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 developing and disseminating educational materials and programs to increase agricultural and environmental literacy among educators and their students.

GOAL 2

To assist in building 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 the 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 marketplace, and global society.

GOAL 5

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

We accomplish these goals through several program areas.

 
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Why Do We Want to Increase Agricultural Literacy?

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

 

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

Current Leadership

Executive Committee

Chair - Tod Griffin, Agribusiness Association of Kentucky

Vice Chair - Becky Kinder, Kentucky Soybean Board

Treasurer - Jamie Guffey, Kentucky Poultry Federation

Executive Director - Jennifer Elwell

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

Board of Directors

Thelma Blair
Retired Teacher and School Administrator
Lincoln County Farm Bureau

Jennifer Burgan
Environmental Science Teacher
Ky Association of Conservation Districts

Bradon Burks
Education Director
Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association

Scott Christmas
Director of Youth and Women’s Programs
Kentucky Farm Bureau

Sarah Coleman
Executive Director
Kentucky Horse Council

Niki Ellis
Executive Director
Kentucky Pork Producers Association

Alan Curtsinger
Assistant Director of Youth Wellness
The Dairy Alliance

Laura Knoth
Executive Director
Kentucky Corn Growers & Kentucky Small Grain Growers Associations

Bethany Mattingly, Ex-Officio
Division Director Agriculture Education and Outreach
Kentucky Department of Agriculture

Josh Mitcham, Ex-Officio
Director
Kentucky FFA Leadership Training Center

Ashley Osborne, Ex-Officio
Extension Specialist
Kentucky 4-H Youth Development

Leanne Ragland
Home Educator, Farmer, Citizen-at-Large
Shady Rest Farms

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

Jade Sadler
Financial Officer, Farm Credit Mid-America
PTO President, Creekside Elementary, Sonora

Chelsea Smither, Ex-Officio
Program Director
Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy