A Big Blue Year in Review: 2013 Edition

[Author's Note: To put yourself in a proper frame for reading, please turn on your favorite holiday music, sit by a fire (or candle), pour yourself some coffee, hot cider, or hot chocolate, and enjoy.]

2013 has certainly been a great year for the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment!  We have so much to be reflective on in this season of togetherness and celebration of love.  Below are some reasons that 2013 has been such a banner year for us all.  This is no way serves as an official list, but one of reflection and promise as we look toward a bright 2014. Check out the University's holiday greeting and then come back to check out the rest of the blog........

What's In a Name?
This year brought on a name change for our College. Our new name has stirred emotions of alumni, students and others, bringing on much discussion.  The new name, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment truly does encapsulate who we are and what we do by today's standards.  For those in the industry, agriculture is such an implied word.  But what about for generations removed from the farm? The addition of "...,Food and Environment" helps focus on some of the pressing challenges for the industry in the future and helps with public education on some of the issues we are working so hard to research, educate and extend ourselves into Kentucky's communities.  The name change allows the general public to better understand who we are: The landgrant College focusing on contributions and innovations in animal sciences and animal health; in crop, plant and food production; in the health and well-being of Kentuckians through nutrition, family development and activity; in food production, development and food security; in environmental stewardship through design, alternative fuel approaches, woodland and natural resource management; and in personal development through leadership, economic and humanitarian measures.

In short, the new name allows us to prepare for the challenges of 2014 and beyond.  We are poised to better tell our story and continue making a difference in the lives of Kentucky and beyond.





Our Students
Our student body currently sits at its largest in UK history.  The University is now nearly 30,000 Wildcat strong.  The many accomplishments of our students through awards in undergraduate research, leadership roles taken throughout campus and nationwide in organizations, and the high academic caliber of our student body make this a big pride point among our Big Blue Nation faithful.  As a top ten research college of agriculture, we hold high esteem for the accomplishments of our students- in and outside the classroom.

Our college's largest undergraduate and freshman classes have came the past two years.  As over 400 freshman and transfer students have entered our door, our undergraduate student enrollment is at 2699 students, and with adding graduate students, we sit at just shy of 3200 total students. The scholastic achievements of our students make them our college's most academically talented group in our history.  This year's mid-fifty percantile for our incoming class was a 22-27 ACT and a 3.3-3.9 high school GPA.  One of our incoming freshman, Megan Harper, of Calloway County, was named a Belles of the American Royal and Agriculture Future of America Scholar.  Others received many top scholarships from around the University and around the country.

Our students continue to impress through academic research, like Devin Henry through the agricultural biotechnology program, Amanda Pesquira who received the Alltech Young Scientist Award, or landscape architect students, Jared Kailen, Justin Menke, and Thomas Wortman, who received Oswald Awards for research and creativity.

Our UKAg students hold leadership positions across the ranks of campus as well.  DanceBlue is a student-ran philanthropy on campus and involves many of our students.  This year's overall student chair is Claci Ayers, an agricultural biotechnology student and UK's current Homecoming Queen.  Many of our other students, including Christa Childers, a dietetics student, who serves on the Family Relations Committee, and Alex Bugg and Kaitlin Klair, serving as team captains of the CAFE Cow Tippers DanceBlue Team, a group consisting of students from across the College. DanceBlue is one of my favorite things our students do each year and it truly brings our campus together.  If you have never been, try and check it out February 22-23, 2014. The video includes last year's reveal and the group dance number at the end, and is sure to inspire you and get your toe-tapping.

Our faculty and staff
We are widely known for our committed faculty and staff that serve the College in so many ways.

We began 2013 with two of our professors, Dr. Roberta Dwyer and Dr. John Grove, being named Outstanding Teachers at the University.  We will begin 2014 by having another recipient, Dr. Mark Coyne, receiving the same distinction.

On a national front, Dr. Bill Silvia, Animal Sciences, was recognized as a Regional National Teacher by the USDA and APLU. Also from Animal Sciences,  Dr. Debra Aaron received the Distinguished Service Award from the Southern Section of the American Society of Animal Science.

Dr. Kelly Webber, Dietetics and Human Nutrition, received a NIH grant for work on weight loss.  The year's Patricia Brantley Todd Award Recepients were recently named from our School of Human Environmental Sciences, including Jason Hans, Family Science,  for the teaching award.

Some of our student programming won awards at the annual NAADA Conference, including programs for National Ag Awareness Day and Ag Bash.

Leadership
Finally, we want to thank and acknowledge the leadership and administration of Dr. Scott Smith.  Dr. Smith leaves our College where he has been Dean since 2001.  We appreciate his work and commitment to the Commonwealth and wish him the best, although he's not going very far and will be teaching some sections of GEN 100 for our students.

We also want to welcome Dr.Nancy Cox into the role of Dean effective January 1, 2014.  We know that she will be a visionary dean and lead UK Ag to even greater heights.

In Summary......
It's been a great year to be a Wildcat, and hope that some of you who may be prospective Wildcats or parents of a soon-to-be-Wildcat see the many proud accomplishments for our College this year, in years prior and in years to come.  How will you prospective Wildcats engage your potential here at UK and make your mark?  We look back on an exciting year for our College, and look forward to the greatness that 2014 will bring for our UK Ag Family.  

Remember that our Incoming Freshmen Scholarships are due January 15, 2014!

Happy Holidays!!

- Jason H.

Jason Headrick is the Director of Student Relations for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.  He is a 2002 graduate of UK with a B.S. in agricultural communications and is set to complete his MA in May 2014.  He serves on the board for the National Agricultural Alumni and Development Association.  He also is on the board for the Fayette County UK Alumni Club.  

Be Bold. Be Beautiful.Be Empowered.

In becoming a College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Ambassador, I did not know what to expect nor did I understand what I was in to at the time. All I knew was that I was applying for something great and maybe I would be selected.

When I received the phone call that I,Kenya ,had been selected to be apart of the 2013-2014-ambassador team I could not believe it. Not because I was unsure of myself but because I had accomplished something great. I challenged myself and conquered, I put myself out there and achieved.

Now that I am an ambassador, my experience has been great nonetheless. I am surrounded by great people each time we get together; people that I would not know or hold a conversation with if it was not for being an ambassador. Not because I would not want to but because the opportunity would not be there. I am also placed in positions that challenge my nerves and the fear of speaking in front of people on demand. I now understand that I can speak publicly in a group or in a crowd and there is nothing to be afraid of. I am geared with the knowledge of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment that I would not have had if it were not for this experience. As I continue to go through my college career, I would not trade being an ambassador for anything, as it is helping to empower me to do great things and inspiring me to help others challenge themselves.

Representing this fine college in all that it is and all that is shall be has been nothing but an honor and privilege.

I want to wish the best of luck to all of my fellow Wildcat classmates as they have finals next week. 

Be Bold. Be Beautiful. Be Empowered.

You will do fine!

 Kenya is a Family Science junior from Louisville, Kentucky.

Growing Trees Is Like Growing Gold

The Eastern Kentucky Coal Fields of the Cumberland Plateau

The eastern Kentucky Coal Fields of the Cumberland Plateau is a distinctly unique physiographic region of Kentucky with a rich cultural heritage.   Eastern Kentucky is especially known for its verdant mountainous terrain, diverse and beautiful hardwood forests, turbulent history, and its proud and fiercely independent inhabitants. I grew up in the gently rolling foothills of the Cumberland Plateau in Laurel County Kentucky where I have descended from generations of farmers, woodsmen and mountain folk who knew how to live off the land. My heritage and upbringing has defined me as a person and has established my destiny—I’ve been called a farm girl and I’ve been called a tree nerd and my response is always a smile of delight and a beam of pride!

 Growing up on a small sheep and goat farm, I understood from an early age why my family was heavily invested in growing vegetables, fruit trees, honey, and livestock. The forests on my family’s hill farm were a source of profit for us as we cut firewood, gathered nut crops, hunted squirrels, and harvested saw logs for lumber.  As I grew older, I realized the importance of agriculture in sustaining human populations across the United States and the globe.  But it wasn’t until I began my studies in Forestry at the University of Kentucky (UK) that I fully understood the importance of forests in an agricultural context.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture houses a multitude of agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service.  In the same way, the UK’s College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment (CAFE) is

 far-reaching in its diversity of academic departments and programs.  The CAFE’s Department of Forestry has enabled me to appreciate the practice of forestry as a farming enterprise.               

UK Forestry students planting native hardwood seedlings on a surface mine in Pike Co., KY

Trees are a crop just like corn or tobacco. The differences between trees and row crops are obvious. A crop of soy beans will take one year to mature, whereas in southern pine plantations, foresters may harvest their stands anywhere between age 15 and 35 years depending on what the wood will be used for (i.e., saw timber, biomass, pulpwood, etc.).  High value hardwoods like oak, hickory, walnut, and black cherry require a longer time for the trees to fully mature and be ready for harvest (80+ years).  Perhaps the most significant aspect of forests as an agricultural resource is their capacity to provide a suite of ecological services while growing wood products for human use.  No one can dispute the value of forests for their ability to clean the air and water, provide wildlife habitat and recreation, and protect the soil from erosion, as well as provide valuable wood products, fuel, and wood    fiber – growing trees is like growing gold!

                During my studies in the UK Forestry program, I learned that planting trees and restoring the ecological services of the original forests on drastically disturbed sites is a better reclamation strategy than establishing an herbaceous cover of grasses and legumes.  I learned that foresters, reclamation practitioners, and soil scientists are planting trees on barren, unproductive surface mined land in my eastern Kentucky homeland.  Green Forests Work (GFW) is a non-profit organization that was founded in the UK Department of Forestry in 2009.  GFW is dedicated to restoring healthy, productive forests on surface mined land initially reclaimed as unproductive grasslands.  Their mission extends throughout the entire Appalachian coal fields, which spans across eight states- from Pennsylvania to Alabama.

                  Forests are a renewable resource. By reestablishing forests where we have barren land, the economic opportunities provided by GFW will not only provide for the Appalachian people today but will put those lands on a path that will ensure that a forest is available for use by future Appalachian citizens.  Support for GFW is growing and I am optimistic that in time a skilled green workforce can be developed to restore, protect, and manage this natural resource that is so vital to the region’s current and future prosperity. Native trees that are being planted on these surface mines will grow into functioning forests, providing humans with key ecological services and economically valuable wood products for generations to come.  For more information on GFW see www.greenforestswork.org.

Hannah is a senior forestry major from London, Kentucky.  

The Student List: The Top 4 Classes at UK

As a fifth year senior in a five-year program, I have nearly 150 credit hours under my belt here at the University of Kentucky. Believe me when I say that, like the Clint Eastwood movie, I have seen "the good, the bad and the ugly" of a lot of different classes. Sometimes as students we want a little heads up on what the “fun” classes are, and we don’t always know what’s out there for us to take. What I would like to share with you are some of my favorite class experiences. I have put together a list of 4 of my all time favorite courses that are available to everyone to take (no prerequisites needed).  I hope that you read the following course list and consider these options as you create your future schedules:

4.Introduction to Floral Design (PLS 240)

Why it made the list: Anyone who has a creative side, wants to learn more about plants, likes event planning, or simply has a passion for floral arrangements should take this course. It is a great class to take amidst my busy senior schedule. This course allows me to relax a little and focus on my creativity.  In this course, my professor, Sharon Bale, discusses the key elements to creating boutonnieres, corsages, bouquets, and table arrangements. Don’t worry gentlemen, the class is composed of roughly 30% guys, so don’t be afraid to sign up! Want to know the best part of the class? You get to keep just about everything you make! I don’t know about you, but I’ve had fresh cut flowers in my kitchen all semester. This course has rightfully earned a number 4 spot in my countdown of favorite classes

 

3.  Any International Study Abroad Program (ISP 599)

Why it made the list:  Alright, so I know that this isn’t a specific course, but hear me out! I attended my first study abroad trip this summer through the landscape architecture department and had an absolute blast. Not only did I get to eat delish food, walk the streets of three different countries, and experience South American culture, but I got to do it as school credit! What better way to learn than getting out of the classroom and exploring the world?  

2. Living on the Right Side of the Brain (LA 111)

Why it made the list: I took this course in the spring of 2011, and have never wanted to take a class twice more in my school career. This course helps students tap into their creative side and put it to good use. You don’t have to be naturally creative to take this class; all you need is a willingness to try. Ryan Hargrove, the professor of this course, does an excellent job of getting everyone involved and harnessing the creativity and imagination of every individual class member. This course includes things like keeping a creativity journal, watching inspirational videos, group discussions, and providing feedback on a class blog.

Warning: This class will require you to think outside the box and be open with your inventive ideas.

1. Wine Appreciation (GEN 300) 

Why it made the list: For many reasons this has become my favorite class at the University of Kentucky. Now, I know most of you are thinking I like the course because I get to drink wine for a grade. Although that is enjoyable, it is far from the truth. Let me take you back a couple years. As a third year landscape architect student we were required to create a mock winery on an existing plot of land. We did our research by visiting neighboring wineries, and learning about vineyards through guest speakers. We were required to determine the type of soil, climate, slope and other key elements that were conducive to the growth of grape vines. That’s where my interest in vineyards and wine production began. When an email came saying that this class would be available for the first time ever this fall, I seized the opportunity to further my interest.

            In this course taught by professor Michael Barrett, we learn all about wine, from grapes growing on the vines, to the time it is bought and drank by the consumer. Half of the class is a lecture based. This is where we learn about the different types of wines, where they are grown, wine production, and overall characteristics of different grape varieties. The second half is a wine tasting, followed by a discussion of the things we had previously read and learned about in the lecture portion. Honestly, No class has made me want to read the required text book more than this class, making it my favorite class at the University of Kentucky.

Side Note: You must be 21 or older to take this class.

Well there it is folks, 4 of my favorite classes at UK. I hope that in your future you are lucky enough to get into these amazing classes!

Hillary is from Cincinnati, Ohio and is a Landscape Architecture senior.

She Goes Out Walking....

Note: While the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment does think it's a good idea to clear your head and walk around campus and Lexington, make sure you are following these safety tips as presented by the UK Police Department.

Recently, I have taken a few walks around campus in the middle of the night. A contrast from the usual shuffle, energy, and sunshine, it is peaceful and quiet. On my walk, I reflected on some of the opportunities I have at UK. 

At UK there are thousands of organizations to get involved in. You can learn a martial art, a new language, get fit, or watch movies. There are so many people here that you will find people that share your passions, dreams, and truths. You’ll be busy balancing work, classes, a social life, your health, your family, and sanity. Let’s focus on that last one.

At college, it is incredibly easy to get overwhelmed. Personally, I want to experience everything so I always say “yes”. There are endless opportunities in college and the most important part is that you have enough time to enjoy them. What is the point of doing everything if you’re rushing between events and meetings and are constantly thinking about the next thing you have to do. Live in the moment. Sometimes it is better to be more deeply involved a few organizations so that you can be a part of the leadership and gain skills that future employers are looking for. A lot of people can show up to meetings and manage their time to make sure they can get from one commitment to another, but being able to organize a group of people and have them work together towards a common goal is an accomplishment. And when the teams that you dedicated so much time to finally succeed, you have to be in the moment to enjoy the accomplishment.

Knowing the resources on campus will also help you stay sane. There’s free tutoring for all students and a great variety of centers that can help with everything from getting involved with community service to helping students who have sprained their ankle and have a “roller” so they have to figure a new way around campus. Another often overlooked resource on campus is the professors. Whether you’ll want to get involved with research or need some help with class, professors are always available. They have office hours at which you can reach them and a majority of them are willing to help students who need further guidance or review of the materials.

In order to stay sane, I also encourage you to take an occasional walk at night. Not only is it beautiful, it is an escape of the fast paced, demanding world that continuously surrounds us. Our brains need time to wander and it is actually proven that people who regularly take short walks in nature, such as parks or the UK arboretum, are actually more mindful that others. So taking time out of your day to not think about anything specific can help you focus more in the future. Make sure you think about what you want to get involved in once you get to college- just make sure to include seeing campus from a different perspective. 

Daniella is a sophomore studying Agricultural Economics.  She is from Washington Court House, Ohio.  

The Importance of Future Agriculturalists

I was born on a family farm in a small community named Stanley, Kentucky.  It has been a blessing from God.  For, I believe that family farming is much more than just acres of pliable soil; it is a tradition.  To me, a family farm is like an age-old tree. Alive for many centuries, a tree will bear many fruits and it will pass those fruits on until some grow and become another tree. It is the same with family farming. Family farming continues throughout the generations and is passed on to new ones. Just as the tree holds all of the generations of the family in its roots in the land after the death in the family, the family name too will live on forever in the soil of its crops. 

It has become a recent concern of many agriculturalists all across the nation that the future of family farming is in a troubled state. It has always been a rising concern. This metaphor is a good reason why I believe family-farming operations are an essential part of the tomorrow of agriculture.  I am aware of the average age of the current U.S. farmer, which is 55, and do know that this number is not good for the future of agriculture, but I also realize that there are many strong farming operations out there today, with my family’s being one of them.

 I look around my own community and see family farming operations of 5000 acres or more and watch them continue to grow each year.  Farmers do not only drive a tractor to plant and harvest a bountiful crop to feed millions in the world. They also farm because it is a love they have, and that love is spread throughout future generations of the family.  In the 1800’s, children were expected to carry on the family farm in hopes to be as successful as their parents, and I believe this practice still happens in this day and age.  As it is quite evident, traditions and practices are different than those of the 1800’s.  College is a common course of action today and therefore many more careers are available to the public, which eventually led to the decrease of family farming operations.  Although there are many more career paths to be chosen from, there are many young adults, along with myself, choosing a career path in agriculture.

The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) has over 2500 students working towards making the tomorrow of agriculture more efficient.  The University of Kentucky ‘s land grant institution gives College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment students many opportunities, such as hands on experience on university research farms, research labs, and a high quality education that is incomparable to any other.  It is important to have land grant institutions such as the University of Kentucky across the nation, because without the prestigious research and education conducted by these schools, agriculture would not continue to strive and improve like it continues to do so today.

Agriculture is a key part of everyone’s day-to-day life. No person can live without the essentials that agriculture provides. With UK students contributing to the production of these essentials, agriculture can continue to flourish.  The UK CAFE recognizes that the average age of the American farmer continues to increase, therefore they are making strides to ensure this trend does not continue. As agriculture becomes more necessary, due to the increasing demands because of rising populations, the University of Kentucky is developing research and education to ensure that there are always future agriculturalists to continue America’s finest tradition and necessity.

In conclusion, from only being at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment for a little over a year, I have already come to realize how influential my agriculture education will be when I have a career in the agricultural industry and carry on my own family farm. With that being said, I could not be happier with the decision I made two years ago to come to the University of Kentucky. I would not be the person I am today without the education I have received and the people that I have met. I know myself, along with many others at the University of Kentucky, are working to become future agriculturalists in order to make the tomorrow of agriculture the best it has ever been. 


Lauren is a sophomore from Owensboro, Kentucky.  She is a Horticulture, Plant & Soil Science major, specializing in Agronomy.

Where can Landscape Architecture take you?

Argentine Asado in Cordoba: Blood Sausage,

 Brains, Kidney, Intestines, and Chorizo

Landscape Architecture is defined as the partnership of disciplines including design thinking, fine arts, architecture, and other design oriented themes for the creation of projects ranging from public parks and parkways to academic campuses or urban city master plans.

Many of us are unaware of this intriguing profession, one that can take you around the world and back, maybe even the moon one day. The University of Kentucky Landscape Architecture Department has done just that; they are now requiring their students to study abroad at least once while in the five-year program. 

Fitz Roy Spires in Patagonia,

 with Katelyn Nixon.

This past summer eight students including myself traveled to South America for two-weeks and some stayed for an additional two-weeks!  This was an experience of a lifetime and would not have been possible without Landscape Architecture.  While on this trip I caught a wicked awesome bug and it has yet to leave, it’s the travel bug!

Our journey began in the capital city of Chile, Santiago, then continued west across the Andes Mountains and into Argentina.  In Argentina we visited several cities Mendoza, which has some tasty wine, Cordoba, Rosario, and Buenos Aires, the capital. I wish I could show you every picture from the trip however it may take several weeks and that would only cover the first half of my trip, the second half of my trip was not school related but was equally as epic.  The picture above is one of the more memorable meals on the trip, it consisted of almost all parts of a cow and it was delicious!

I spent the last two-weeks of my journey in Patagonia where I was able to complete a dream of mine which is represented in the picture above.

Charlie is a senior in Landscape Architecture.  He is from Bowling Green, Kentucky.  

So I went to the Career Fair…Now What?

Earlier in the semester, the College of Agriculture, Food & Environment hosted over twenty agricultural companies at our annual Career Fair.  Students labored over their preparations for the Career Fair: we searched for the perfect professional outfit, brushed up our resumes with a fine toothed comb, and practiced our handshakes- all for the sake of securing an interview for a job or internship.  Now that the Career Fair is over, we’re done, right?

WRONG!  We are done with the hard part- making a good first impression with the recruiters.  Now, however, we have the opportunity to not only remind our potential employers of our names and credentials, but we also have the opportunity to impress them with our follow-up etiquette. 

What exactly is follow-up etiquette?  It is the simple steps we can take to ensure the connections we made at the Career Fair are solidified.  The day or so after the Career Fair, be sure to contact the employers to whom you spoke.  Sending a quick, simple e-mail thanking them for taking their time to come to the Career Fair and reminding them that you are interested in their company can help you to stand out above all the other people they met at the Career Fair.  If you spoke with them about something unusual, such as sports during your initial introduction or connection, mention it in your e-mail.  You want the employers to read it and think, “Oh, right, I remember this person…” 

Countless interviews, internships, and jobs have been won at Career Fairs, and the Career Fair hosted by the College of Agriculture, Food & Environment this week is no exception.  Who knows?  Maybe it will be YOU who earns one of those coveted positions at the prestigious companies who were on campus - just remember to use your follow-up etiquette and solidify the connections made.  

Looking for help o your internship or job search within the College?  Contact Amanda Saha, the College's new Director of Career Development & Enrichment.  

- Kendall

Kendall is a senior majoring in Agricultural Education.  She is from Georgetown, Kentucky and will be student teaching in the spring.  After graduation, Kendall would like to work in the education sector.

Big Blue Madness is a way of UK life

I camped out for Big Blue Madness. Big Blue Madness is the first public basketball practice for the University of Kentucky’s Men’s and Women’s basketball teams. While a practice like this at many other universities would go unnoticed by people who do not live in or near the college town, big blue madness is a completely different story. People from all over the state and neighboring states come to Lexington to fight for campsites where they camp out (in tent city) for three days in order to receive tickets to this free event.

I am from St. Louis, and while my mom is a UK College of Ag alumni, I had never heard of this event until I came to school here last year and witnessed the madness with my own eyes. The madness I mean is seeing these people fighting one another for spots in tent city at 5 in the morning on Wednesday to camp on the UK campus and sit there for three days. I initially thought to myself that these people were crazy, but as I attended basketball games throughout last year I saw that they weren’t crazy, but that they were loyal. After experiencing the basketball games last year and the amazing recruit team we have this year I knew that I wanted to become one of the “crazy” loyal fans that got tickets to Big Blue Madness. 

With that in mind my friends and I woke up at 3 am that Wednesday to stand in line until 5 am where we dashed across Avenue of Champions to steak our tents before someone else grabbed our spot. We were there all day and only left to go to class; work; back to the apartment to make food, shower, etc. While camping in tent city I was surrounded by other people who had the same passion as I did. We were a small community who all bonded and got along because we all were loyal, and we all cared for the family that makes up Big Blue Nation. These people had a passion for watching Kentucky basketball and for believing in our team and the success they could have this year. These people were willing to miss work, to give up running water, to survive away from their house and live in a tent for the sole purpose of getting tickets to a basketball practice. Living in Mizzou territory I could tell you that many Mizzou fans would never even think of doing this and this fact is one of the few important reasons why I chose the University of Kentucky.

Katlyn is majoring in Agricultural Biotechnology and is from St. Louis, MO.