Press Releases

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture's 2016 interim employees are, from left: Ruth Ann Myers, Boyle County; Cramer Schneider, Scott County; Rebecca Mackey, Hardin County; Jessica Murch, Henderson County; John Hughes, Rockcastle County; Darilyn Browning, Spencer County; Dillon Harper, Anderson County; Matt McReynolds, Calloway County; Thomas Matt Wilson, Graves County; Ryan Halligan, Franklin County; Sarah Reynolds, Jefferson County; Elizabeth Gayle Hereford, Estill County; MacKenzie Jones, Franklin County; and Mary Elizabeth Wood, Franklin County. At right is Kyle Kelly, assistant to Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles. (Kentucky Department of Agriculture photo)

 

Kentucky college students will work for state ag department this summer

 

For Immediate Release
Friday, June 3, 2016
For more information contact:
Angela Blank
(502) 573-0450

 

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Fourteen Kentucky college students will serve the Kentucky Department of Agriculture as interim employees this summer, Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles announced on Wednesday.

“This is a great program for the students as well as the department,” Commissioner Quarles said. “The students are getting valuable work experience that will serve them throughout their careers. The department is getting productivity from bright, hard-working, enthusiastic students who are going to be tomorrow’s farmers, employees, entrepreneurs, and leaders.”

The interim employees are listed below along with their home counties, universities, and work assignments at the department:

• Darilyn Browning, Spencer County, University of Kentucky, Office of Agricultural Marketing and Product Promotion/Division of Show and Fair Promotion
• Ryan Halligan, Franklin County, University of Kentucky, Commissioner’s Office and Office of Consumer and Environmental Protection
• Dillon Harper, Anderson County, Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Commissioner’s Office/Division of Public Relations
• Elizabeth Gayle Hereford, Estill County, Morehead State University, Office of Consumer and Environmental Protection/Division of Food Distribution (Farm to School Program)
• John Hughes, Rockcastle County, University of the Cumberlands, Office of Agricultural Marketing and Product Promotion/Industrial Hemp Program
• MacKenzie Jones, Franklin County, Murray State University, Office of the State Veterinarian
• Rebecca Mackey, Hardin County, Murray State University, Office of Agricultural Marketing and Product Promotion/Farm and Home Safety Program
• Matt McReynolds, Calloway County, Murray State University, Office of Consumer and Environmental Protection/Division of Regulation and Inspection
• Jessica Murch, Henderson County, Murray State University, Office of Consumer and Environmental Protection/Division of Food Distribution (Junior Chef Program)
• Ruth Ann Myers, Boyle County, University of Kentucky, Commissioner’s Office/Hunger Initiative
• Sarah Reynolds, Jefferson County, University of Kentucky Patterson School of Diplomacy, Office of Agricultural Marketing and Product Promotion/Division of International Marketing
• Cramer Schneider, Scott County, Morehead State University, Commissioner’s Office and Division of Agriculture Education and Outreach
• Thomas Matt Wilson, Graves County, Murray State University, Office of Consumer and Environmental Protection/Pesticide Division
• Mary Elizabeth Wood, Franklin County, University of Kentucky, Office of Agricultural Marketing and Product Promotion

The Office of Consumer and Environmental Protection checks fuel pumps and price scanners for accuracy, tests motor fuel for octane and impurities, inspects amusement rides, licenses Kentucky pesticide applicators, and performs many other regulatory functions. It also administers the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s food distribution programs in Kentucky. The Office of Agricultural Marketing and Product Promotion operates the Kentucky Proud, Farm and Home Safety, Show and Fair Promotion, International Marketing, and Agriculture Education programs. The Office of the State Veterinarian protects Kentucky’s livestock herds from foreign animal disease and controls outbreaks when they occur.

Many past interim employees have gone on to careers with the department and other agriculture organizations and businesses.