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Since Kentucky State University opened its West Regional Extension Office in Bowling Green in 2022, the office has continued to expand in personnel and impact.

This year, Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension agents played significant roles at county fairs and at the Kentucky State Fair.

“KSU agents worked alongside UK agents and a host of volunteers to ensure 15 county fairs as well as the state fair had an abundance of exhibits and ran smoothly,” said Janey Cline, West Regional Extension Director.

Jacob Hall, Area 4-H Youth Development Agent, judged multiple categories, such as artwork and dairy, at the State Fair and at county fairs in Hart, Barren, Metcalfe, Hancock, Warren, and Edmonson Counties.

Angela Swihart, Hancock County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Science Education, judged multiple categories, such as needlework and florals, at the State Fair and at county fairs in Hancock and Edmonson Counties.

Mason Crawford, Community Outreach Coordinator in Hardin County, judged categories such as poultry at the State Fair and at county fairs in Hardin and LaRue Counties. He also worked with the Kentucky State University aquaculture team to construct the aquaponics system in Kentucky State’s AgLand exhibit.

Danny Adams, Small Farms Assistant in Wayne County, collected hay to be judged in the Wayne County Fair Hay Growers contest.

Kim Harriford, Extension Life and Work Educator, judged County Ham speeches at the Kentucky State Fair and worked in Kentucky State’s AgLand exhibit.

Megan Treadway, Area Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, judged categories at county fairs in Logan, Hart, Hancock and Edmonson Counties. She also gave a pawpaw ice cream demonstration with Sheri Crabtree on the Farm to Fair cooking stage at the Kentucky State Fair. 

Chandra DeRamus, FCS Extension Agent in Hardin County, worked in Kentucky State’s AgLand exhibit.

Bridgett Poteet, Area 4-H Youth Development Agent, judged categories at the Allen County Fair. She was integral to the addition of numerous first-time 4-H activities, such as a pet show, cupcake wars, Lego competition, fashion show, lawnmower driving, and grilling and baking competitions, to the Edmonson County Fair.

Tyler London, Area Agent in Agriculture Technology, helped set up and judged categories at county fairs in Metcalfe, Hart, Hancock Warren, and LaRue Counties. At the State Fair, he served on the livestock team and worked in Kentucky State’s AgLand exhibit.

Lindsay Heyvaert, Small Farm Area Agent, helped set up and judged categories at county fairs in Warren and Edmonson Counties, and she judged categories at the State Fair.

Nolan Pettit, McLean County 4-H Extension Agent, contributed to county fairs in Davis and McLean Counties.

Rebecca Woodall, Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, worked in Kentucky State’s AgLand exhibit.

Stefaine Back, Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development, worked with a team from Magoffin County who participated in the Kentucky State Fair Horticulture Contest.

Dozens of 4-H entries were submitted to the State Fair and to county fairs from counties where Kentucky State has 4-H agents: McLean, Magoffin and Edmonson.

“A county fairs brings families, communities, and state leaders together to instill community pride in the citizens of the commonwealth and have fun while doing so,” Cline said.

For more information about Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension in western Kentucky, contact Janey Cline at janey.cline@kysu.edu.