Explore Western Kentucky on the 2026 UK Land-grant Engagement bus tour

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 24, 2026) — The University of Kentucky Office of Land-grant Engagement is offering a unique trip to travel and connect directly with communities in Western Kentucky. This university-wide experiential learning and networking opportunity connects participants to valuable partnerships while offering firsthand insight into topics that include health care access and innovation, workforce and economic development, and community leadership.

The 2026 Land-grant Engagement Bus Tour runs May 11-14, 2026, and is open to UK administrators, faculty and staff.

“This tour reflects the very best of our land-grant mission,” said Laura Stephenson, Ph.D., vice president for land-grant engagement and dean of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “It is about listening, learning and building relationships. We want participants to return with a deeper understanding of the priorities and strengths that exist across Western Kentucky. Most importantly, we hope they come back to campus with a renewed commitment to partnership, reciprocity and a shared responsibility to strengthen communities across the Commonwealth.”

Monday, May 11, planned agenda:

• Leitchfield and Grayson County: Local organizations are working to address community health in Leitchfield and Grayson County. This visit will highlight collaborative efforts, including Grayson County Extension, Grayson County Health Department and Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center.
• UK Research and Education Center in Princeton: Tracing its history back 100 years, Princeton originated from a community-engaged effort to address needs unique to Western Kentucky farmers. Today, the 1,652-acre facility is interwoven in the community, extending its impact beyond agriculture.

Tuesday, May 12, planned agenda:

• UK Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering – Paducah Campus: For more than 25 years, the Paducah Campus has offered local pathways for students to earn an engineering degree. This campus works closely with local communities and industries to support regional economic development and other initiatives. Participants will tour the campus, learn about the programs offered and hear from industry representatives.
• Paducah – First Impressions: Step into the role of a first-time visitor and experience downtown Paducah with a fresh perspective. As part of the First Impressions program, participants will explore the community and provide candid feedback that helps local leaders enhance downtown’s appeal, functionality and economic potential.
• Arts, Preparedness and Community in Paducah: Participants will learn how partnerships among higher education, Cooperative Extension and local cultural organizations support creative careers, connect students to arts pathways, and strengthen community resilience through initiatives such as arts emergency preparedness and community-based creative programs.

Wednesday, May 13, planned agenda:

• Fulton: Local leaders will showcase collaborative economic development strategies that build on regional assets while addressing persistent challenges such as workforce participation and housing availability. The visit will spotlight innovative workforce initiatives that support individuals in recovery and those reentering the workforce after incarceration, and how UK students contribute design ideas that strengthen community revitalization efforts.
• Fulton and Hickman Counties: The UK College of Dentistry, in partnership with local workgroup collaborators, presents the Pathway to Dentistry program — a pilot initiative serving Fulton and Hickman County school systems. The program addresses Kentucky’s dental workforce shortage by introducing students to the dental professions and outlining the academic pathways required for degrees in dental assisting, dental hygiene and dentistry.
• Portrait of Christian County: Representatives from Fort Campbell, the West Kentucky Workforce Development Board and other organizations will share how they identify local needs and build strong cross-sector collaborations. The program will also include a discussion focused on how additional partners can engage in meeting the evolving needs of a region shaped by its strong military presence and community connections.

Thursday, May 14, planned agenda:

• Muhlenberg County: Tour Felix E. Martin Jr. Hall and learn about the arts activities, including the student intern program. Participants will also learn about the Felix Martin Foundation’s early childhood program and post-secondary success program. The post-secondary program includes a robust cohort experience for middle school students, with a focus on career exploration, workforce skills and envisioning future opportunities. Participants may also tour the middle school Paxton-Patterson Career Labs.

How to apply

The UK Office of Land-grant Engagement is sponsoring the tour, including bus travel, lodging and most meals for participants. The itinerary will include several local meals, emphasizing connections to economic development and community support.

Apply for the 2026 Land-grant Engagement Bus Tour by April 6.

When applying, UK staff and faculty are asked to provide a statement of support from senior leadership in their respective college or business unit.

For further questions, please contact Alison Davis, executive director of Blueprint Kentucky and assistant vice-president of Land-grant Engagement; or Kim Henken, director of Extension Engagement and Administrative Initiatives at the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.