LEXINGTON, Ky., — Nicholas Carter has been named county and local government relations director in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. He will begin his duties on July 1.

“Relationships with our local, state and federal government partners are critical to the success of the college. Nick brings a depth of understanding of these important partnerships along with a passion for the mission of the college to this position. I am excited to have him in this role,” said Dean Nancy Cox.

The new position will serve as a point of contact for county and municipal officials on collegewide issues, including such mandated programs as Cooperative Extension, the Agricultural Experiment Station, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and Regulatory Services. In concert with the college’s new, as-yet unnamed, director for state and federal government relations, Carter will lead a statewide effort to promote government relations and awareness of UK, as well as advise and represent the dean and the college with various agriculture, food and natural resource leadership organizations. He will also ensure real-time communications between Cooperative Extension leadership and judge executives and extension district boards.

Carter, who holds a bachelor’s degree in farm management from Eastern Kentucky University and a master’s degree in crop science from the University of Kentucky, currently is the agriculture and natural resources extension agent in Fayette County. His experience in multiple facets of agriculture and government and industry relations makes him especially suited to this new role. He was a farm manager for 14 years in Bourbon County and worked for Kentucky Bank as an agriculture loan officer in five Central Kentucky counties and as regional manager in Clark County. Carter is also a graduate of the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Leadership Program, Leadership Winchester and the Lexington Leadership Program. As an extension agent, he built close professional relationships with members of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.

“I think Cooperative Extension is hugely important in Kentucky. A lot of times, it’s the glue that holds communities together, in my opinion. It plays such an important part in building relationships and in meeting local needs with scientific-based information that we bring from UK,” Carter said. “I think this position will open up communications both ways to give everyone a voice. I’m looking forward to working with all the counties and their elected officials, as well as the commodity groups, to make the extension service in Kentucky stronger than ever.”