At the recent 2025 Kentucky State Extension Conference, a joint event by the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Cooperative Extension Service and Kentucky State University, hundreds of extension agents, specialists and staff came together to embrace the deep, locally rooted extension mission—improving the lives of Kentuckians in all 120 counties.

Themed “Connect, Cultivate and Celebrate,” the conference was an opportunity for extension professionals to discuss, showcase and recognize how extension efforts are tackling the biggest challenges in Kentucky communities and delivering important results for the people they serve.

During the opening remarks, Laura Stephenson, vice president for land-grant engagement and dean of Martin-Gatton CAFE, shared extension’s responsibility to Kentucky communities and counties.

“In nearly every Kentucky community, our extension professionals are on the ground, listening to the concerns and challenges of our farmers, families, businesses and industries,” said Stephenson. “Our deep local connections ensure that the research produced in our college is impactful and directly serves the needs of Kentuckians. We work side-by-side with Kentuckians to address the most pressing needs in our communities.” 

Awards Ceremony 

During the conference’s award ceremony, UK agents and specialists who went above and beyond in advancing extension’s mission were recognized. 

The Patricia Brantley Todd Awards of Excellence, recognizing individuals who demonstrate excellence in impactful service and innovation within their respective roles, were awarded to: 

• Sarah Fannin, county director at the Morgan County Extension Office 
• Katherine Jury, family health senior extension specialist in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences 
• Janet Turley, 4-H youth development extension agent at Warren County Extension Office 
• Extension professionals were selected for the Wills Extension Leadership Development Award to support professional opportunities—receiving funds to support their participation in structured leadership programs or professional development conferences that will enhance their work. The five recognized were: 
• Katie Alexander, Daviess County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences 
• David Fourqurean, McLean County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources/4-H Youth Development 
• Kim Leonberger, Extension Associate, Department of Plant Pathology 
• Sharee Schoonover, Livingston County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development 
• John David Tucker, Hickman County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources 

The Kentucky Association of State Extension Professionals (KASEP) also presented five awards, which included: 

• Outstanding Extension Program, awarded to Bethany Pratt, Extension specialist for food systems, and Nicole Breazeale, associate professor in Community and Leadership Development for their work creating gardens to help with substance use recovery across 28 counties. 
• Outstanding Extension Project awarded to Nichole Huff and team, for their work on the PROFIT project in developing innovative online training programs to help community-based educators and healthcare providers gain knowledge, reduce stigma and enhance recovery for substance use disorders. 
• Outstanding Extension Specialist, awarded to Alexis Sheffield, extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture, for her work in enhancing the Center for Crop Diversification’s statewide collaboration with counties, strengthening mentorship and improving service to Kentucky’s specialty crop community. 
• Outstanding Extension Associate, awarded to Anna Cason, extension senior associate in the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, for her work improving food and nutrition-related materials, resources and programs for county agents. 
• M.D. Whitaker Award for Extension Excellence, awarded to Julie Zimmerman, professor in Community and Leadership Development, for her continued dedication and commitment to extension programming, services and planning centered around demographics and secondary data used in local decision-making.

“By working together, we will continue to build a stronger, healthier and more prosperous Kentucky,” Stephenson said. “Together, let’s continue to improve the lives of all Kentuckians.” 

To learn more about the UK Cooperative Extension Service, visit http://extension.ca.uky.edu. 

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Writer: Christopher Carney, Christopher.Carney@uky.edu  

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.