Interview with Charles H. Gulley, October 1, 1985

Interview Summary

Charles Hendron Gulley was born in 1922, at Camp Dick Robinson in Garrard County, Kentucky. He earned his B.S. degree in Agriculture from the University of Kentucky, and did a limited amount of graduate work. He states that "grew up in an extension family", as one of six children, on a 160-acre farm in Garrard County. His parents were both raised in Madison County, Kentucky, but spent their lives in Garrard County. Gulley recalls that in 1920, his mother read about the new UK Extension programs and wrote to the university, where she asked for a County Agent to come to Garrard County in order to set up youth programs.

Gulley states that he served with the Army Air Force during World War II. He then spent his entire extension career in Fayette County, Kentucky. Gulley was Assistant County Agent for 4-H in Fayette County between 1949 and 1955. He recalls the county's 4-H program, and describes the changes in the Fayette County and central Kentucky over his career. Gulley talks at length about the "farmer/banker tours" through which extension agents traveled to other states to observe new or different farming methods and machinery. He recalls that the practice of baling tobacco in Kentucky began after a visit to North Carolina. He also describes the use of MH-30 (maleic hydrazide) on tobacco. From 1966 until 1967, Gulley was Area Agent as a Weed Specialist. He talks about the problems with the Area System and how it affected morale.

In 1969, Gulley accepted the position of Assistant to Dean Charles Barnhart of UK's College of Agriculture. He talks about the duties and responsibilities of this position, and the early work of county agents to gain the acceptance of farmers. Gulley describes the Extension Council system at the county, district, and state levels. He mentions the Fayette County Purebred Breeders' Association, later the Livestock Improvement Association, formed by Ed Parker in the 1930's and 1940's. He also mentions Parker's development of a civil service retirement program for county agents. He mentions specialists and agents who helped build a solid extension program in Kentucky, including Conrad Feltner, E. S. Good, Bob Wiggington, and Jack McClure. He talks about his wife and family, many of whom are active in extension work. He mentions his professional awards and memberships.

Interview Keyword

Kentucky's Cooperative Extension Service

Interview LC Subject

Gulley, Charles H., 1922- Gulley, Charles H., 1922- --Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History University of Kentucky. Cooperative Extension Service Agriculture

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.