Jennifer Hunter was named Associate Dean for Extension and Director of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service in 2025. A native Kentuckian and proud UK alum, Dr. Hunter brings more than two decades of service to the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and to communities across the Commonwealth.
She has served as a county agent, Extension specialist, professor and administrator—including roles as Director of the School of Human Environmental Sciences and Assistant Extension Director for Family and Consumer Sciences. Her work reflects a deep commitment to community-focused solutions, engaged scholarship and translational research. Dr. Hunter’s record includes leading more than 850 Extension educational programs, publishing over 160 scholarly works, and securing more than $75 million in external grants and contracts.
As the Associate Dean for Extension and Director of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, Dr. Hunter oversees a trusted statewide network that delivers the university’s research, resources and innovative solutions to every county in Kentucky. Extension’s grassroots programs strengthen farms, food systems and natural resources while improving health, well-being and economic outcomes for individuals, families and producers.
Scholars@UK
Challenges on the use of Electronic Identification (EID) for tracking cattle in a segmented production system
Meyer, A. L., Burdine, K., Johns, J. T. & Hunter, J., Jan 1 2023, Precision livestock farming '07. p. 237-244 8 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
The relationship between credit card use behavior and household well-being during the great recession: Implications for the ethics of credit use
Hunter, J. L. & Heath, C. J., 2017, In: Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning. 28, 2, p. 213-224 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Challenges on the use of electronic identification (EID) for tracking cattle in a segmented production system
Meyer, A. L., Burdine, K., Johns, J. T. & Hunter, J., 2007, Precision Livestock Farming 2007 - Papers Presented at the 3rd European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming. p. 237-243 7 p. (Precision Livestock Farming 2007 - Papers Presented at the 3rd European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
FY25 SUBRECIPIENT - SNAP Ed Program C5601
Hunter, J. (PI), Adedokun, O. (CoI) & Weddle, A. (CoI)
KY Department of Community Based Services
10/1/24 → 9/30/25
Project: Research project
FY25 SUBRECIPIENT - SNAP Ed Program C5601
Hunter, J. (PI), Adedokun, O. (CoI) & Weddle, A. (CoI)
KY Department of Community Based Services
10/1/24 → 10/21/24
Project: Research project
Bridge Funding- FRSAN: Southern Region (SAgE: Southern Ag Exchange)
Hunter, J. (PI), Huff, N. (CoI), Pescatore, A. (CoI) & Weddle, A. (CoI)
9/15/23 → 10/31/24
Project: Research project
FY24 SNAP-Ed Services (2023-2024)
Hunter, J. (PI) & Aull, M. (Former CoI)
KY Department of Community Based Services
9/21/22 → 9/30/24
Project: Research project
FY24 Radon Training Through County Extension Offices
Hunter, J. (PI) & Higginbotham, M. (CoI)
KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services
7/1/22 → 6/30/24
Project: Research project
UKRF - 2024 Facilitate Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training - Raising Hope
Hunter, J. (PI) & Weddle, A. (CoI)
7/1/23 → 6/30/24
Project: Research project
Excite 3 Design Phase
Jury, K. (PI), Hunter, J. (CoI) & Lianekhammy, J. (CoI)
10/1/22 → 3/15/23
Project: Research project
Participant Support: Extension Helps - Extension Response To Eastern Kentucky Flood
Young, J. (PI), Davis, A. (CoI), Hunter, J. (CoI), Kahl, D. (CoI), Lehmkuhler, J. (CoI) & Wilson, D. (CoI)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
9/30/22 → 9/29/23
Project: Research project
Extension Helps - Extension Response To Eastern Kentucky Flood
Young, J. (PI), Davis, A. (CoI), Hunter, J. (CoI), Kahl, D. (CoI), Lehmkuhler, J. (CoI) & Wilson, D. (CoI)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
9/30/22 → 9/29/23
Project: Research project
Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network: Southern Region
Hunter, J. (PI), Davis, A. (CoI), Marfell, J. (CoI) & Pescatore, A. (CoI)
9/1/20 → 8/31/24
Project: Research project
Scope: Healthy Eating and Active Living to Reduce Rural Obesity Through Extension
Hunter, J. (PI), Cardarelli, K. (CoI), Gustafson, A. (CoI), Koo, J. (CoI), Lianekhammy, J. (CoI), Mullins, J. (CoI) & Norman-Burgdolf, H. (CoI)
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
9/18/18 → 9/29/23
Project: Research project
Healthy Eating and Active Living to Reduce Rural Obesity Through Extension
Hunter, J. (PI), Cardarelli, K. (CoI), Gustafson, A. (CoI), Koo, J. (CoI), Lianekhammy, J. (CoI), Mullins, J. (CoI) & Norman-Burgdolf, H. (CoI)
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
9/18/18 → 9/29/23
Project: Research project
FY23 SNAP-Ed Services (2022-2023)
Hunter, J. (PI) & Aull, M. (Former CoI)
KY Department of Community Based Services
9/21/22 → 9/30/24
Project: Research project
Covid 19: CDC-RFA-IP21-2113: PANDEMIC: Program to Address National Disparities in Ethnic and Minority Impact from COVID-19
Kern, P. (PI), Hunter, J. (CoI), Mudd, G. (CoI) & Williams, L. (CoI)
8/15/21 → 12/31/24
Project: Research project
PROFIT: Promoting Recovery Online through Financial Instruction and Addiction Training
Huff, N. (PI), Adedokun, O. (CoI), Elswick, A. (CoI) & Hunter, J. (CoI)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
9/1/22 → 8/31/26
Project: Research project
FY23 Radon Training Through County Extension Offices
Hunter, J. (PI) & Higginbotham, M. (CoI)
KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services
7/1/22 → 6/30/23
Project: Research project
Healthy Eating and Active Living to Reduce Rural Obesity Through Extension
Hunter, J. (PI) & Lianekhammy, J. (CoI)
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
9/30/18 → 9/29/20
Project: Research project
UK SNAP Ed Program 2018
Kahl, D. (PI), Davis, A. (CoI), Hunter, J. (CoI), Koo, J. (CoI) & Rossi, J. (CoI)
KY Department of Community Based Services
7/1/18 → 9/30/18
Project: Research project
Farm & Ranch Staff Assistance Network Program (FRSAN) - Youth
Hunter, J. (PI), Mains, M. (CoI), Pescatore, A. (CoI) & Stamper, C. (CoI)
9/30/21 → 8/31/23
Project: Research project
FCS Radon Training
Hunter, J. (PI)
KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services
12/1/21 → 6/30/22
Project: Research project
Education
- Ph.D., Family Studies, University of Kentucky
- M.S., Vocational Education, University of Kentucky
- B.S., Agricultural Economics, University of Kentucky
Associated Departments
Cooperative Extension