Letcher County is now home to the only raptor rehabilitation center in southeastern Kentucky.  The new facility opened last month at the Letcher county extension office, and will serve as a home for injured and recovering birds of prey rescued throughout the region.  At the ribbon cutting ceremony in early March, Letcher countians got to tour the new center, and meet some of the county’s newest feathered friends. 

Photo: Five-year-old Joshua Adams poses with Letcher County Agent Jason Brashear and the injured screech owl Joshua rescued.  The bird is now staying at the raptor rehabilitation center and will be released back into the wild when ready.

It’s been an unusually mild winter here in the mountains, and many are wondering how this will affect our growing season.  On Friday, February 17, growers from throughout the region came together to discuss this and more at the east Kentucky fruit and vegetable conference. The day-long conference was held at the Letcher county extension office, and was the first time the Letcher office has ever hosted such an event.  Shad Baker, the Letcher county extension agent for agriculture, worked with the UK office and extension services in Harlan, Perry, Knott and Pike to put the day together, which consisted of six different workshop sessions, presentations, demonstrations and more.