‘Together We Grow’: UK celebrates agriculture with video tribute, week of campus activities
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 18, 2025) —The University of Kentucky joins the Agriculture Council of America in celebrating National Ag Day on March 18. While this day draws special attention to farmers and their harvests, UK has honored its rich agricultural heritage every day since 1865. That’s when the Kentucky General Assembly established the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky, the precursor to the university known today.
“Together We Grow” is the 2025 theme for Ag Day, resonating with the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s (CAFE) mission of improving lives across the Commonwealth through teaching, research and extension.
Dean Laura Stephenson, Ph.D., said Martin-Gatton CAFE supports agriculture every day by growing the next generation of the workforce on its campus — delivering results and knowledge to Kentucky’s farmers through several units, research stations and 120 county Cooperative Extension Service offices.
“Agriculture is more than an industry – it’s a community that thrives on innovation and collaboration,” Stephenson said. “At the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, we are growing together by equipping students with the knowledge and experiences to shape the future while ensuring our research and extension efforts support Kentucky’s producers and communities every day.”
To show support for its agricultural roots and the communities its personnel serve, the college created a video love letter to Kentucky agriculture. The production showcases the Commonwealth’s leading commodities, livestock and signature industries and how UK advances agriculture through continuous research, education and outreach.
"This video is a tribute to the deep roots and bright future of Kentucky agriculture,” Stephenson said. “We are excited to bring our community together through our Ag Week events that showcase our commitment to Kentucky’s farmers.”
Several agriculture-related events are planned March 24-28 for students when they return from Spring Break. The events, with support from Ag Credit, Farm Credit Mid-America, Kentucky Beef Council and Kentucky Farm Bureau, include:
Tuesday, March 25
- Find New Opportunities: Lunch and Learn with the Office of Undergraduate Research, AgNorth N24F, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
- Alumni Speaker Series: Edwin Carter, former CPS Global Supply Chain Director (VP Level) at The Coca-Cola Co., will speak on “Career Management — How to Manage the Career You Hope to Have.” Cameron Williams Lecture Hall, 1-2 p.m.
- Graduate Preview Night: Joint UK/UT Graduate Student Recruitment event. Learn about facilities, graduate student organizations and resources, and applications. Seay Auditorium and Lobby, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 26
- Collegiate Farm Bureau is hosting movie night, featuring “A World Without Cows.” Kentucky Proud snacks will be provided along with a chance to get a free t-shirt. Seay Auditorium, 6-8 p.m.
Friday, March 28
- Extension/Service Day: Service opportunities at The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky; Campus Kitchen; Water Week; and Big Blue Pantry. Various times.
- Trivia Night: Join students, faculty, staff and alumni for a fun evening and test your ag knowledge. Hosted by Farm Credit Mid-America. Mirror Twin Brewing, 6:30-8 p.m.
Learn more and get involved at http://go.uky.edu/AgWeek.
Follow Martin-Gatton CAFE on social media to learn more about how UK is improving lives: UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment on Facebook; @ukagriculture on Instagram; @UKAgriculture on X (formerly known as Twitter); University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment on LinkedIn; and @UKYAgriculture on YouTube.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.