Ashley Best grew up in Dalton, Ga., where she developed a love for horses and agriculture from her high school agricultural education classes. She is a graduate from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education. Ashley received her master’s degree from the University of Missouri in Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership. She taught high school agriculture for six years before transitioning into extension. Learn more about the UGA Extension in Newton County.
Focused on creating more resources for equine owners from the University of Georgia, Ashley developed a national award winning newsletter called The Leading Rein. She is also a state winner for her equine programming called Elevated Equine.
Additionally, she has a homeowner series called Best Practices. In 2023, she worked on organic production presentations to assist the growing organic producers in Newton County.
Ashley enjoys all aspects of horses. She is an avid barrel racer, likes to ride English and jump with her horses, as well as trail riding. She currently owns two horses, a donkey, and a goat that thinks she is a horse. Her other hobbies include spending time with her family and other pets, making mohair horse tack, as well as traveling.