NYC was okay by me

What a CRAZY past couple of weeks!  As the school year creeps closer and closer to ending, I feel like I am getting busier and busier. Within the past few weeks I have taken two amazing trips out of town!

 As a member of the UK women’s club volleyball team, we took a trip to Kansas City, Missouri for our final national tournament.  We had a blast playing against schools from all over the country, and when we weren’t playing we got a chance to enjoy what the city had to offer. By joining a club team, I have met so many great friends, and become more involved.  I can’t wait for our season to start up again in the fall!

My classmate Charlie & I eating cannolis in Little Italy.

I also just got back from my class trip to New York City.  As landscape architecture students, our studio class takes an educational, five-day, trip to a different location each spring.  This year our class voted on going to New York.  Although New York left my bank account near empty, it was an awesome experience. I have never been to NYC before, so I was astounded to see how extraordinary it truly was. While we were there, we studied things that pertain to our major like parks, plaza spaces, markets, urban agriculture and the way people navigate through different public spaces.  We got to see places that we have talked about in class before, such as Paley Park, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Madison Square Garden, and Battery Park City. Of all the places our class went, I would have to say that Central Park was my favorite.  It was amazing to see the scale of such an amazing park and how it accommodates so many people and so many different activities. While we were in New York we even got to tour two landscape architecture firms and view some of their work! It was a trip of a lifetime, to say the least. 

If you’re headed to the "Big Apple" soon, have a slice of pizza for me at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria in Brooklyn!

Hillary is a junior at the University of Kentucky, majoring in Landscape Architecture.  She is from Cincinnati, Ohio.  Hillary is a member of the UK Club Volleyball Team and is a COA Agricultural Ambassador.   

Spring is in full bloom for the Cats

The students at UK always anticipate the Spring Semester. It is filled with midterm exams, spring break and of course the “Madness of March!” As we all know, we achieved the infamous “number 8” as the Men’s NCAA National Champions. But with all of these exciting events, the College of Ag students are definitely not passing up a chance to keep busy by planning many exciting events for the spring.  So nonetheless, these Ag Cats are staying crazy.

Last week, our Ag Student Council hosted Ag Bash and it was an awesome event! Ag Bash is fun, exciting and a great way to wind down the semester before finals. Live music was performed by Hannah Ellis and there were games, free food and t-shirts. Hannah Ellis is a current student at UK; she graduated from Taylor County High School and is a fantastic singer who has toured and performed at all types of venues.  We had around 250 of our students come out and enjoy the weather and games. During the Ag Bash, we collected donations for the Ronald McDonald House. Items included shampoo, conditioner, soap, mouthwash, dental floss and other personal items.

This week, we are planning a large event on the main UK campus called Agriculture Awareness Day.  The event will be held this Wednesday, April 18 from 9 AM to 2 PM.  Ag Awareness Day will be located in the area around Memorial Hall and one of our College buildings, Erikson Hall.  Booths and displays will be set up and our main goal in the day is to educate the University community about the ag industry and the true impact it has on their day, share the positive message and encourage self- education of agriculture to everyone at UK and beyond. Numerous clubs will have booths set up around the area with different activities and information about agriculture and even the history on UK. What better way to become involved on campus then to come visit the Ag Awareness Day! There will be food, interesting facts, t-shirts and much more.

The spring semester always flies by way too fast. With Spring Break, exams and, of course, cheering on the Cats, this semester will be over before we know it.  If you ever have any questions about an event or the College of Agriculture, please check us out online at www.ca.uky.edu, or even like us on Facebook. I hope to see you at Ag Awareness Day this week!

Amanda is a junior at the University of Kentucky, majoring in Agricultural Economics.  She is from Georgetown, Kentucky.  Amanda is a member of UK Agribusiness Club, UK Ag Student Council, is a COA Agricultural Ambassador, Past Kentucky FFA State Officer, and is an intern for the Kentucky Beef Council. 

The best decision of my life

While many college students were headed south to the beaches for Spring break, I was heading south for a different reason. Over spring break, I headed to the University of Arkansas to visit their graduate program. During my visit I was presented with the question of why I was interested in graduate school and why at Arkansas. Seemingly this should be a simple answer, but I found myself questioning how I had ended up in Fayetteville.  

To answer this question I had to first decide how I ended up at the University of Kentucky in Lexington for my undergraduate studies. This was a little easier to answer, as hindsight is usually 20/20. After high school I knew I wanted to attend college and to study animal science, with a goal of becoming a veterinarian. This goal changed, not due to struggles with organic chemistry, but changed over time with the many alternative options that were presented to me while attending UK.

I chose the University of Kentucky over several other schools for several different reasons. The first being the larger scholarship opportunities, which was an important part of my decision as my family could offer little monetary support. The second most instrumental characteristic of UK that led me to choose it was the appeal of the large university opportunities with the small family atmosphere in the College of Agriculture.

As my fourth year at the University of Kentucky comes to a close I have come to realize what I have managed to accomplish with the help of the faculty and staff at the University of Kentucky. In four years, I will have traveled to 13 states, 2 foreign countries, and completed an undergraduate research project. The professors inspired me, helped me, and guided me through what I will remember as the best time of my life.

It was these opportunities and guiding efforts that led me twelve hours away to Arkansas where I will be studying to earn a Masters of Science in Agricultural Economics.  So how did I end up in Fayetteville, Arkansas? I am there because of the education and experiences I gained while attending the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture.  In less than one month, I will be graduating. I will sit with my peers and friends of four years as we accomplish one more milestone. Regardless of the struggles or successes we have experienced, my four years spent at the University of Kentucky has been one of the best decision of my life. 

- Hannah S.

 Hannah is a senior at the University of Kentucky, double majoring in Agricultural Economics & Animal Sciences.  She is from Winchester, Kentucky.  Hannah will be beginning her graduate school career in August.  She is a member of UK Block & Bridle, a past member of the UK Livestock Judging Team, and is a COA Agricultural Ambassador.  

My UK Traditions

There are many exciting times throughout the year for students at the University of Kentucky.  None have been more exciting than the last few weeks when both our men's and women's teams made a run in the NCAA, with our men’s basketball team winning the national title.  However, as UK students recover from the  triumphant basketball season, another UK tradition is already here…Keeneland!

 

When I first came to UK, I had no clue what Keeneland was.  I quickly found out through interactions with upperclassmen that Keeneland was a 75 year-old thoroughbred racetrack located a few miles from campus.  Upon my first visit to the track, I fell in love.  There were students everywhere.  Everyone was dressed in their Sunday best, which was a nice change from the shorts, sweatpants, and t-shirts I was accustomed to wearing/seeing in my classes.  It was a beautiful day in the bluegrass and made for a nice break from campus life.

Keeneland stands are ready for opening day on April 6th.

As I’ve become more acquainted with Keeneland festivities, I’ve made a lot of memories with a lot of great friends.  A few highlights from my Keeneland experiences include:  attending College Scholarship Day (students get in free and can register for 10 $1000 scholarships that are given away!), seeing many of my favorite UK athletes, and winning $50 on a $2 bet!

As the first day of races begins tomorrow, you can bet that tons of students will be in attendance to enjoy the scenery and pageantry that come with a day at Keeneland.  Keeneland is open for live racing during October in April each year.   More information can be found at www.keeneland.com.  Hope to see you at the races!

 Cody is a junior at the University of Kentucky, majoring in Community & Leadership Development and Agricultural Economics.  He is from Greenville, Kentucky.  This summer, Cody will be an intern with the Cooperative Extension Service in Muhlenberg County.  He is President of the Agriculture Student Council and is a COA Agricultural Ambassador.