People

Trevor Claiborn is a 4-H Extension Assistant at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, KY. Trevor, through his character and program “Farmer Brown Tha MC,” has directly engaged more than 10,000 students and parents through in-class presentations, community events, summer programs, church camps, conferences, tours, afterschool programs, and urban gardening workshops. Trevor has led community garden initiatives for 8+ years in Lexington's West End and Northside communities as well as presentations around the country. In Trevor’s free time, he enjoys hiking, creating music, reading, and most importantly, spending time with his family.

About Trevor‘s ee360 Community Action Project

For his ee360 Community Action Project, Trevor seeks to enhance his knowledge of environmental science, and build strong national and international networks to collaborate and create progressive, effective, and inclusive programs in Kentucky and beyond. Because of a lack of representation, historic negative connotations, lack of diversity in decision-making positions, discriminatory practices, and disconnection from green spaces, African Americans, who once made up 15% of farmers in the 1920’s now make up less than 2% of primary farm operators. This group makes up only 4% of degree holders in agriculture as of 2016.

“Hood 2 Farm” addresses this dynamic through partnerships with fellows, community members, and stakeholders, developing culturally conscious audio and video productions and intentional marketing materials to be distributed in target communities, online, and in the classroom. Hood 2 Farm will also offer presentations, community-based workshops, and tours, to encourage black youth to pursue academic and career paths in agriculture and environmental sciences and shrink the academic and economic disparities within agriculture in Kentucky, and eventually nationally.