Ryan Quarles is making the transition crops in the field to students in the classroom

In just a few weeks Ryan Quarles will go from heading the state’s top agricultural agency to leading a primary postsecondary education system.

Quarles starts his new job as president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System January first. He is wrapping up eight years of heading the State Department of Agriculture. The Scott County native said he wants to solve, quote, “workforce development issues in Kentucky.”