Today's world needs professionals to be prepared to solve global challenges related to agribusiness, climate change, a safe and reliable food supply, protection of natural resources, improved nutrition, public health, and alternative energy sources. Kentucky State University's College of Agriculture, Food Science, and Sustainable Systems strives to educate young people about the agriculture industry, the latest advancements in technology and research, and to get them interested in the wide variety of careers available in the agricultural and environmental sciences. Extension Associate Ken Thompson continues a program funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute for Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) Capacity Building Grant that pairs Kentucky State University with high schools across Kentucky to build aquaponics systems in the schools to engage students in aquaculture education. Building these continuing, longitudinal relationships with schools, Thompson hopes to create a pipeline from the university's service counties to KYSU. The Aquaculture Research Center will open its doors in summer 2018 to these high school students and their families as well as the local community for a day of tours and exciting activities. Stay up to date at www.kysu.edu/ag.

Extension agents in Jefferson County have partnered with a local Boys and Girls Club to present nutrition education using the U.S. Department of Agriculture's MyPlate curriculum. Following the USDA's Dietary Guidelines, MyPlate represents healthy eating from all five major food groups: grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy and protein. Members of the Boys and Girls Club also learn about the role physical activity plays in overall health by doing exercises together with Extension staff. In hands-on class sessions ranging from six to eight weeks in length, participants learn about the nutritional value and health benefits associated with each of the five food groups. Extension agents Stephen Lewis and Emma Robinson have also worked with local divisions of the Boys and Girls Club by providing after school programming and building garden beds for arts and gardening programs.