How University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Works
Cooperative Extension is the University of Kentucky's link to every county in the state. It takes university research and puts it in the hands of farmers, families, gardeners and young people through local offices, county agents and programs such as 4-H. If you show livestock, grow a garden, run a farm or just need to know whether your canning recipe is safe, your county office is usually the first call.
Offices in All 120 Counties
Kentucky Extension has an office in each of the state's 120 counties, and you can find yours with the county office directory. The service is part of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and is divided into three regions: West with 39 counties, Central with 36 and East with 45. Each region has a regional director and four area directors. Local staff are called agents, and the Extension overview counts about 400 county agents, supported by more than 100 state specialists.
What Extension Covers
Program areas listed by the directory are:
- 4-H Youth Development
- Agriculture, Natural Resources and Horticulture
- Family and Consumer Sciences
- Community and Economic Development
- Community Arts
- Urban Extension
The statewide needs assessment described in a 2024 UKNow article organizes the work around three priorities: farm, food and natural resource sustainability, health and well-being, and community and economic vitality.
Help for Farmers and Landowners
Agriculture and natural resources agents offer soil testing, water quality assessment, and farm visits, according to the Kentucky Living story A Trusted Resource. That story describes one Breathitt County agent who makes more than 100 farm visits a year, and local programs such as orchard tours, tree grafting workshops and country ham classes. Extension research stations run forage variety trials and hemp yield studies. Ask your agent about soil sampling and fees, since the sources do not list prices or turnaround times.
Extension also supports farm business work through programs such as Farm Business Analysis, and Blueprint Kentucky focuses on rural economic development, with a Kentucky's Rural Economy report that includes county-level data.
4-H and Youth
4-H is Extension's youth program, and its county agents supervise the projects that feed into county fairs and the Kentucky State Fair. For the state fair, 4-H exhibitors must be past their 9th birthday and not past their 19th as of January 1, must live in Kentucky, and must have carried an approved project under general Extension supervision since the last state fair, per the 4-H state fair rules. Livestock entry forms need the signature of the supervising 4-H Extension agent, who confirms eligibility. Cloverbuds, the younger members, may enter only non-competitive classes open to participants under 9.
For market animals, the UK ownership rules require that any waiver request be signed by the supervising Extension agent or FFA advisor.
Family and Consumer Sciences
Family and consumer sciences programs include estate planning, sewing, and cooking and canning classes focused on food safety, per Kentucky Living. Home food preservation matters for fair entries too: state fair canned goods must be made from raw produce, use standard home-canning jars and follow the 4-H Fair Recipe Book.
Community and Rural Development
Extension also works on community health, leadership and economic development. Blueprint Kentucky offers programs such as First Impressions for town center assessments and help with Brownfield Redevelopment grant applications. Kentucky Living reports that a 2018 needs assessment found substance abuse prevention and recovery the top statewide need, and UK responded by creating an Extension faculty position for it.
History and Funding
Kentucky formed an Extension Service in 1910, and the General Assembly joined the federal-state-county partnership in 1916. The national system rests on the Smith-Lever Act of 1914. Kentucky State University, the state's 1890 land-grant institution, shares the work, and the two schools offer a single comprehensive program, per the overview. Funding comes from federal sources through USDA, the state through the University, and local support, usually through an Extension District or the county fiscal court. Each county has a County Extension Council, and districts have a District Board.
Practical Tips
- Call your county office before buying livestock for a 4-H or fair project, and ask for the validation dates.
- Bring a sample, photo or soil bag when you have a crop, pest or garden question.
- Check the county page for events and programs. You can also visit a neighboring county's office.
- Ask how to join your county Extension Council if you want a say in local programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many counties have an Extension office?
All 120.
How do I find my county office?
Use the county map or alphabetical list on the Extension county directory.
Who runs Kentucky Extension?
The University of Kentucky, with Kentucky State University, under the Dean of the Martin-Gatton College and the Associate Dean and Director of Extension.
Where is the state office?
University of Kentucky Extension, Agriculture Science Center North, 1100 South Limestone, Lexington, KY 40546-0091.
Kentucky Listings Covered by This Guide
- Kenton County 4-H and FFA Sale of Champions
4-H and FFA members sell their fair project animals to local buyers on the Friday evening of fair week, with proceeds funding youth programs and scholarships. Held each year; the most recent sale was July 17, 2026.
2836 Harris Pike, Independence, KY 41051 | 859-356-3738 Official event details - Fleming County 4-H/FFA Youth Livestock Show and Sale
Kentucky's long-running county youth livestock show and auction, billed as the 84th annual edition, where every animal shown goes through the sale. Held each year in September; the most recent date was September 11, 2026.
KY | Organizer: Fleming County Livestock Improvement Association Official event details - Adair County Cooperative Extension Service
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service page for Adair County, the local entry point to Extension agriculture, 4-H youth and family programs.
KY Website - Allen County Cooperative Extension Service
Allen County office of UK Cooperative Extension; the county page links to local agriculture, horticulture and 4-H programming and news.
KY Website - Anderson County Cooperative Extension Service
Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service presence in Anderson County, offering the county page for farm education, 4-H clubs and community classes.
KY Website - Ballard County Cooperative Extension Service
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service page for Ballard County, the local entry point to Extension agriculture, 4-H youth and family programs.
KY Website - Barren County Cooperative Extension Service
Barren County office of UK Cooperative Extension; the county page links to local agriculture, horticulture and 4-H programming and news.
KY Website - Bath County Cooperative Extension Service
Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service presence in Bath County, offering the county page for farm education, 4-H clubs and community classes.
KY Website - Bell County Cooperative Extension Service
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service page for Bell County, the local entry point to Extension agriculture, 4-H youth and family programs.
KY Website - Boone County Cooperative Extension Service
Boone County office of UK Cooperative Extension; the county page links to local agriculture, horticulture and 4-H programming and news.
KY Website - Bourbon County Cooperative Extension Service
Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service presence in Bourbon County, offering the county page for farm education, 4-H clubs and community classes.
KY Website - Boyd County Cooperative Extension Service
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service page for Boyd County, the local entry point to Extension agriculture, 4-H youth and family programs.
KY Website - Boyle County Cooperative Extension Service
Boyle County office of UK Cooperative Extension; the county page links to local agriculture, horticulture and 4-H programming and news.
KY Website - Bracken County Cooperative Extension Service
Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service presence in Bracken County, offering the county page for farm education, 4-H clubs and community classes.
KY Website - Breathitt County Cooperative Extension Service
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service page for Breathitt County, the local entry point to Extension agriculture, 4-H youth and family programs.
KY Website - Breckinridge County Cooperative Extension Service
Breckinridge County office of UK Cooperative Extension; the county page links to local agriculture, horticulture and 4-H programming and news.
KY Website - Bullitt County Cooperative Extension Service
Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service presence in Bullitt County, offering the county page for farm education, 4-H clubs and community classes.
KY Website - Butler County Cooperative Extension Service
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service page for Butler County, the local entry point to Extension agriculture, 4-H youth and family programs.
KY Website - Caldwell County Cooperative Extension Service
Caldwell County office of UK Cooperative Extension; the county page links to local agriculture, horticulture and 4-H programming and news.
KY Website - Calloway County Cooperative Extension Service
Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service presence in Calloway County, offering the county page for farm education, 4-H clubs and community classes.
KY Website - Campbell County Cooperative Extension Service
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service page for Campbell County, the local entry point to Extension agriculture, 4-H youth and family programs.
KY Website - Carlisle County Cooperative Extension Service
Carlisle County office of UK Cooperative Extension; the county page links to local agriculture, horticulture and 4-H programming and news.
KY Website - Carroll County Cooperative Extension Service
Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service presence in Carroll County, offering the county page for farm education, 4-H clubs and community classes.
KY Website - Carter County Cooperative Extension Service
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service page for Carter County, the local entry point to Extension agriculture, 4-H youth and family programs.
KY Website - Casey County Cooperative Extension Service
Casey County office of UK Cooperative Extension; the county page links to local agriculture, horticulture and 4-H programming and news.
KY Website - Christian County Cooperative Extension Service
Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service presence in Christian County, offering the county page for farm education, 4-H clubs and community classes.
KY Website - Clark County Cooperative Extension Service
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service page for Clark County, the local entry point to Extension agriculture, 4-H youth and family programs.
KY Website - Clay County Cooperative Extension Service
Clay County office of UK Cooperative Extension; the county page links to local agriculture, horticulture and 4-H programming and news.
KY Website - Clinton County Cooperative Extension Service
Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service presence in Clinton County, offering the county page for farm education, 4-H clubs and community classes.
KY Website - Crittenden County Cooperative Extension Service
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service page for Crittenden County, the local entry point to Extension agriculture, 4-H youth and family programs.
KY Website - Cumberland County Cooperative Extension Service
Cumberland County office of UK Cooperative Extension; the county page links to local agriculture, horticulture and 4-H programming and news.
KY Website - Daviess County Cooperative Extension Service
Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service presence in Daviess County, offering the county page for farm education, 4-H clubs and community classes.
KY Website - Edmonson County Cooperative Extension Service
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension office for Edmonson County, offering 4-H youth development, agriculture and natural resources, horticulture and family and consumer sciences programs. Its county farmers' market meets at Main Cross St. in Brownsville.
KY Website - Elliott County Cooperative Extension Service
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension office for Elliott County, offering 4-H youth development, agriculture and natural resources, horticulture and family and consumer sciences programs. Its county farmers' market is at 2944 S KY 7 in Sandy Hook.
KY Website - Estill County Cooperative Extension Service
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension office for Estill County, offering 4-H youth development, agriculture and natural resources, horticulture and family and consumer sciences programs. The county fair holds beef, swine and sheep shows each June.
KY Website - Fayette County Cooperative Extension Service
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension office for Fayette County, offering 4-H youth development, agriculture and natural resources, horticulture and family and consumer sciences programs. Lexington hosts several farmers' markets and Bluegrass Stockyards in this county.
KY Website - Fleming County Cooperative Extension Service
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension office for Fleming County, offering 4-H youth development, agriculture and natural resources, horticulture and family and consumer sciences programs. The county hosts the long-running 4-H/FFA Youth Livestock Show and Sale each September.
KY Website - Floyd County Cooperative Extension Service
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension office for Floyd County, offering 4-H youth development, agriculture and natural resources, horticulture and family and consumer sciences programs. Its county farmers' market operates in Prestonsburg.
KY Website - Franklin County Cooperative Extension Service
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension office for Franklin County, offering 4-H youth development, agriculture and natural resources, horticulture and family and consumer sciences programs. Franklin County stages beef, sheep, swine and dairy shows at its county fair in June and July.
KY Website - Fulton County Cooperative Extension Service
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension office for Fulton County, offering 4-H youth development, agriculture and natural resources, horticulture and family and consumer sciences programs. The county conservation district is based in Hickman.
KY Website
Plus 38 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Kentucky directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.