The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment recently installed a newly improved community classroom. Located in the Wood Utilization Center at the Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability in Quicksand, the classroom will provide new educational opportunities for Kentuckians. 

“Our previous meeting area worked to an extent but didn’t really provide the resources we needed to properly hold classes and training,” said Jeff Stringer, chair of the UK Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. “The new space will provide many more opportunities for continuing education.”  

Daniel Wilson, director of RCARS and the East Region of UK Cooperative Extension , agrees. He and Stringer provided support for the new classroom. 

 “The facility is much needed, and I envision significant use by Cooperative Extension through the region,” Wilson said. 

Named the Bobby J. Ammerman Lecture Hall, the new 80-seat classroom consists of built-in, big-screen televisions, a new projection system, Wi-Fi and a new sound system. It will host extension programs and educational trainings and meetings.    

Ammerman has worked as an extension associate with a focus on wood products for 23 years. He is also the assistant director of RCARS and manages the Wood Utilization Center . 

“It was Bobby’s idea that we turn the existing space into an updated classroom,” Stringer said. “So, with him leading the way, we did a lot of the work ourselves getting everything built and installed. I think the new classroom will be a great area for meetings and learning and will provide so many more opportunities.” 

For more information on the Robinson Center, visit https://rcars.ca.uky.edu/.