On June 8, University of Kentucky (UK) Extension and UK Ag Equine Programs hosted their annual Farm and Facilities Expo at New Vocation’s Mereworth Farm, in Lexington. Nearly 200 people attended the free event.

"Everyone at New Vocations was very excited that UK Ag Equine Programs chose our Kentucky facility to host their 2017 field day," said New Vocations education and development director Sarah Coleman. “Not only was it wonderful to welcome guests to the farm who may be unfamiliar with our program, it was especially meaningful to be able to show the public just what UK Ag Extension can offer.

"New Vocations at Mereworth Farm has been helped in so many ways by the staff at UK,” she continued. “They have helped us design our barns, assisted in placing our run-in sheds, helped us decipher what weeds and plants we have in our fields, and so much more. What a gift to be able to show the public a facility on which they have had a direct impact.

“We are also deeply grateful to be able to share with attendees our mission of rehabilitating, retraining, and rehoming retired racehorses,” Coleman said. “Many event-goers did not know the service we provide before touring our facility and meeting our horses; we are so thankful for the opportunity to get the word out about how much these horses have left to give once they retire from the track