Message from the Dean

Helping our students get a sound footing fromthe time they choose our college until theymove on to careers, is something we work onevery day and in many ways.

In the past four years, the college has awardedmore than $3 million in scholarships to ourstudents. For the 2019-2020 scholarship cycle,CAFE had a 45% increase in the total numberof freshmen awardees. Creating scholarshipopportunities can lessen the financial burdenand stress on students and their families.

Another program that helps with the transitionto college is the Living Learning Program.Under the leadership of Associate DeanCarmen Agouridis and the Center for StudentSuccess, the Living Learning Program has beenrestructured and moved to a new dorm. The

Belle C. Gunn First-Year Program in Woodland Glen IV will begin in fall 2020. Gunn wasthe first woman to graduate with a bachelor’s degree from what is now UK.

Research has shown that freshman in living learning programs have higher grade pointaverages and are more likely to graduate. These students also express a greater senseof belonging–something that is proven to help students complete college. Students inthe program can choose between four tracks based on their interests. They will also be

able to participate in professional development workshops, Lexington outings, socialgatherings and community service projects.

This past year, our first-time freshman enrollment has grown by more than 11% from463 in fall 2018 to 518 in fall 2019 and nearly one in five of our new students are anunderrepresented minority. The number of students transferring into our collegecontinues to increase as well.

We like to say there is something for everyone at CAFE; and we continue to expand oureducational offerings to help students find the career path that best meets their goalsand passions. Most recently, we have added two new undergraduate programs –Sustainable Agriculture and Community Food Systems and Consumer Economics andFamily Finance. We’ve added two online master’s degrees–Entomology and ScienceTranslation and Outreach–as well as a new online undergraduate certificate in Distillation,Wine and Brewing Studies.

Additionally, through the efforts of our academic programs, students gain a variety ofexperiences during their time in CAFE. More than 20% of our undergraduate studentsgraduate with international experience, and this number continues to grow. Studentshave opportunities to engage with employers through the college career fair and othertargeted departmental fairs and meetings. This fall’s Ag Career Fair, led by Amanda Sahain the Center for Student Success, brought over 40 employers together with nearly 300students.

It takes so many people working together every day to ensure that our students’wildest possibilities are attained. We must remember that for our students, so manythings Start with Us.

New Faces in AdministrationNew Faces in Administration

Brian LeeBrian Lee has been named associate dean for facultyresources, planning and assessment for the University ofKentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Lee,a professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture, hasbeen with the college since 2003. Prior to his new position, heserved as director of undergraduate studies for bothLandscape Architecture and Natural Resources andEnvironmental Science programs.

Jamie MacLeodJamie MacLeod has assumed the role of director of UK AgEquine Programs. The John S. and Elizabeth A. Knight Chairwithin the Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, MacLeodpreviously served as UK Ag Equine Programs director from2008-2011.

Mark W illiamsMark W illiams has been named chair of the Department ofHorticulture. Williams began his career at UK in 1999. He isnoted for his leadership in sustainable agriculture and isresponsible for leading the college’s development of theorganic farm at the Horticulture Research Farm. He has beenserving as the interim chair.

Awards/HonorsAwards/Honors

Alison Dav is,Alison Dav is, director of the Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky, isa fellow of the 2019 Cohort of Interdisciplinary Research Leaders, a three-year leadershipprogram through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Julie Plasenc ia,Julie Plasenc ia, assistant professor in the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition is partof the UK team selected to participate in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's ClinicalScholars leadership program to address children's health and education in Appalachia.

National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences award recipients:Distinguished service: Cry stal OsborneCry stal Osborne, Owsley County; Christy Nuetzman GuffeyChristy Nuetzman Guffey ,Clinton County; and Melissa GoodmanMelissa Goodman, Hickman CountyContinued excellence: Nanette BanksNanette Banks, Letcher County; Amanda HardyAmanda Hardy , HendersonCounty; and Hazel JacksonHazel Jackson , Rockcastle County.Julia W ilsonJulia W ilson of Edmonson County and her team won first place in the social mediaeducation-online video category. Team members include Rachel HanceRachel Hance of LoganCounty, Christy RameyChristy Ramey of Simpson County, Tracy ThorntonTracy Thornton of Butler County,Lynn BlankenshipLynn Blankenship of Metcalfe County, LaToya DrakeLaToya Drake of Barren County, Janey JaneyC lineC line of Hart County and Jamille HawkinsJamille Hawkins, formerly of Monroe County.Sherri BroderickSherri Broderick of Gallatin County placed second in environmental education, andAmanda HardyAmanda Hardy received second place in communication: TV/video.

W ill Snell and Steve IsaacsW ill Snell and Steve Isaacs, extension professors, Department of Agricultural Economics,co-recipients of the International Association of Programs for Agricultural LeadershipOutstanding Program Director(s) Award. They received the award for guiding the KentuckyAgricultural Leadership Program.

Carmen AgouridisCarmen Agouridis, associate dean for instruction, M.K. Dickerson Award for Excellence inEnvironmental Education from Kentucky Association for Environmental Education.

Congratulations to the 2019 Outstanding Staff Award RecipientsCongratulations to the 2019 Outstanding Staff A ward Recipients

Pictured left to right: Nancy Cox, Chad Tucker, Hugo Hamilton, Mary Payton, Robin Notton, and Eileen Kopp. Not

pictured are Chris Rodgers and Kai Su.

Executiv e/Administrat iv e/Managerial/Non-Professional CategoryExecutiv e/Administrat iv e/Managerial/Non-Professional CategoryMary Payton, UK Veterinary Diagnostic LaboratoryChris Rodgers, Department of Plant and Soil SciencesOffice and C lerical, On-Campus CategoryOffice and C lerical, On-Campus CategoryRobin Notton, Department of Animal and Food SciencesOffice and C lerical, Off-Campus CategoryOffice and C lerical, Off-Campus CategoryEileen Kopp, Cooperative Extension-Laurel CountyServ ice, Maintenance, Skilled Crafts, Farm Management CategoryServ ice, Maintenance, Skilled Crafts, Farm Management CategoryChad Tucker, Department of Veterinary ScienceTechnical/Paraprofessional CategoryTechnical/Paraprofessional CategoryHugo Hamilton, Department of Animal and Food SciencesKai Su, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

CAFE Employee and Supervisor Online ResourcesCAFE Employee and Supervisor Online Resources

The CAFE Business Center has resources for staff and supervisors in one convenient location.

Staff can discover the numerous programs that are available on the Employee ResourcesEmployee Resourcespagepage. Supervisors can access the latest tools on the Superv isor ResourcesSuperv isor Resources page.

In the newsIn the news

Chris BartonChris Barton , professor, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, was quoted in theNew York Times, Washington Post and numerous media outlets regarding planting trees to aidthe climate. D ifficult but rewarding work: Plant ing trees to aid c limateDifficult but rewarding work: Plant ing trees to aid c limate

Ric BessinRic Bessin , professor, Department of Entomology, was quoted in USA Today and other mediaoutlets about caterpillars that can poison you. These ‘super soft and cuddly ’ caterpillarsThese ‘super soft and cuddly ’ caterpillarscan poison y ou. Here's what y ou should knowcan poison y ou. Here's what y ou should know

Jann KnappageJann Knappage, food system specialist, was quoted in several media outlets for a series ofrecipe cards aimed at helping the state’s most vulnerable citizens learn how to prepare wildgame. 'Cook W ild Kentucky ' Teaches How to Prepare W ild Game'Cook W ild Kentucky ' Teaches How to Prepare W ild Game

Brandon SearsBrandon Sears, Madison County extension agent for agriculture and natural resources, wasquoted in several media outlets regarding young farmers. Farming presents challenges forFarming presents challenges fory oung peopleyoung people

Trees Continue to Provide EnjoymentTrees Continue to Provide Enjoyment

When the new and expanded GattonGattonStudent Center Student Center went up, several trees hadto come down. Their story didn’t end there.Students will continue to enjoy the benefits ofthose venerable trees through handmadecoffee tables constructed from their wood.The tables were donated and manufacturedby the UK Department of Forestry andNatural Resources. Next time you’re in thestudent center be sure to check out thetables and the informational panels aboutthem.

Spotlight

Avery WatkinsAvery WatkinsSenior Engineer, Engineering Services

We asked Avery to share a little about his passions, his careerpath and what led him to us.

Tell us about y our background and what led y ou toTell us about y our background and what led y ou toyour current ro le at UK?your current ro le at UK?I grew up on a 200-acre farm in Garrard County helping my

dad raise tobacco and registered Angus beef cattle. I was veryinvolved in FFA throughout my high school years. I had notplanned to attend college until my senior year when, becauseof my math and science skills, my FFA advisor suggested that Imight want to pursue an agricultural engineering degree. Beingan alumnus of the college, he brought me to campus andintroduced me to the right people, and I enrolled in August1989.

During my undergraduate years, I also was a student worker inthe Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. Igraduated with my agricultural engineering degree inDecember 1993, went home for Christmas break and cameback on Jan. 2 as a full-time employee in BAE. My first jobinvolved pesticide applicator training and how drinking water wells might be affected by howfarmers were rinsing out their sprayers and cleaning empty pesticide containers. That projectwas funded for three years through an EPA grant.

As the grant project wrapped up, I was asked to join the college’s Design and Constructiongroup and provide engineering services. In August 2004, I finished my master’s degree inBiosystems and Agricultural Engineering.

In 2006, I moved my office to the North Farm and continued my engineering work underAgricultural Design and Construction, which later became Facilities Management. I received myprofessional engineer’s license in January 2011. During my tenure as senior engineer, I haveoverseen many new construction and renovation projects for CAFE, including projects on allthe college’s external research locations and 4-H camps.

Share y our favorite thing about working in CAFE?Share y our favorite thing about working in CAFE?My favorite thing in CAFE has always been the people. As a student and an employee for thepast 30 years, I have been introduced to many wonderful people that I not only consider mycolleagues, but my friends.

W hat is one thing about y ourself that might surprise people?W hat is one thing about y ourself that might surprise people?I have officiated 11 weddings (marrying 12 couples) and one funeral. I also sing gospel musicand have recorded three solo albums with a fourth hopefully coming soon. I am a member ofthe Kentucky Country Music Association and the North American Country Music AssociationInternational. I have competed in annual singing contests for each of these organizations overthe last eight years and have won various awards on both the state and national level.

Calendar of Events

November 5November 5Election Day

November 6November 6Retailing and Tourism ManagementNetworking Dinner

Helpful Links

GivingCollege Weekly for Faculty & StaffCollege Weekly for StudentsThe Ag MagazineThe AmbassadorContact Us

November 8November 8Senior Caregiving Conference

November 8November 82019 CLD and Ag Ed Alumni Reunion

November 11November 11Employee Education ProgramLunch & Learn

November 15November 15Eighth Annual Jr. MANRRS LeadershipInstitute

November 28-29November 28-29Thanksgiving

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