The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment has named Jennifer Hunter as associate dean for Extension and director of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. Hunter will begin her new role on September 1.

Hunter brings more than two decades of service to Martin-Gatton CAFE and communities across the Commonwealth. A native Kentuckian and UK alum, she has served as a county agent, specialist, professor and administrator—including director of the School of Human Environmental Sciences and assistant extension director for Family and Consumer Sciences. 

She has built a strong record of community-focused solutions, engaged scholarship and translational research, with a record that includes more than 850 Extension educational programs, over 160 publications and more than $75 million in external grants and contracts. 

“Dr. Hunter’s deep commitment to Kentucky communities, her track record of innovative Extension programming, and her leadership experience make her uniquely suited to guide Cooperative Extension into its next chapter,” said Laura Stephenson, dean of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and vice president for land-grant engagement. 

Hunter succeeds Stephenson, who previously held the associate dean and director position before being named dean. Craig Wood, professor of Animal and Food Sciences and assistant director of Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension, has served as acting associate dean and director of extension since Jan. 1, 2025. 

“I want to thank Dr. Craig Wood for his leadership during this transition,” Stephenson said. “His steady leadership helped ensure continuity for our agents, specialists and staff statewide.” 

The UK Cooperative Extension Service is a trusted, local resource for all Kentuckians. Through hyper‑local, grassroots programming, it brings the university’s research, resources, and innovative solutions into every Kentucky county.  

Extension’s efforts focus on strengthening Kentucky’s farms, food systems and natural resources; building the health, well‑being and economic outcomes for individuals, families and producers; and engaging communities to build vibrant economies by connecting businesses and people. 

To learn more about the UK Cooperative Extension Service in all 120 counties in Kentucky, visit https://extension.ca.uky.edu. 

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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.