Students completing internships at The Kentucky Castle have finished harvesting the garden and have planted kale, spinach, and peas in a high tunnel. In the greenhouse, students have cut lavender, grown microgreens, and raised hydroponic lettuce. During the Spring semester, students will take a project-based learning approach to expanding the garden work space. The students will determine the project focus which could include building a small shelter for the pygmy goats or adding a kitchen to the garden. See the below photos.

In addition to The Kentucky Castle, we currently have students placed at the following sites:

• Bi-Water Farm and Greenhouse
• Castleton Lyons
• Chevy Chase Veterinary Hospital
• Dotson Brothers Farms
• Edythe J. Hayes Middle School
• Food Chain
• Kentucky Equine Education Program
• Lexington Humane Society
• McPeek Racing
• Mereworth Farm
• New Vocations
• Pemberton Farms
• PetVet365
• Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital
• Todd Clark Farms

Thank you to these valuable community partners! If you would like to serve as a Work-Based Learning site for our students next school year, please contact Community Partnerships Liaison Mrs. Nicki Jones.

Students in Small Power and Equipment (Level 1) have learned to tear down engines, while students in Agriculture Power and Machinery Operation (Level 2) have learned about the fuel systems on diesel engines and how to bleed them. Students in Agriculture Construction Skills and Agriculture Structures and Designs (Level 3) have finished wiring light boards and testing them for efficacy and have started rebuilding a smoker and designing plans on how to safely open the lid without the risk of burns. Students in the dual credit course for this Institute have operated a skid steer to install gravel for a wash pad and an area to park equipment. Students have helped put out round bales of hay for the cows and horses to manage the farm, as well. During the Spring semester, students will begin restoring a Ford 1600 tractor and repair a small John Deere tractor in the lab.

Interested in partnering with the Agricultural Engineering Institute by hosting an experiential learning trip, mentoring students, or serving as a guest speaker? Please contact Agriculture Instructor Mr. Brian Craig.

Students who completed the first semester of Equine Science (Level 1) now know the terms to describe horses, how to stay safe, how to groom, and can identify the major parts of a horse. Students will begin cleaning stalls and maintaining the Equine Arena/Barn during Spring semester. Students who completed the first semester of Agribusiness and Farm Management (Level 2) have learned how to manage a barn with employees, identified their personality strengths, and have mastered how to track inventory and calculate a profit through Google Sheets. Students will learn about equine reproduction, including foaling, during Spring semester. Students who completed the first semester of Agriculture Sales and Marketing (Level 3) learned about lameness, farriers, and equine health. Students quickly gained a new appreciation for the physical and mental demands farriers experience when packing hooves. See the below photos.

Interested in partnering with the Agribusiness - Equine Studies Program by hosting an experiential learning trip, mentoring students, or serving as a guest speaker? Please contact Agriculture Instructor Mrs. Fallon Jackson.

Students in Food Science and Technology have developed knowledge of yeast and the fermentation process by making sourdough starters. Students first made pancakes then will move on to sourdough bread. Students in Food Processing, Distribution, and Marketing will cure beef jerky for sale soon!

Interested in partnering with the Food Science and Processing Program by hosting an experiential learning trip, mentoring students, or serving as a guest speaker? Please contact Agriculture Instructor Mr. Doug Ashcraft.

Students in Veterinary Science (Level 1) learned skills to work in a veterinary facility, including sanitation, hazardous waste disposal, animal behavior, leash walking, restraints and muzzling, and taking and recording vital signs. Soon students will learn about radiology, grooming, and euthanasia, including grief responses, then students will learn nursing skills. Students in Small Animal Technology (Level 2) learned how to manage the business side of a veterinary clinic, including tracking medical records, taking client histories, inventorying materials, and using an online billing system. Students learned the elements of pharmacology and how to create professional websites, etc., for businesses, too. Students also learned the American Kennel Club's registered dog breeds. During second semester, students will practice surgical skills and memorize medical terminology, and they will continue to learn dog breeds. Students in Animal Technology (Level 3) learned about the respiratory and circulatory systems of small and large animals. During second semester, students will practice clinical skills including urinalysis. Students in dual credit will begin their work online for Murray State University. See the below photos.

Interested in partnering with the Pre-Veterinary Studies Program by hosting an experiential learning trip, mentoring students, or serving as a guest speaker? Please contact Agriculture Instructors Mrs. Latissa Higgins or Mrs. Kathleen Magsam.

Students in Environmental Science and Technology, Aquaculture, and Forestry have experienced guest speakers from Bluegrass Greensource and Eastern Kentucky University. Students have composted using a vermiculture system with over 1,000 red wiggler worms. Students have assessed game and wildlife diversity on campus and conducted a creek analysis. Soon a specialist from Kentucky State University will assist in preparing the 500-gallon tanks in the aquaculture lab to become ready to raise and harvest fish. See the below photos. During the Spring semester, students will work with personnel from Geomancer Permaculture to establish a rain garden on campus.

Interested in partnering with the Environmental Science and Natural Resources Institute by hosting an experiential learning trip, mentoring students, or serving as a guest speaker? Please contact Agriculture Instructor Mrs. Ally Thompson.

Students in Floriculture and Floral Design made wreaths for their final project. In the Spring semester, students will begin offering an arrangement of the month, so watch for the order form! Students in Introduction to Greenhouse and Crop Production and Greenhouse Technology have created a supply order to prepare for the Spring sale. They will begin sowing and transplanting during the Spring semester. Students in Nursery and Orchard have researched blackberry and blueberry production to begin planting in the Spring. They hopefully will harvest strawberries in the Spring, as well, since they covered them in preparation for winter. See the below photos of garden and greenhouse work.

Interested in partnering with the Plant Science Institute by hosting an experiential learning trip, mentoring students, or serving as a guest speaker? Please contact Agriculture Instructor Mr. Daniel Bustle.

In AgriScience, students have begun their research projects by completing the background research. Students will launch their experiments during Spring semester. Interested in serving as a mentor for students' research projects? Contact Agriculture Instructor Ms. Graciela Barajas.

In Agriculture Employability Skills, students have conducted mock job interviews, created cover letters and resumes, and practiced budgeting skills. These students will transition to Agriculture Communications for the Spring semester and explore written, verbal, visual, and non-verbal communication methods.

In Principles of Agricultural Science and Technology, students have learned about FFA, including important dates and the creed, and Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs). Students also received an introduction to both Plant Science and Environmental Science and Natural Resources. During the Spring semester, students will begin recordkeeping for their SAEs using the FFA-required online program, AET. Students also will receive an introduction to Agricultural Engineering.

Congratulations to the Agricultural Power/Mechanics Bowl Team for placing 2nd out of 12 teams! The team included Dante Codispoti, Alexis Goldie, Caden Harris, and Emma Harvey. Dante won the highest score overall for the contest!

Congratulations to the Floral Design Teams for placing 1st and 2nd out of 13 teams! The 1st place team included Addison Hillard, Katie Knowlin, and Samantha Kroggel. The 2nd place team included Rosie Lindergren, Chloe Miller, and Karen Torres. Addison won the highest score overall for the contest, Samantha won 2nd, Rosie won 3rd, and Karen won 4th!

Congratulations to Jaydyn Hunting for placing 3rd in the Equine Bowl!

Congratulations to Molly Lewis for placing 3rd in the Employablility Skills Contest!

Congratulations to Kat Watson for placing 4th in the Beef Bowl!

See the below photo.

Students submitted essays to the Fayette County Conservation District Jim Claypool Soil Conservation Contest. Congratulations to Caroline Groth for receiving a $1,000 scholarship!

Jr. MANRRS members attended the University of Kentucky's Jr. MANRRS Leadership Institute. Congratulations to Julian Palomeque-Lopez for placing 3rd in the Prepared Public Speaking Contest!

Congratulations to Caroline Groth for winning runner-up in the state Outstanding Youth Contest for Kentucky Farm Bureau! She also won Most Congenial, as awarded by her peers in the contest. See the below photo.