Kentucky’s population (like many other states) continues to shift to larger counties and cities. This shift brings challenges for the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. We must remain committed to our rural foundations while exploring ways to be more relevant to our urban communities.

University of Kentucky Extension has engaged Michigan State University to facilitate a strategic examination of how Extension can best serve citizens living in our larger communities. Dr. Marie Ruemenapp, an Extension Specialist and Co-Director of the Extension Urban Collaborators Program at MSU and Holly Madill, Director of the MSU Charrette Institute will partner with UK Extension in this process, which is scheduled for June 13-16.

Dr. Jeff Young, Director for Urban Extension at UK explains that this process will be conducted over Zoom with input gathered from agents, administrators, and stakeholders across the state. Young also noted that while this is a week-long process, there will be short blocks of time for small groups to participate during the week.

While this process focuses on input from Kentucky’s largest counties, it will be open to anyone interested in helping shape what Extension in urban communities look like in the future.

If you have questions please contact Dr. Jeff Young, Director for Urban Extension at jyoung@uky.edu