As I am wrapping up my first day on the job with the Clark County Cooperative Extension Service, I would like to take an opportunity to introduce myself to the residents of Clark County.

My name is Clay Stamm and I grew up on a family farm in Lewis County where we raised beef cattle, horses, hay, a family garden and, in my early years, tobacco.

Both of my grandfathers were farmers along with my father so I come from an agricultural-based family. When it was time for me to choose my field of study and career path, agriculture just made sense.

I still help my dad farm when I can. We have a small cow-calf beef herd together and bale all of our own hay supply for that herd.

Although I do not get to assist with the herd as much as I used to, there is something about it that will not let me give it up. The satisfaction of working with family to create a successful business, whether that is agriculture-based or some other enterprise, is hard to replace.

I have also had beef cattle on my own. For the past three years, I have backgrounded feeder cattle on pasture. This was a great learning experience to broaden my beef cattle knowledge beyond the cow-calf herd.

I was able to acquire more in-depth agricultural knowledge as an agricultural education major at Morehead State University.

While I was a student, I studied in a variety of agricultural classes and was active in a variety of student organizations.

Even in college, I could not seem to get away from the farm. I was lucky enough to be able to live on the Derrickson Agricultural Complex, more commonly known as the university farm. This was another great opportunity to broaden my agricultural skills as I was exposed to horses, cattle, sheep and pigs on a daily basis while living and working on the farm. I graduated from there in the fall of 2013.

After graduation, I began work with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service as an agent for agriculture and natural resources and 4-H and youth development in Nicholas County. I served in that position for the past three years.

I am really looking forward to my work duties as an agricultural and natural resources agent in Clark County.

I will predominantly work with clientele in the areas of livestock, forages, and wildlife and natural resources. It will be a much more specific role than I have been used to, but I am very excited about this, as these areas of agriculture are my main interest.

Feel free to come to the Extension Office to visit with me, give me a call or have me come out to your farm for a visit.

I may not know the answers to all your questions, but I promise I will try as hard as I can to find those answers for you.

I am looking forward to putting programs together and working with each and every one of you in the future.

Clay Stamm is the Clark County Cooperative Extension Service agent for agriculture and natural resources.