Director, Department of Agriculture

Dr. Andrea Sexten
(859) 622-2228
Carter 2

Executive Director, Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and the Environment

Dr. Stephen Richter
(859) 622-8688
Science Building 3106; Carter 2

Faculty

P. Dash, B. Jones, C. Hagan, J. Kenealy, M. McDermott, J. Settimi, and A. Sexten

The Department of Agriculture offers Bachelor of Science and Associate of Applied Science degrees in Agriculture and Animal and Veterinary Sciences. Concentrations in the Agriculture degree program include Agribusiness Management, Fruit, Vegetable, Nursery and Greenhouse Production, Livestock Management, Agriculture Engineering Technology, Turfgrass and Landscape Management, and Agronomy, Soils and Natural Resources. Concentrations in the Animal and Veterinary Sciences degree program include Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary Medicine. The Department also offers a degree program for Career and Technical Education – Agriculture Education Concentration in collaboration with the College of Education and Applied Human Sciences.

A minor is offered in Agriculture. Students may receive the Associate degree and then continue for a Bachelors degree with no loss of credit. Students must obtain a “C” average in Department classes. The Pre-Veterinary Medicine program has an excellent veterinary school acceptance rate. More detailed information can be obtained by reading the section on Pre-Veterinary medicine.

Students have ample opportunities to personalize their education. Academic credit can be earned for Cooperative Education. Students may receive up to eight hours of Co-Op credit for the Associate Degree and 12 for the Bachelor of Science Degree. Students can also obtain credit for experiential learning in the Department’s facilities through practicum courses. In addition, students are encouraged to participate in Independent Studies with faculty mentors.

Department Goals

The Department of Agriculture’s vision is to be the top choice of students pursing a comprehensive educational experience to address future issues relating to food, animal health, climate, energy, living and recreational environment within a sound economic framework.

The mission of the Department of Agriculture is to cultivate leaders, entrepreneurs, and educators for the global challenges that integrate plant and animal life with the human experience.  Faculty and staff commit to innovative theoretical and experiential learning ensuring students are career ready and dedicated to service.  We accomplish this in the classroom, the University farm, greenhouses, landscape grounds, and through industry partnerships for the personal and professional growth of the student.

The Department of Agriculture blends scientific theory with practical application and hands-on experiences.  Current concepts and theories are presented in the classroom and then applied in the laboratory with the faculty member as the laboratory supervisor using a hands-on approach.  Practicum classes at the university enterprises and through cooperative education are further utilized to reinforce the practical application of scientific theory.  Professors are experienced, enthusiastic, and passionate about providing students the skills necessary to succeed with the ever-changing technology and environment.

The Department of Agriculture is supported by excellent classroom laboratories and facilities at the A.B. Carter Building, including a modern computer laboratory, ag mechanics shop, animal and plant science biotechnology laboratories equipped for research and cell cloning are also available. There are also garden displays, turf plots, and 5 greenhouses.  Students will have the unique opportunity to work directly with and observe practical applications of agricultural technology at EKU's 1,100-acre Meadowbrook Farm located only eight miles from campus with an on-site classroom.  The farm gives students an opportunity to experience all aspects of modern production in beef, dairy, sheep, swine, and crop enterprises.  Students have the opportunity to develop their extracurricular leadership skills through the Agriculture/Collegiate Farm Bureau Club, Block & Bridle Club, Delta Tau Alpha Agriculture Honor Society, Horticulture Club, Pre-Vet Club, and Sigma Alpha Sorority.

EKU Farms will provide a technologically current, high quality learning environment for instruction. It will demonstrate agricultural practices and techniques that are consistent with the instructional program, are environmentally sound and have practical application. Information will also be disseminated to the regional agricultural community. EKU Farms will also promote and conduct service activities such as field days, tours, seminars, demonstrations, meetings, and open houses to serve the needs of diverse consumer groups.

The Department will also provide service to the University, community, region, profession, and industry; provide opportunities for faculty/staff/student collaboration in scholarly and creative activities; and engage in continuous improvement processes to ensure its programs, services, and infrastructure are current and relevant.

Program Objectives

Graduates in the agriculture area are well trained for careers in many diverse aspects of agriculture such as government agencies (Kentucky Department of Agriculture, USDA, Cooperative Extension Service, NRCS), 4-H programs, soil conservation, farm management and operations, agribusiness including agriculture financial agencies/institutions, sales, feed sales, food plant supervision, retail-store management, technical service, agriculture education Career and Technical Education, and the livestock industry, to name a few. Students can also continue their education in graduate school or in veterinary medicine.

Animal and Veterinary Sciences

In Animal and Veterinary Sciences, students will receive hands on training in animal handling and research that will include opportunities to work directly with both large and small animals. The Pre-Veterinary curriculum will allow students to meet entrance requirements for veterinary schools throughout the United States and abroad. The rigorous coursework will also prepare students to pursue advanced degrees in veterinary science, animal science, human medicine, biomedical science, biotechnology, genetics, nutrition, microbiology, reproduction, behavior, or any of the other basic sciences. The Animal Science curriculum will provide career training allowing graduates to pursue a wide array of opportunities in the public and private sector in areas such as pharmaceutical and feed sales, farm management, biotechnology research and development, communication and marketing consultant, food science, agriculture finance and banking, extension and 4-H agents, government agency employees, and pursuing advanced degrees.

Horticulture

In the horticulture area, the abundance of hands-on practical experiences allow graduates in the horticulture programs to pursue careers in the regional and local food industry, the turf industry as golf course superintendents, sports turf managers, sales and service areas, professional landscape industry, the nursery industry, and in the greenhouse industry.

Career and Technical Education - Agriculture Education Concentration

Graduates of the BS degree program in Career and Technical Education - Agriculture Education Concentration are prepared for teaching careers in secondary schools. They are prepared to lead programs in horticulture and agriculture and to advise their chapter’s FFA members in carrying out their annual program of activities.

Numerous opportunities are available for extracurricular activities to complement the academic training. These include the Agriculture Club, Horticulture Club, Delta Tau Alpha (honorary society), student chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, and Pre-Vet Club. Numerous local and national trips are taken to expand students’ learning experiences.

The Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and the Environment

The Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and the Environment is comprised of the Department of Agriculture, the Center for Environmental Education, and the Division of Natural Areas. Consistent with Eastern Kentucky University’s long and successful history of managing agricultural and natural resources for the greater benefit of the campus and local community, the Institute will enhance opportunities for collaborative growth and program support in developing interdisciplinary programs and administering EKU’s farms and natural areas for land stewardship and resource management. The Institute offers associate, baccalaureate, and university certificate programs.

The Institute also supports a broad range of interdisciplinary activities, programs, and opportunities for students, including (1) applied learning through internships in agriculture, natural resource management, and environmental education at EKU farms and natural areas; (2) courses, educational programming, and public engagement at our six field stations totaling over 3,200 acres: Meadowbrook Farm, Lilley Cornett Woods Appalachian Research Station, Maywoods Environmental and Educational Laboratory, Taylor Fork Ecological Area, Cardinal Lane Outdoor Laboratory, and Gladie Cultural and Environmental Learning Center; and (4) job-placement opportunities with state, federal, and non-governmental organizations; and (5) interdisciplinary university certificates that will enrich their degree programs.

Bachelor’s

Associate’s

Minor

Courses

Agriculture

Ornamental Horticulture