The 2007-2008 University of Kentucky Ag Ambassadors recently received the 2008 Excellence in Agricultural Literacy and/or Communications Award. The award was presented during the National Agricultural Ambassadors Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina, and recognized the UK group's outstanding work with National Ag Day. This annual day is set aside to promote various sectors of the agriculture industry that impact the daily lives of Americans - from the corn for tortilla chips to the cotton used for clothing.
The Ambassadors are all students in degree programs in the College of Agriculture and/or School of Human Environmental Sciences. School of HES students serving for 2007/2008 include Deena Cotteril, Merchandising, Apparel and Textiles; Cara Drury, Merchandising, Apparel and Textiles; and Karima Samadi, Dietetics. Additional information about the group is available on their website.
Two faculty members from within the College serve as advisors to the group. Dr. Donna Smith, Associate Professor in Family Studies, was recently named to serve in this capacity. Jason Headrick, Director of Student Relations, shared his excitement at Dr. Smith's willingness to serve, ""As the staff advisor for the College of Agriculture Ambassadors, I think it's important to allow our top faculty the chance to work with these students. We are excited to bring on Dr. Donna Smith as the HES faculty advisor."