MSU Extension Ingham County

Jermo Reese, is a native of Lexington, Kentucky. Jermo spent his childhood working alongside his grandfather on a local Thoroughbred farm, where his love of horses was cultivated. In 2004, Jermo moved to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a career in photography. While photographing a client, a conversation about horse behavior and training came up. With his background of working with thoroughbreds, he shared his experiences with horses with the client and offered assistance. Jermo spent the next several years in Acton, CA. where he worked with different breeds of horses he had never worked with, such as Draft, Quarter, and Arabians. Interacting and learning these new breeds, Reese was also taught a new aspect of working with horses in relation to groundwork, joint up, and other training techniques, most importantly the philosophy of a horse’s cognizance. Reese enjoyed his learning experiences, and it was confirmed that working with horses was in his blood. After 2 ½ years of working with the client’s horses, Reese went back to Los Angeles with new skills and was blessed with another venture for a year working in a small horse community in Compton, CA.

In September 2015, Reese moved back to Lexington after the passing of his grandfather as a comfort to his widowed grandmother. During his first week back, there was a news story regarding a man who was being indicted for recruiting gang members. Reese, being raised in this city, pondered what was becoming of the times and how he could promote change. Later, while meditating in the room his grandfather Frank passed in, Reese was drawn to a hand-painted portrait of his grandfather working as a ring handler, “Green Coat,” painted by one of his uncles. During that moment Reese asked, “Granddaddy, what are you trying to tell me?” In that instance, Frankie’s Corner Little Thoroughbred Crusade (FCLTC) was born. FCLTC is a non-profit organization that introduces youth and young adults to hand-on equine education. While volunteering at the Lexington Agriscience high school, the principal at the time noticed how students flocked to him while he was teaching about equine. Dr. DeMott and her staff encouraged Jermo to return to school to get his teaching license. Jermo took the staff up their advice, however, being a non-traditional student he wanted to test the waters. Reese took courses at Bellarmine University and University of Southern Florida focused in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Later, Jermo enrolled in multiple community colleges to speed up his academic journey, eventually transferring to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, majoring in Agricultural Education.

Through Jermo’s educational journey he has adopted a few quotes. “Be the change you want to see in the world.” – Gandhi

“You must not be fearful what you are doing when it is right” - Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks inspired Jermo to find a way to get in the way, to get in trouble… good trouble, necessary trouble” - John Lewis

“Because every child deserves a chance at life changing experience” -Jermo Reese

Reese shares these quotes with youth and young adults that he encounters in the community as motivation, that it is never too late to pivot in life to make a positive change.