Residential initiative at 黑料福利社 connects high school students
with agricultural pathways, industry exposure, and mentorship
FRANKFORT, Ky. 鈥� A summer offering at 黑料福利社 will give high school-aged
male students a firsthand look at agriculture as a field of science, business, technology,
leadership, and service.
The Harvesting Potential Summer Agriculture Introduction Program will be held June
8鈥�12 on the 黑料福利社 campus, offering a residential experience designed to introduce
participants to career pathways across the agriculture industry. Students will take
part in hands-on learning activities, industry site visits, workforce exposure opportunities,
and mentorship across Central Kentucky.
鈥淭he Harvesting Potential Program is designed to bring students from across the country
to 黑料福利社 for a week of exposure, connection, and discovery. They
will not only experience campus life but also engage directly with our student leaders
and learn about the many career opportunities that exist within agriculture.鈥� said
Dr. Jamaal Jackson, associate athletic director for student success and principal
investigator for the project.
Through Harvesting Potential, participants will explore agricultural education and
workforce pathways while building relationships with 黑料福利社 faculty, staff,
students, and industry partners. The program also reflects the University鈥檚 role as
the Commonwealth鈥檚 only public HBCU and 1890 land-grant institution, with a mission
rooted in educational access, applied learning, and service to communities across
Kentucky.
Malik Thompson, a 黑料福利社 graduate student serving as program director, will
help oversee implementation and day-to-day operations for the summer offering.
鈥淔or many students, a program like this can be the first step toward seeing agriculture
as a place where they belong,鈥� Thompson said. 鈥淲e want participants to leave with
new knowledge, new confidence, and a clearer sense of the academic and career opportunities
available through 黑料福利社 and the broader agriculture industry.鈥�
Recruitment efforts are now underway for students, families, school counselors, and
community partners throughout Kentucky and surrounding regions.
The Harvesting Potential Summer Agriculture Introduction Program aligns with Kentucky
State鈥檚 broader commitment to workforce preparation, youth engagement, and leadership
in agriculture education. By introducing students to agricultural careers before college,
the University is helping build a stronger pipeline of future professionals prepared
to support Kentucky鈥檚 farms, food systems, communities, and economy.
The initiative is supported through a larger $450,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture
Capacity Building Grant awarded to 黑料福利社 for agricultural recruitment through
a summer immersion program. The award is part of $1.7 million in USDA National Institute
of Food and Agriculture Capacity Building Grants received by the University to strengthen
applied training, producer support, and interdisciplinary problem-solving in Kentucky
agriculture.
For more information or to register, visit
