Class Notes

2001
Eric Byrd received an M.S. degree in forestry from the University of Kentucky in May 2001 and is currently an environmental consultant with the Kentucky Business Environmental Assistance Program. Byrd assists clients with air quality permit applications and technical issues. He also holds an associate of science degree from Florida Atlantic University, as well as a B.S. in forestry from UK.

2000
Misty Ruth (Miller) Bivens took first place in Kentucky and was among the top eight in the nation in the Farm Bureau Discussion Meet held in December 2001 and January 2002. The Discussion Meet is a competitive event for young farmers.
For her in-state victory, Bivens won an Arctic Cat four-wheeler and a trip to the national competition in Reno. Bivens lives in Hodgenville, Kentucky and is an agriculture teacher at LaRue County High School.

2002 Chapter Presidents
Bluegrass Susan Hayes ’75,’78
Fort Harrod Ken Parsons ’81,’85
Green River Larry Dame ’76
Lake Cumberland Terry Bertram ’87
Licking River Don Johnson ’70
Lincoln Trail Bill McCloskey ’84, ’87
Louisville Aaron Edelson ’97
Mammoth Cave Justin Marsh ’95
Northeast North Danny Bailey ’68
Northeast South Suzanne Stumbo ’74
Northern Kentucky Larry A. Walton ’85
Pennyrile Sara Broadbent Rogers ’90
Purchase Brian Stedelin ’97,’98
Quicksand David Cornett ’81
Wilderness Trail Charles Cornett ’42

2002 Faculty Directors
Lori Garkovich
Lyndall Harned Extension Representative
Robert (Bob) Pearce Research Representative

2002 Student Directors
Chad Carney Ag Student Council
Nathan Clay Lawson Farm House
Erin Shultz Independent
Chris Roark AGR
Ellie Fryman CERES

2002 State Officers
President Jeff Pendleton ’85
President Elect Dennis Parrett ’81
Vice President Doug Thomas ’81
Secretary Don Johnson ’70
Treasurer Tony Halloway ’91
Immediate Past President Bill Smith ’70
NAADA Representative Bobby Gaffney ’75
Alumni Coordinator Grace Gorrell ’79
Alumni Coordinator Charlie Edgington ’98,’00

Incoming Alumni Board Members
From left: Susan Hayes ’75,’85, Bluegrass Area; Sara Broadbent Rogers ’90, Pennyrile; Aaron Edelson ’97, Louisville Area; Justin Marsh ’95, Mammoth Cave; David Cornett ’81, Quicksand Area.

Alumni Association New State Boardd
of Directors
From left: Bill Smith ’70, Past President; Jeff Pendleton ’85, President; Dennis Parrett ’81, President Elect; Doug Thomas ’81, Vice President; Don Johnson ’70, Secretary; Bobby Gaffney ’75, NAADA Representative. Not pictured: Tony Holloway ’91, Treasurer.

The Ag Alumni Association honored its area Outstanding Young Alumni winners during the January 9 Winter Event. From left: Daniel Smith ’98, Bluegrass Area; David Bird ’91, Ft. Harrod Area; Mark Smith ’86, Wilderness Trail Area; Kevin Addington ’83, Lincoln Trail Area; Hugh Johns, Jr. ’83, Green River Area and State winner; Jay Middendorf ’84, Northern Kentucky Area; Justin Marsh ’95, Mammoth Cave Area; Toni Myers ’83, Licking River Area; and Jennifer Elwell ’97, Louisville Area. Not pictured: Daniel Hieneman ’84, Northeast—North; and Mark Alan Herring ’93, Pennyrile Area.

2001 Outstanding State Young Alumnus Award Winner

Hugh Johns, Jr. of Robards, Kentucky, has been chosen by the Agriculture Alumni Association as the state’s Most Outstanding Young Alumnus. Johns, who is from the Green River area, was selected from among the area chapters’ winners, and all were recognized at the Winter Alumni event held on January 9, 2002 in Lexington.

Each chapter selects an Outstanding Young Alumnus and a state winner is chosen from among them. Men and women age 40 and below are eligible for consideration. Their selection is based on personal development and advancement, general and civic leadership, support given to the University and the Agriculture Alumni Association, and other awards they have received.

Hugh Johns has worked as a full-time farmer since his graduation from the College’s agricultural production program in 1983. He grows 700 acres of no-till cash grain, 2 acres of burley tobacco, and custom plants 2,000 acres per year. In 1998, he started a field drainage, tiling, and excavating business.

Johns has participated in many civic organization such as Henderson County Farm Bureau, Ohio Valley Farm Analysis, the Farm Bureau State Soybean Advisory Board, the Ag Development Board, and Henderson County Chamber of Commerce. He has also assisted the College of Agriculture by providing test plots for Roundup Ready soybeans and no-till wheat, donating to scholarships, and serving on the Green River Area Extension Council.
Johns and his wife, Toni, have three children, Lyle, 15, Michael, 13, and Macy, 6.