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From canning classes and salsa labs to squirrel-cleaning lessons and estate planning seminars, the Daviess County Cooperative Extension Office is quietly impacting thousands of lives across the region — one educational program at a time.
The local office is part of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and serves as a direct link between research-based university knowledge and the public. With agents specializing in agriculture, horticulture, family and consumer science, and youth development through 4-H, the Daviess County team provides a wide range of hands-on learning opportunities for all ages.
“Our mission really comes down to education,” said Clint Hardy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent. “We’re here to connect people with research-based information, but we also listen. We identify local issues and relay those needs back to the university so they can tailor their research and programming to what’s really happening in our community.”
Hardy said much of his time is spent working directly with local farmers, landowners, and agricultural professionals. He also serves as a liaison with Daviess County Farm Bureau and local officials. He’s currently organizing a farm succession and estate planning seminar on July 23 at the Owensboro Convention Center, featuring national experts. He hopes to draw more than 150 participants.
“No matter the size of the farm, planning ahead is vital to keeping families together and farms in business,” Hardy said.
Horticulture education rooted in community
Annette Heisdorffer leads the office’s horticulture education efforts, helping both home gardeners and commercial growers with everything from weed identification to soil testing.
“A lot of what I do right now is answering the question, ‘What’s wrong with my plant?’” Heisdorffer said with a laugh. “This time of year, we get a lot of calls about vegetable gardens and fruit trees. We test soil to check nutrient levels and help people understand what their plants need to thrive.”
She also coordinates the Extension Master Gardener Program, a certification and volunteer training initiative that helps extend her reach into the community. Master Gardeners work on local projects, including the demonstration garden located at the extension office, and serve as ambassadors for science-based horticulture education.
“We also partner with Owensboro Regional Recovery for a recovery garden, which allows gardening to be part of the healing process,” she said.
Residents can find helpful videos and webinars online through the office’s website, including the statewide “Horticulture Webinar Wednesday” series. Heisdorffer is also accepting applications for the next Master Gardener class through August 1.
4-H builds leadership and life skills
For 4-H Agents Stacey Potts and Sharayha Clingenpeel, each day is a new adventure in youth education. They oversee a variety of programs — everything from livestock clubs and art competitions to school enrichment and summer camps.
“4-H is about teaching citizenship, leadership, and life skills,” Potts said. “That might mean helping a kid raise a market lamb or giving them the chance to cook with a professional chef.”
She recently chaperoned students to a 4-H Teen Conference at the University of Kentucky, where one participant cleaned and cooked a squirrel as part of an outdoor survival skills class. Others studied media production and toured KET studios.
Meanwhile, Clingenpeel was busy helping lead a group of nearly 80 campers at 4-H Camp in Dawson Springs.
“Camp is one of the highlights of the summer,” Clingenpeel said. “But I also love getting into schools and teaching nutrition, kitchen safety, or doing art projects tied to the fair. It’s amazing to see a kid light up when they try something new.”
4-H participants can advance their projects to the Kentucky State Fair, and Clingenpeel also helps lead weekly programs at the Owensboro Regional Farmers’ Market in the summer.
“We focus on helping kids develop confidence and independence,” she said. “Even learning to use a real knife safely can be a big milestone.”
Life skills for adults and families
Katherine Alexander, the Family and Consumer Science Agent, focuses on adult education in food safety, budgeting, health, and wellness. She leads canning classes, couponing workshops, and green cleaning sessions, while also testing home pressure canners free of charge.
“I’ve always loved nutrition, but what I enjoy most is helping people,” Alexander said. “Every class is different, and I love being out in the community.”
She also facilitates “Wits Workout,” a brain health and memory support program for older adults. The group meets to complete word games and activities designed to improve cognitive function and encourage socialization.
“It’s about keeping minds sharp and staying connected,” she said. “It’s helpful even for people in the early stages of memory loss.”
A shared mission of service
Whether it’s helping a young camper learn to canoe, a gardener revive their tomatoes, or a landowner make decisions about the future of their farm, each agent is united by a common purpose: providing meaningful, locally relevant education.
“There’s a lot of information online, but there’s nothing like having someone local who understands the conditions here,” Heisdorffer said.
For more information about upcoming classes, events, or services offered by the Daviess County Cooperative Extension Office, visit daviess.ca.uky.edu.
