addition to working primarily with horticulture, he also worked alongside with Don Sorrell, Ag Agent and agriculture summer intern Misty Mederios. He observed and helped set a seeder for a research sudangrass plot. He and Misty also went to the Care Mission for a few days to give a program to youth and families about vegetable gardening. Their they gave snap-ed incentives items along with recipes. They also gave away vegetable transplants and learned how to care for them so that they could then harvest the fruit to in cooperate into a new KY Proud recipe. Conner also enjoyed shadowing Don on a few farm visits looking at livestock and forage operations throughout the county.  He also spent a few days at 4-H camp helping with programs and providing leadership to the youth.

As his mentor and horticulture agent, Conner was self-driven, self-motivated, creative, and a team player. His passion and energy fit well into the Extension mission and values. His eagerness to learn and engage, allowed me to continue my personal projects and programs without having to micromanage him from task to task. In the future, I would consider hosting another intern to assist with a project.