September 2005 New Agents
From left to right: Aubrey Graham, Amanda Gray, Laura Holt, Rebecca Grubb, Angela Halstead, Valerie Hudson
Below is more information about each New Agent:
Aubrey Graham, Estill County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development, just finished a year-long AmeriCorp assignment where she worked as a 4-H Assistant in Wyoming. While in college, Aubrey spent summers working at high adventure camps including three summers at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. She was an active 4-H’er in Kansas and completed her Bachelor’s in English from Ohio University in 2004.
Amanda Gray, Clinton County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences, finished her B.S. in Family & Consumer Sciences at Tennessee Technological University in May. Just as she had for the last four summers, Amanda finished the semester and reported to work at the Clyde 4-H Center in Crossville, TN. Amanda will be able to put her 4-H background to work in Clinton County where she shares responsibility for the 4-H program with the agricultural agent.
Laura Holt’s career path has gone full circle. After graduating from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Home Economics Education, Laura was employed as a 4-H Agent in Webster County. After two years she moved to Muhlenberg County to work with her husband as owner/operator of a department store. After the store closed in 2004, Laura taught high school family and consumer sciences and is now the new Muhlenberg County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences.
The new Carter County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development, Rebecca Grubb, was an Extension Intern in 2004 with Linda Sexton in Greenup County. Rebecca completed a B.S. in Agriculture Education from Morehead State University in 2005 after completing her student teaching in Carter County. While growing up, she was active in 4-H and FFA in Greenup County.
Angela Halstead fondly remembers her trips to 4-H camp and other 4-H involvement when she was growing up in Jackson County. Now Angela is the new Jackson County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development. She earned her Bachelor’s in Child & Family Studies from Eastern Kentucky University and has worked for the last eleven years as a Family Resource Center Director.
Valerie Hudson, Monroe County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences, is accustomed to offering programs to help the people of Monroe County. Most recently she was the Community Action Services Coordinator in Tompkinsville, where she was in charge of distributing commodities to low-income families, teaching food budgeting & nutrition and organizing a job fair. Valerie completed a B.S. in Sociology with an emphasis in Social Work at Tennessee Technological University in 2001.
Dan Allen, Kenton County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, most recently worked as the Operations Director for the Cincinnati Horticultural Society. Dan has partnered with Extension through his professional roles and also served as an Extension volunteer. He has a B.S. in Landscape Architecture from West Virginia University. Dan’s wife, Rosie, is the Gallatin County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences.
Josh Long, Fayette County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, is no stranger to the College of Agriculture. While a student he worked as a tobacco research assistant with Gary Palmer and as an office assistant in the Office of Agriculture Alumni and Development. He completed a B.S. in Agriculture Education from the University of Kentucky in 2004. After graduation Josh was employed by Neogen Corporation as a territory manager.
Katie Rice, Clay County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development, wore several “hats” in her previous position. She was the Community Relations, Grant and Employee Events Coordinator for the Manchester Memorial Hospital. Involvement in the community will be one role that she will certainly continue as a 4-H Agent. Katie has a B.S. in Community Health Education from Eastern Kentucky University.
Dennis Morgeson is the first Extension Agent for Horticulture in Washington County. Dennis received his Master’s in Vocational Education and his Bachelor’s in Horticulture from the University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture. For the last six years Dennis has been a Horticulture Instructor at the Marion Adjustment Center where he ran a greenhouse and taught various horticultural and work skills topics to inmates.
Adam Haggard, Nelson County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development, comes to Extension with a strong background in 4-H. He was an active 4-H member and leader in Indiana for 20 years. Adam attended the University of Kentucky where he received a B.S. in Animal Science in 1998. After graduation he managed a family purebred Angus and commercial cow operation and most recently worked for a transportation company in Louisville.
Corey Payne, Crittenden County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, completed a Bachelor’s in Agriculture with an emphasis in Animal Science and is well on his way to a completing a Master’s in Agriculture at Murray State University. Most recently Corey worked as a program assistant for the Webster County FSA Office. He was active in 4-H Shooting Sports and in FFA when he was in high school in Crittenden County.
Martin Wheeldon, the new Pulaski County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development, will work with Brittany Finley to carry out a well-rounded 4-H program in Pulaski County. Martin has been involved in the 4-H program as a Shooting Sports member and leader. His interest in this area led him to be on the Murray State University Rifle Team. He earned his B.S. in Biology from Murray and most recently was working as a Private Lands Wildlife Biologist.
