Following a nationwide search, the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture has named Joseph Kurth as its new Assistant Director of Cooperative Extension for 4-H/Youth Development.

In this position, Kurth will lead Kentucky’s statewide 4-H program.

Kurth, who has been Director of 4-H and Youth Programs at Iowa State University since 1993, brings to the job a philosophy of developing and implementing programs that prepare youth for life.

“I envision a program in which staff, volunteers, agency partners, funding partners and communities work together for the ultimate good of each Kentucky child,” he said.  “We will do this by building from the strength of our land grant university research base to develop programs that help our young people gain the basic life skills they’ll need to be successful and contributing members of their communities.”

Kentucky’s 4-H program enjoys a national reputation for strong local and state support, volunteer leadership and high standards of excellence.  UK administrators believe Kurth’s selection signals a continued commitment to excellence in youth development.

“We are confident that Joe Kurth’s philosophy of 4-H and youth development, his respect for youth, knowledge base, experience and leadership capability will compliment our total Extension administrative team as we work together with all staff and faculty to make a difference in the lives of Kentucky’s youth,” said Larry Turner, UK College of Agriculture Associate Dean and Director of Cooperative Extension.

Kurth, a native of Illinois, earned his doctoral and master’s degrees in education from the University of Missouri-Columbia.  Prior to directing Iowa State’s 4-H program, he was Assistant Director of Cooperative Extension for 4-H/Youth Development at Washington State University.