Teamwork

This Couple’s Key to Succes

By Kathy Ibendahl

Five years ago, Tony Jury (B.S. ’98, M.S. ’99) agreed to take a trip home with FarmHouse brother Brian Burkhead. Anxious to get away from school for a relaxing weekend and meet the family of his good friend, Jury never imagined that the trip would change his life forever.

When he met Burkhead’s younger sister, Kristy (B.S. ’99), Jury knew he wanted to get to know her better. At the time, Kristy Burkhead was a first-year student in the College of Agriculture, and she and Jury soon began to date.

They remained a couple throughout the next few years and decided they’d make a great team for life. They married May 22, 1999, the weekend after her graduation from UK.
Today the Jurys are quickly becoming agricultural and youth leaders in Gallatin County, Kentucky. Kristy became the County Extension Agent for 4-H/Youth Development almost two years ago, and Tony is in his second year as the vocational agriculture teacher at Gallatin County High School in Warsaw.

One of the things they enjoy most about their new jobs is that they often get to work together. Since their jobs overlap, they know many of the same students and parents, and work on some of the same programs and events.
“As a couple, it makes it easier to sit down and iron out the details,” said Tony Jury. “It’s also a lot of fun working with the same students.”

“We enjoy making a difference in the lives of young people,” added Kristy Jury. “Our jobs allow us to see children use what they learn and realize that they have more potential than they thought. There’s a real excitement in seeing them develop.”

Combined, the Jurys are in contact with hundreds of young people. Kristy works
with about 500 Gallatin County youth, teaching them life skills, helping them gain personal knowledge, and promoting lifelong learning. Tony teaches approximately 120 high school students. As a vo-ag teacher, he helps them gain a knowledge of agriculture as well as skills they will need after high school graduation.

The Jurys stay in touch with friends and keep up to date with the College through the Ag Alumni Association. “We want to give back to the College,” said Tony Jury. “Being a member of the Alumni Association makes you feel like you have a voice to make changes and support current students through scholarships. We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the College of Ag.”

Throughout college, the two ag ed majors were busy student leaders. Tony was active in FarmHouse, the Ag Ed Society, Baptist Student Union, and the Dairy Club. Kristy was a member of the CERES women’s fraternity, the Ag Ed Society, Baptist Student Union, Student Athletics Council, Ag Student Council, and the Ag Ambassadors. Ending her college career on a high note, Kristy was chosen to be the student speaker at the 1999 University commencement ceremony.

The Jurys credit the College of Ag for the success they are enjoying in their new positions. “The College gave me the opportunity to gain experience in the classroom setting,” said Kristy Jury. “I’m in classrooms frequently and my experience has helped me prepare lesson plans, learn how to discipline, and use attention-grabbing techniques.”
For Tony Jury, college taught him to respect others’ opinions and learn to work with them. “I learned to enjoy people for who they are,” he said. “When you teach kids, it’s very important to forgive and get along.”

When it came to selecting a school, there was no other choice for Tony Jury but the UK College of Agriculture. As a child, he had heard about the University and, during his involvement in 4-H dairy judging, he crossed paths with Dr. George Heersche in the Department of Animal Sciences. Heersche’s encouragement solidified his decision to attend UK.

Kristy Jury admits that she chose UK because she wanted to be a part of the rifle team. The team’s advisor met her at an FFA event and made a good impression. She also credits Dr. Charles Byers in the ag education program and Lou Ann Waldner, former Director of Student Relations, for inspiring her to attend the College.

“There are great people in the College,” smiled Tony Jury. “We gained friends for life. We relate better and are closer to our friends in ag because of our similar backgrounds.”
Tony and Kristy Jury both grew up on farms, one of the many things they have in common. The couple enjoy various outdoor activities such as hunting, hiking, and camping.

Tony is the son of Freddy and Jean Jury of Nelson County; Kristy’s parents are J.O. and Judy Burkhead of Lancaster in Garrard County. Tony’s younger sister, Erin, entered UK last fall, working toward a degree in ag education.