Even as 13-year-old Zoey Ortega grew more passionate about riding horses, she never expected a future in agriculture. Now a junior at the University of Kentucky, Ortega studies community and leadership development, is a student ambassador and recently joined the news team on the Agricultural Communications Services as a student intern.

In her hometown of Walnut Creek, California, Ortega was introduced to horseback riding at a local stable. She immersed herself immediately, wanting to learn and grow as much as possible. She spent most of her time outside of school at the barn, and her love for riding and horses only increased.

“I feel like it's so hard to put into words,” Ortega said. “I love riding horses, but I also love spending time with them. I love the lifestyle and the community.”

When it came time to explore colleges, Ortega couldn’t think of anything she would rather study than equine science. With the guidance of Savannah Robin, lecturer in UK Ag Equine Programs, Ortega came to UK in hopes of turning her passion into a career.

After taking general agriculture classes, speaking with professors and learning on her own, Ortega found a deeper appreciation for agriculture. She switched her major to community and leadership development and has chased multiple opportunities, with the goal of broadening her understanding and area of learning.

“Moving so far from home can obviously be really nerve-wracking and that was definitely true for me,” Ortega said. “I feel like I have been able to find my perfect niche in terms of academics and community, and that is such a great feeling.”

Zoey has grown her community outside the classroom through her involvement in many on-campus organizations. This is her first semester as an MG-CAFE student ambassador and AFE 100 peer instructor, where she supports freshmen entering the college.

“Since coming to UK, Zoey has displayed a passion to absorb as much information and experiences as she can in exploring the multiple facets of agriculture,” Robin said. “When I saw this internship with our Ag Communications team, I felt like this would be an important opportunity for her to apply her skills and dive into a new skill set, where she could be the catalyst to tell the story of what we do here in M-G CAFE."

After hearing Robin’s recommendation, Ortega was quick to jump on this opportunity. She is excited to be a member of the team and support the college. She looks forward to meeting new people, growing her skillset, and amplifying the events, stories and voices of agriculture.

To learn more about M-G CAFE, visit https://www.ca.uky.edu. Visit the college’s news and stories at news.ca.uky.edu.

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The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.