JOANNA COLES

Joanna Coles was raised on a small tobacco, game bird and vegetable farm in northern Logan County. After graduating from the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in animal science, she began working as an agriculture agent at the UK Cooperative Extension Office in Warren County, where she remains. She received her master’s degree in agriculture from Western Kentucky University in 2003. She and her husband, Jarrod, operate Wiggleton Creek Farms and have two children, Jenna and Jace.

First of all, what does an extension agent do these days, and what is the most important task for the office as a whole?

Extension agents serve as the local front door to the University of Kentucky. We bring research-based information through educational programs and services to make a difference in the lives of people in our communities. Our audience is all-encompassing, with focus on agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development and community and economic development.

An extension agent’s day is filled with variation. From being in the field with a farmer developing a grazing plan, answering questions about keeping backyard chickens, teaching a grain marketing workshop, enhancing leadership skills in volunteers or helping a small farm business with marketing and business planning. My co-workers are helping a mother develop meal plans on a budget, teaching healthy living workshops, answering questions about a sick shrub or ladybug invasion, helping a 10-year-old with a robotics project or teaching nutrition in the schools.

Why has that been your chosen career path?

Being an extension agent, for me, is truly an instance of where my passion meets my career. My agricultural roots run deep. At 5 years old, I remember riding the tobacco setter helping my parents. Now my husband and I operate a farm with our children. I believe in the land grant mission of the University of Kentucky. Teaching, research and extension to improve the quality of life is vitally important for all Kentuckians. Farm families are an inspiring, hardworking, faithful, family-oriented group, and I am fortunate to serve as the link that connects the university to the community.

What is agriculture’s economic impact in southcentral Kentucky?

Agriculture plays a large role in the economic impact of southcentral Kentucky. The total value of ag product sales in the 10-county (Barren River Area Development District) area was $698,463,000 in 2012. In Warren county alone, the total value of ag product sales were $114,902,000. There are 1,648 farm operations in Warren County farming more than 71 percent of the total land area in the county. 

Breaking it down, the largest figure of $134,920,000 is in Logan County. Figures elsewhere include: Allen County, $53,268,000; Barren County, $113,031,000; Butler County, $42,426,000; Edmonson County, $20,229,000; Hart County, $33,504,000; Metcalfe County, $35,044,000; Monroe County, $77,256,000; and Simpson County, $73,883,000.

While not part of your job, 4-H and FFA are related to agriculture. How can they stay relevant in today’s society?

Youth participants in 4-H and FFA are a bright part of agriculture’s future. These young people are learning valuable life skills, enhancing leadership potential and developing a network that benefits their future. Even if these youths do not go into production agriculture as a career, they are learning valuable knowledge to advocate for agriculture.

Tell me about the extension office’s plans to relocate and when that might happen.

The extension district board has been saving for an expansion/building plan for the last 10 years. The board has an offer on some property on Russellville Road. Over the next year, we plan to work on designing a facility to meet the needs of the community and educational programs/services. Once plans are developed, fundraising and financing options will be explored and building will begin when funding is secured.

How do you spend your time outside the office?

When not at work, you can usually find me at our farm, Wiggleton Creek Farms in Auburn. We raise beef cattle, hay, chickens, high tunnel vegetables, fruits and two kids on our farm. I love to cook and teach the kids about preserving the harvest out of our garden. Besides farming, I do like to travel, take pictures and fish. Our family is also involved in our church activities at Hillvue Heights.

What is a good book to educate people about agriculture, either fiction or non-fiction?

“No More Food Fights” by Michele Payn-Knoper is a good book that highlights the connection between farm and plate.