Sidney Knickel is a senior Agricultural Ecosystem Sciences major from Marion, OH

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What advice would you offer an incoming freshman in the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment?

My advice would be to take every opportunity you possibly can because you don’t know where it will take you. Go to different events, meet new people, try out new clubs, and get involved. College is the place to make connections and experience things that you wouldn’t have got to otherwise. Coming to the UK college of Ag is one of the best decisions I have made and I am beyond grateful for the opportunities provided and the community I have found within.




Tell us about the city of Lexington. What surprised you? What places/people do you like most?

Lexington is full of sites to see and events to attend and I try to do new things as often as I can. I love to try new restaurants and do things local to Kentucky. On weekends I enjoy attending races at Keeneland, visting The Horse Park for events like Southern Lights and cheering on the cats at sporting events. I was surprised with how much this town as to offer and there is always something new and exciting to try.

Why did you choose your program, and/or how does (did) your program contribute to your career goals?

I chose Agriculture Ecosystem Sciences because it allows me to choose the areas of the agriculture I am most interested in and build my major. Having the freedom and opportunities to take classes that represent what I want to do after graduation has been more than beneficial to my education. The broad array of classes I have taken has allowed me to receive minors in three different areas including Agriculture Economic, Plant and Soil Science and Animal Sciences. This major has opened my eyes to different pathways I might choose upon graduating since I started college not knowing what specific area of agriculture I wanted to pursue a career in.




Tell us about your favorite professor, advisor, or other member of the UK family that has been especially impactful during your college career.

My favorite member of the UK family is my manager at the meats lab, Brock Billingsley. I showed an interest in working in the meats lab early this year and Brock was more than willing to welcome me to the team. He has shown me techniques, all the ways meat is processed and the ins and outs of operating a meat lab. I absolutely love going into work everyday and look forward to what new things I get to learn.







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