Skip to main
University-wide Navigation
It's Go Time

Turn what you love into what you do.

Grow Kentucky’s Future. 

Begin Yours Today.

You’re ready to learn by doing; turning what you care about into a meaningful career – one that feeds communities, strengthens industries and shapes Kentucky’s future. 

At UK’s Martin-Gatton of Agriculture, Food and Environment, your journey begins with Big Blue Nation Orientation. 

Orientation is required for all new UK students and is your first step as a Kentucky Wildcat. You’ll connect with faculty and advisors, learn about academic expectations, plan your Fall '26 schedule and discover campus resources that will help you achieve greater success.  

Confirm your spot by May 1 and join a college built for impact. 

Confirm Your Spot


What You Need to Do Next

  • Activate your linkblue account to access your student portal 
  • Set up your UKY email to receive important updates and next steps 
Students and professor on a field experience

200+
Academic Programs
600+
Student Organizations
16
Degree Granting Colleges
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio

This is the best of both worlds. I love being in the city because you have connections and opportunities, like if I wanted to get an internship. But being in environmental science, you want to be close to nature. I think Lexington is just such a good place because you can drive 30 minutes away and go to a place that feels like you're in the middle of nowhere.

Callie Black, '26 Natural Resources and Environmental Science
Welcome to your new Kentucky homeLexington, KY
speckled white texture

Welcome to your new Kentucky Home

Lexington is a vibrant, friendly, and safe community nestled in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region that has all the amenities of a bustling city, and all the charm of a small town.

We’re within a day’s drive of two-thirds of the country’s population, or a quick flight from our Blue Grass Airport—making it close enough for an easy trip home, but far enough to keep your parents from trying to visit every weekend.

Learn more on VisitLEX

"The Perfect College Town" - a collage of images depicting students at events in Lexington.

We're not the only ones who think so

#15
Best Place To Live In The USA

U.S. News And World Report (2024-25)

#1
Most Tourist-Friendly City in the United States

Conde Nast Traveler (2025)

#10
South's Best Cities

Southern Living (2025)

#8
Best Small Cities in the U.S.

Conde Nast Traveler (2025)

Being from Kentucky, UK was always a big option for me when it came to where I would attend college. UK was always top of the list - they have a good agriculture program, which being born and raised in agriculture, was right up my alley.

Weston Wolf, '26 Agricultural Economics