KYSU's Cooperative Extension Program is preparing to make a bigger impact on Kentucky. Under the new leadership of Associate Extension Administrator Dr. Johnnie Westbrook who joined the program early in 2017, the Extension program outlined new strategic goals and a new mission and has expanded personnel in Kentucky's counties and on the university's campus. Just two years ago, KYSU Cooperative Extension had 12 agents in nine counties. Today, 26 agents work in 17 of Kentucky's counties. In addition, new statewide positions have been filled, particularly in areas of nutrition, community development, and 4-H youth development.

Kentucky State University's Cooperative Extension Program established a new advisory group to help promote the university's research initiatives and Extension programs and advocate for the Land Grant Program in communities across the state. The Kentucky State University Land Grant Program Extension and Research Advisory Council (ERAC) is made up of community members and business leaders from across the state. It serves as a grassroots leadership group that advises the KYSU Land Grant Program on important issues facing the citizens in the Commonwealth. Additionally, the group helps establish plans to research and address issues Kentucky's face. The ERAC works to ensure that research-based information is made available to the public by providing adequate leadership and support of the university's agriculture programs in their communities. Some areas of focus of the ERAC include advising staff on programs deemed appropriate as well as those that no longer meet the needs of communities, and establishing lines of communication to community leaders and local organizations. Kentucky Kentucky

Kentucky Grown Show Highlights Farmers Across the State and KYSU Partners

KentuckyGrown

Kentucky State University's Land Grant Program impacts farmers across the state through its research and Extension. It focuses much of its work on small-scale, limited-resource and minority producers to encourage and promote new technologies and advancements in the agriculture industry as well as introduce them to available resources. Another important responsibility for the Land Grant Program is to showcase the state's farmers and to educate the public about the important role the agriculture industry plays in the lives of all people. Kentucky Grown is a documentary-style series that looks at the work of Kentucky farmers and shines a light on some of the lesser-known agriculture products from the state. This 30-minute show highlights farms and the people who run them to illustrate the under-appreciated work of one of Kentucky's proudest and most influential industries and agriculture's role in feeding Kentucky and the world. Kentucky Grown airs monthly on KET and KET affiliate networks. For a full schedule of shows, visit www.ket.org/series/KKYGR.