Raised in rural Lincoln County, Rick received a B.S. in Agriculture with a major in Horticulture from UK in 1983. Since that time he has completed graduate school at the University of Florida, been involved in postdoctoral work at the University of Georgia and the University of Illinois, and was a faculty member in the Department of Plant and Soil Science at Texas Tech University. Rick says, "The opportunity to come back home to the bluegrass was just too appealing to pass up."

Dr. Durham has an Extension appointment as a consumer horticulture specialist. In that role he will be working alongside other Extension personnel to provide information to Kentuckians regarding horticulture in and around the home. Look for him to become active in activities at the UK-Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Arboretum Park. You may also hear him talking about horticulture on the radio or see him on TV.

Rick also teaches in the undergraduate program in Plant and Soil Science. He teaches PLS 220, Introduction to Plant Identification, during fall semesters.