The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture and Kentucky State University will host natural resource professionals for the 10th biennial Southern Region Water Quality Conference Oct. 23-26 at Lexington’s Holiday Inn North.The conference, themed Racing to Success, aims to strengthen the capacity for all natural resource professionals to develop and deliver successful water quality and water resource programs.“The value of the Southern Region Water Quality Conference is in identifying issues, addressing concerns and building teamwork to strengthen educational programming,” said Bill Thom, UK College of Agriculture Extension environmental soils and water quality specialist and conference chairman. “Professionals from Extension, research and education at all levels come together to exchange educational program successes for all areas of water.” Another goal of the conference is to enhance the working relationships among Extension and other natural resource professionals in all levels, program areas and academic disciplines. The program will target current and potential water quality and environmental issues and provide a forum to exchange ideas.Thom said if natural resource and Extension professionals have the most up-to-date information about water quality they will be able to better serve their clientele.The conference is sponsored by the Extension water quality programs of 13 land grant universities. Professionals from these universities will host workshops, lectures and poster and discussion sessions about water quality issues such as quality drinking water, animal waste lagoon management, volunteer monitoring, storm water phase II runoff, community involvement, and watershed assessment.Participants will also have an opportunity to tour Keeneland Race Course to observe turf and horse muck management. Other tours will focus on watershed management, agricultural pollution control and rural/urban interface.Full conference registration is $290, which includes program materials and several meals. Single day registration is available for Monday, Oct. 24, or Tuesday, Oct. 25, and is $150 per day. For more information about the conference, contact Thom at (859) 257-4633 or visit the conference Web site  to view the program in its entirety.