Our Mission

WE ARE WORKING TO BUILD:

  • Accurate knowledge of food, fiber, and renewable energy production

  • Appreciation for agriculture’s impact on the economy and quality of life

  • Trust in the farming practices of the Kentucky farmer

The Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom, Inc. works with our agricultural, environmental, and educational partners to produce and distribute Kentucky-based and standards-aligned resources and programs that showcase how our Kentucky farmers utilize our natural resources to produce sustainable food and renewable goods. All our lessons and programs can be used as teaching supplements in all subject areas. ​

Goal 1

​To assist in the development and dissemination of educational materials and programs to increase agricultural and environmental literacy among educators and their students.

Goal 2

To assist in the building of strong partnerships among the agricultural and environmental community and the education system.

Goal 3

To assist in implementing a statewide promotional campaign and public information network about agriculture and environment in the classroom.

Goal 4

To encourage and assist in the development of educational programs that respond to the trends and demands of the food and fiber industry, environmental issues, natural resources system, world market place and global society.

Goal 5

To establish ongoing evaluation measures of existing and future agricultural/environmental literacy materials. 

We accomplish these goals through several programs areas.

 
 

History

KyAEC was formed in 1992 under the leadership of Jeff Rice, Billy Joe Miles, the late Buddy Adams, and former Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ed Logsdon. They realized that more agricultural education programs were needed across the state. 

A number of other individuals were instrumental in the development of KyAEC and agricultural/environmental education programs:

  • Libby Jones

  • Sister Amelia Stenger

  • Rayetta Boone

  • Dr. Jack Morgan

  • Billy Ray Smith

  • Jim Lacy

  • Dr. Wendy Stivers

  • Faye Lowe

  • ​Bill Sprague

  • Millie Crawford

  • Dr. Terry Wilson

  • Dr. Pete Driesbach

  • Debbie Ellis

  • Eric McClain

  • Dave Maples

  • Mike Ovesen

  • Sherleen Sisney

  • Sam Moore

  • Todd Barlow

  • and many others

 
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Why do we want to increase agricultural literacy?

Today’s students are tomorrow’s consumers and workforce.

 

Current Leadership

Chairman

Tod Griffin, Agribusiness Association of Kentucky

Vice Chairman

Becky Kinder, Kentucky Soybean Board

Treasurer

Jamie Guffey, Kentucky Poultry Federation

Jeff Rice, Citizen-at-Large & KyAEC Founding Member
Rice Agri-Marketing​

Steve Coleman, Citizen-at-Large
Retired from Kentucky Division of Conservation

Scott Christmas
Kentucky Farm Bureau

Bonnie Jolly
Kentucky Pork Producers Association

Niki Ellis
Kentucky Beef Council

Denise Jones
The Dairy Alliance

Laura Knoth
Kentucky Corn Growers & Kentucky Small Grain Growers Associations

Katy Ross
Kentucky Horse Council

Judy Hayden
Retired Teacher

​Allan Bryant
Ky Association of Conservation Districts

​Lindsay Phillips
​Farm Credit Mid-America

Leanne Ragland
Home Educator, Farmer, Citizen-at-Large

Josh Mitcham
Kentucky FFA Leadership Training Center

Ashley Osborne
Kentucky 4-H

Marielle McElmurray, Ex-Officio
Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy

Elizabeth Gordon, Ex-Officio
Kentucky Department of Agriculture