My name is Brittani Kirkland and I am a graduate student at Oklahoma State University. I am pursuing a Master's degree in Animal Science with a focus in Equine Extension Education.

 

I received my Bachelor's degree from UF in May of 2015. My degree was in Animal Sciences with an emphasis in the Equine Industry and a minor in Agricultural Communication.

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Currently, I am serving as a graduate student in the Department of Animal and Food Science where I have served as teaching assistant for Equine Training, Pet and Companion Animal Management, and Animal Genetics. My research focus is on Extension Partnerships for Large Animal Disaster Preparedness for wildfires in Oklahoma. Additionally, I am working on an Equine Behavior study that seeks to identify how the general public evaluates equine behavior compared to those with animal experience. 

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I am also heavily involved in all Equine Extension at Oklahoma State University. I help with numerous adult and youth programs, assisting with both curriculum development and implementation. I work with youth programs that increase STEM education related to equine science and try to focus my attention on connecting youth to science through horses. With adult programing, I work to try and reach those who do not traditionally impacted by animal science, but deal with livestock. For example, those in law enforcement who do not necessarily have knowledge about livestock, but interact with them regularly due to welfare issues and dangerous situations on the roads. 

 

Hometown: LaCrosse, FL. I grew up in a small town on a family-owned Quarter Horse farm. There I helped raise and train horses while being homeschooled until the 9th grade when I began attending Santa Fe High School in Alachua, Florida.  I now reside in Gainesville, FL. 

 

 

Favorite part of Agriculture: My favorite thing about agriculture is the community that it provides. It joins a group of people together, with the same dreams and passions, to work together for a common goal. It is like a big happy family, and it is one that I will always want to be a part of. 

 

 

Career Goals: I would love the opportunity to work in local or international Extension programing, aiding in the spread of agricultural knowledge throughout communities and the world.