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History of the Kentucky 4-H Horse Program (Taken from “History of the Department of Animal Sciences” by James D. Kemp, 1991) Following the expansion of the equine program in 1967 at the University of Kentucky Department of Animal Sciences, it soon became clear that additional help was needed in the area of horse Extension work. Gary D. Potter was named the first Extension Horse Specialist. After completing his Ph.D. at UK in 1967, Potter had accepted a position at Texas A & M as a ruminant nutritionist; but he was an experience horseman and returned to UK to serve as Extension Horse Specialist. He did an effective job in this position and was the first to organize the Kentucky 4-H Horse Program, the largest of the animal 4-H programs in Kentucky. But two years after his arrival, Potter returned to Texas A & M to accept a position in the horse section.
For the next two years, the Extension position was vacant; John Baker attempted to keep the program going while recruiting for a replacement for Potter. In 1974 Monte R. Johnson was employed, but resigned the following year due to a serious health problem. Stephen G. Jackson was hired in 1975 to temporarily fill the Extension position while pursuing graduate work at UK. After three years Jackson resigned (to allow more time for his pursuit of the Ph.D.), and Dean D. Householder served as the Extension Horse Specialist from 1979 until 1985. In 1985, Craig H. Wood was employed as the Extension Horse Specialist, and he served that role until 1996. During his time at UK, Craig hired Ashley (Stewart) Griffin as an intern, and she later became the first Equine Extension Associate for the 4-H Horse Program until 2002. In 1998, Dr. Bob Coleman was hired as Extension Horse Specialist, and still serves as that role today. Kristen (Janicki) Harvey was hired in 2002 as the Extension Associate, and still serves in that role.
In the spring of 2005, UK's College of Agriculture set out to better serve Kentucky's multi-breed horse industry by building on the University's strong tradition of excellence in equine research, instruction and service and to enhance the Commonwealth's well-deserved status as the "Horse Capital of the World." In May of that year, UK President Lee T. Todd, Jr. named the Equine Initiative as one of the University's "Commonwealth Collaboratives ," a term encompassing projects aimed at improving Kentucky's schools, business climate, environment, health care and lifestyles. Phases 1 and 2 consisted of information gathering and planning. In January 2007, the Equine Initiative was formally announced during a press conference at UK's Maine Chance Farm. During all three phases, new faculty and staff have been put into place to support UK's renewed equine emphasis. This included the addition of a 2nd Extension Horse Specialist and in 2007, Dr. Fernanda Camargo was hired to fill that position.
Since it began the Kentucky Extension Horse Program has been very active, and the Kentucky 4-H Horse Program is consistently the largest of the 4-H large animal programs. Over the years, the program significantly expanded and improved. Today there are many more individual horse activities for 4-H youth, and those activities are more smoothly organized; adult horse people are receiving more leadership; many more publications and videos are available; and the Extension Horse Specialists are serving in leadership roles not only in Kentucky, but on a regional and national level as well.
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How do I join 4-H in my county?? To join 4-H in Kentucky, you must be between the ages of 9-18 and reside in Kentucky. Being in 4-H has a lot of benefits! You get to meet new people, participate in clinics and camps to learn about all sorts of topics, and even have the opportunity to join specialty clubs, like horses, cattle, gardening, sewing, shooting sports, music, and much more!
All you have to do is know the county that you live in and contact your County 4-H and Youth Development Agent for more information. To find their information, look in your local phone directory, or visit www.ca.uky.edu/county/
For information on other 4-H projects in Kentucky, visit the State 4-H website at www.ca.uky.edu/agcollege/4h
Current 4-H Horse Program Faculty and Staff Dr. Fernanda Camargo, Extension Horse Specialist University of Kentucky 610 W.P. Garrigus Building Lexington, KY 40546-0215 859-257-7525
Kristen M. Harvey, Equine Extension Associate University of Kentucky 615 W.P. Garrigus Building Lexington, KY 40546-0215 859-257-7501
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