PREVIOUS: A zoo employee speaks to the AgDiscovery class in the Islands Exhibit at Louisville Zoological Gardens in Louisville, Kentucky, on June 9, 2022. ABOVE: The 2022 Kentucky AgDiscovery class received a private educational tour at Louisville Zoological Gardens in Louisville, Kentucky, on June 9, 2022. RIGHT: The 2022 Kentucky AgDiscovery class visited Bluegrass Stockyards in Lexington, Kentucky, on June 6, 2022. | Photos by Jonathan Palmer

Through AgDiscovery, high school students have the opportunity to get hands-on experience in animal science and veterinary medicine.

And, in some cases, have a bird land on their head at the Louisville Zoo.

The two-week residential camp is packed with lab and research projects, workshops, and site visits. The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) partners with universities, including Kentucky State, to host AgDiscovery. High school students in grades 9-12 are eligible to apply. “AgDiscovery is important because it allows its participants to learn about the agricultural industry and get hands-on experience while in the program,” said Danielle Kinder, 4-H Youth Development Extension Area Agent at Kentucky State University.

“AgDiscovery is important because it allows its participants to learn about the agricultural industry and get hands-on experience while in the program,” said Danielle Kinder, 4-H Youth Development Extension Area Agent at Kentucky State University.

Kinder attended AgDiscovery when she was a sophomore in high school, which was “a huge eye opener.” She had plans to be a veterinarian, but AgDiscovery helped her realize that wasn’t what she wanted. But the camp showed her other options— “a variety of careers I could pursue that did not require me to be a veterinarian but would still allow me to work with animals.” She also formed relationships with Dr. John Hollis of USDA APHIS and with Dr. Travella Free, former program coordinator at Kentucky State.

wanted. But the camp showed her other options—"a variety of careers I could pursue that did not require me to be a veterinarian but would still allow me to work with animals." She also formed relationships with Dr. John Hollis of USDA APHIS and with Dr. Travella Free, former program coordinator at Kentucky State.

“If it wasn’t for these relationships and the employment opportunities through the AgDiscovery Program, I would not

She enjoyed AgDiscovery so much that she returned as a counselor in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2022; in 2019, she was the Program/Research Assistant.

"One of the best things I always remember about AgDiscovery, both as a participant and as a staffer, is the relationships that the participants make," Kinder said. "The program provides a plethora of knowledge but also gives the students numerous opportunities to network."

Many 2022 attendees emphasized the relationships formed at AgDiscovery—and the relationships that make the agriculture industry work.

Through AgDiscovery, Laura Ponce-Jiménez of Louisville learned that “communication is key.”

“Working together as a group is something that’s going to come a lot in whatever career you’re trying to focus on,” Laura said.

Daniella Cruz-Lopez, a 2022 attendee from Puerto Rico, was surprised by how much teamwork is required in the agriculture industry.

“It looks like such a solitary thing from far away,” Daniella said. “But when you’re in it, it’s a group thing. Everybody depends on everybody.” Aiden Barnes, from Olathe, Kansas, said the interpersonal relationships formed at AgKnowledge were great—but so were the dissections.

Aiden Barnes, from Olathe, Kansas, said the interpersonal relationships formed at AgKnowledge were great— but so were the dissections.

Getting hands-on experience and visiting farms and other agricultural locations was a valuable experience, Aiden said. Like for Kinder, AgDiscovery shaped Aiden's thoughts on his future career.

“I’ve learned that there’s always something else that might pique your interest that you never thought would,” Aiden said.

Before AgDiscovery, Aiden didn’t know what being a pathologist was— but after seeing that “it’s a really, really cool job,” Aiden might become one someday.

Laura also became interested in pathology, even though she came into AgDiscovery thinking she wanted to work with large animals.

“AgDiscovery helped me find what career fits me best,” Laura said.

AgDiscovery also helps students make a plan for their next several years, even before going to vet school. Megan Lashkar from Wisconsin said AgDiscovery showed her that she can start shadowing veterinarians and getting volunteer hours now. Hope Smith, who visited Kentucky for the first time from East Orange, New Jersey, said AgDiscovery has helped her better prepare for vet school.

“They’re really telling us how to get into a vet school,” Hope said. “Vet schools are really competitive... so it’s really nice that they’ve given us this information to help us get a leg up on it.”

For more information about AgDiscovery, contact Danielle Kinder at danielle.kinder@kysu.edu.