Kurtz in Animal Sciences Hall of Fame

Kurtz was presented the award during Roundup festivities this fall.

George M. Kurtz, his wife Emogene Clements Kurtz, and some very young family members.

“We are proud to induct Mr. Kurtz into the Animal Sciences Hall of Fame," said Bob Harmon, chair of the Department of Animal Sciences. "He has distinguished himself and the College in his career, his tireless work for 4-H and FFA, and in his family and community life. Kentucky has been made a better place through his energies, and we are privileged to count him one of our own. His early achievements in youth activities and his contributions to Block and Bridle during his collegiate years make him an especially fitting inductee as Block and Bridle celebrates its 80th anniversary."

Early in his career, Kurtz was an Extension agent in Edmondson County, assistant agent in Clark County, and substitute county agent in Casey County. For much of his career, Kurtz, a Garrard County native, has been both a producer on the Union County farm where he has lived for half a century and owner of Kurtz Auction Realty Company in Morganfield.

His firm, recognized throughout the Southeast, has conducted purebred livestock auction sales in 18 states, including sales for state universities and departments of agriculture.

Kurtz's auctions have included locks and dams for the federal government, 25,000 acres of Camp Breckinridge Army Camp, and islands in the Ohio River.

He was named to the Kentucky Auctioneers Hall of Fame in 1989.

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Kurtz raised registered Angus cattle from the 1930s through the late 1950s. Since 1959, he has maintained a commercial cow and calf herd and has also raised registered sheep.

He is a longtime Lions Club member and has taught a men's class at his church for 25 years.
Kurtz has distinguished himself as a supporter of animal agriculture by integrating his professional skills with civic contributions to agriculture. He is past president of the Union County Farm Bureau and has supported 4-H and FFA financially and auctioned innumerable 4-H and FFA projects without charge. He continues to judge livestock shows and fairs for 4-H and FFA.

Kurtz was active in 4-H from his youth, serving as president of his local club, the Garrard County club, and the state 4-H association. He was a member of the 4-H dairy judging team that placed second in the state at the Kentucky State Fair.

While at UK Kurtz won first place in the UK livestock judging competition. He was also a member of the team that won in a judging competition for the Southeast.
He was also president of the Block & Bridle Club, vice-president of Alpha Gamma Rho, and a member of the University 4-H Club.

A UK Fellow, he has been active in the UK ag alumni organization and was the distinguished alumni award winner for the Green River area in 1979.

Kurtz's first wife was the late Jane Shaffer Kurtz. Their children are Martha Kurtz Williams; William, Kurtz; Julia Kurtz Tackett, '68, '71; and Kelly Kurtz Goetz, '69.

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