FCS Extension Welcomes Six New Agents

Since January, six new Extension Agents for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Education have joined the UK Cooperative Extension Service. We welcome these new professionals to our team and introduce them to you.

Brittany Bowling, Leslie County FCS Agent; Dr. Cherry Kay Smith, FCS Extension Program Leader;
and Karli Jessie, Jessamine County FCS Agent

• Karli Jessie is a recent graduate from the University of Kentucky and currently serves as the FCS Agent in Jessamine County. She earned a B.S. in Dietetics and passed the licensing exam to become a Registered Dietitian. As a student, Karli completed an Extension internship, working with Kelli Bonifer, Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences Education in Adair County. This experience allowed her to step into the shoes of an extension agent for three months and learn about the fast-paced, fun and rewarding life they live!  Karli’s passion lies within wanting to help others develop life skills that will help them become the healthiest versions of themselves. In her spare time, she loves to cook, go to the movies, and spend time with friends and family. Welcome Karli to Jessamine County as the new FCS agent.

• Brittany Bowling is a graduate from Eastern Kentucky University with a degree in child and family studies with emphasis on nutrition, financial education, and child development and family dynamics. Originally from London, Kentucky, Brittany moved to Hawaii after completing her degree and worked in a non-profit agency serving preschool kids in a variety of settings, and at a child development center on an Army base. She returned to Kentucky in 2016, working for a mental health company as a case manager prior to accepting the position as the FCS agent in Leslie County.  Brittany recently married and has two dogs. She enjoys spending time with family, spoiling her nieces and nephews, hiking and traveling.
   

Sue Hughes, Robertson County FCS/4-H Agent; Cathy Jansen, Carroll County FCS Agent;
Dr. Cherry Kay Smith, FCS Extension Program Leader; Lora Davidson, Harlan County FCS Agent;
and Danielle Ford, Marion County FCS Agent

• Lora Davidson is the new FCS agent in Harlan County.  She started her Extension career in Knox County where she served as the program assistant.  She graduated from Western Kentucky University with a B.S. in Child Studies with a minor in Family Studies. She and her husband spend much of their free time parenting their two wonderful children. She enjoys watching her children play sports, crafting, sewing, traveling and being a mother and wife.  Lora looks forward to serving the community by helping to improve overall health, strengthen personal and family relationships as well as extending their income.

• Danielle Ford graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2007 with a B.S. in Human Nutrition. She went on to receive an Associate of Science in Nursing from Saint Catharine College in 2009 and a Bachelor of Nursing from Chamberlain College of Nursing in 2015. She is an active member in the Marion County Cattlemen’s Association and the Just Among Moms group at Holy Name of Mary church. Danielle enjoys traveling and spending time with her son and family on the family farm. She is a native of Marion County and is looking forward to giving back and serving her home community as the new FCS agent in Marion County.

• Cathy Jansen recently returned to UK Cooperative Extension as the FCS agent in Carroll County.  From 1997 to 2007, she served as an Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development in Carroll and Owen Counties (5 years in each county).  She returns after 10 years as a business owner operating franchises in Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri.  Cathy earned a B.S. in Home Economics with an emphasis in Textiles, Clothing, and Merchandising in 1981 and M.S. in Vocational Education in 2005. A native of Owen County, she has been happily married for 26 years and has six children and twelve grandchildren.  She and her husband love to travel and are currently raising a three year old grandchild.

• Sue Hughes is the new FCS/4-H Youth Development Agent in Robertson County.  She holds B.S. Clothing and Textiles and has held several positions since completing her degree. She began her career as a home energy advisor with Kentucky Utilities and later served as director environmental services at a health care facility. In her spare time, she enjoys training and showing horses. Sue resides in Robertson County near her family.

The School of Human Environmental Sciences is excited to welcome these six new professionals and looks forward to their outstanding contributions in meeting community needs.