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.

Been there, showed that

 Every year since I can remember, my family and I have loaded up the truck and trailer and headed out to Louisville, Kentucky for the North American Livestock Exposition. This is one of the greatest weeks for any livestock kid. They get to see all their friends in one place, show their stock that they have worked so hard on, and get a once in a life time experience, as the quality of the animals is the best of the best. It was in 1971 when the idea of having a major livestock show in Kentucky started. This was brought up by the former Kentucky governor Wendell H. Ford and in November 17-23, 1974 the first show started. From this year on the Kentucky Exposition Center has been filled with all different types of livestock in the month of November. In the first show there were beef cattle, sheep, and pigs. Now it has grown to beef cattle, pigs, sheep, llamas, horses, goats, and dairy. There have been some big changes in the last 38 years with the different shows and how the quality of the livestock has changed. 

The UK Livestock Judging Team, from left to right: Shelby Clifford, Kaitlin Klair, Josh Duckworth, Caroline Applegate, & Victoria Hamilton.

 

            Over the past couple of years, making the trip out to Louisville was a normal routine for my family and I. Every November, my mom would send in letters to all of our teachers to get us excused absences since our schools did not have Agriculture programs. We would collect all our homework and head out the next morning. You could barely sleep the night before because you were so excited about the trip. Who wouldn’t be excited about it? You get to miss school, show your animals, and see all your friends! That sounds like a good time to me! Showing livestock is a big thing in my family because my mom and dad use to show when they were young and that is how they met. We look at it as spending time together doing something that we all enjoy. I wish that all families don’t have one activity that they can all do together and enjoy as much as livestock families do. We do get into our fair share of arguments while traveling, but in the end it all seems to work out for the best. 

            This past year was the first time in a while that I was not able to show at North American and I was pretty upset about it. Even so, I had another opportunity that was given to me and that was to be on the University of Kentucky Livestock Judging team. This was something that I thought I would never be a part of and I would have to say it was pretty awesome! During the year we have gone to some pretty amazing place, including Illinois, Kansas City, Pennsylvania, and then final contest at the North American.  Along the way, we stopped at many different producer’s farms and looked at their livestock and talked to them about different things going on in the industries. We also experienced local culture when we traveled through food and shopping! My most memorable moment of this experience would be the van rides. We were in the van for long and short periods of time. Every ride was different from what we talked about or just the things we saw and experienced in the van. We had some of the funniest conversations. This experience was one that I enjoyed and glad that I took. 

I know that I missed one year of showing at the North American, but I gained so much more by getting the experience to judge and travel to all the different places that we did. 

As an Ambassador for the College of Agriculture I encourage everyone to get INVOLVED in school! Judging is an awesome way to travel around to different states and meet new people, but it is also a time commitment and a lot of work. This is only a small comparison to the amount of fun and memories that we have as a team! If you don’t want to get try judging, UK and the College of Agriculture has many different clubs that you are able to get involved in!

 Kailtin is a junior Community & Leadership Development major from Wilmington, Delaware.  She has been involved with the UK Livestock Judging Team, UK Block & Bridle, serves as a UK Ag Ambassador, and was a past Delaware State 4-H Vice-President.  

Get Involved! Find Your Niche!

As a junior in the College of Agriculture, I often think back to advise that was given to me as an incoming freshman. One piece of advice that I heard over and over again was how important it was to get involved on campus. I took that advice to heart and looking back I’m so glad I did. As soon as I started college, I joined, in my opinion, one of the best clubs on campus. I joined Block and Bridle.  

Block and Bridle is an animal science based club in the College of Agriculture. Although it is animal science based, it is open to all majors in the college of agriculture. Block and Bridle members participate in many fun activities throughout the year. Members put on a small version of the North American International Livestock Exposition called Little North American. This is where new members of the club choose a species of animal, such as cattle, sheep, or dairy cattle, that they have never shown before and display their showing abilities. This is always an activity that new and old members look forward to every year.

Another fun activity that members look forward to each year is “feeds week”. Block and Bridle members are responsible for cooking three of the meals during College of Agriculture Roundup. On Thursday and Friday of UK Ag Roundup week, Block and Bridle members are up at 6:30 in the morning to start the grills. Although it’s early we always have a good turnout of members to help cook and serve. Members enjoy hanging out during that time and having a blast. We even had the opportunity this year to serve President Eli Capilouto!

We also help out with the Kentucky Beef Expo held in Louisville every March. Members are given the opportunity to work hand in hand with Kentucky Department of Agriculture employees. It is a great opportunity to build relationships that may turn into future jobs.

As an ambassador for the College of Agriculture I always give students the same advice I was given- GET INVOLVED! There are a ton of clubs and organizations in the college of agriculture so, whether it’s a sorority/fraternity or another club of your interest it’s important to be involved. Students who get involved tend to be happier in school and tend to make better grades.  I have met some of my best friends by joining Block and Bridle. I also feel like I have made many contacts that could help with future jobs and my career. 

Shelby is studying Agricultural Education.  She is from Cynthiana, KY.  She is involved in Block and Bridle and is an Ag Ambassador.