Contact Information

For questions regarding Kentucky State University Extension, please contact:

Tyrell Kahan, DVM, MDP, DACVPM
Associate Extension Administrator
Telephone: 502-597-6311 
Email: tyrell.kahan@kysu.edu

For questions regarding Kentucky State University 4-H Youth Development Program, please contact:

Austin P. Jacobs Ph.D.
4-H Extension Associate
Email: austin.jacobs@kysu.edu
Telephone:502-597-6030


Welcome to Kentucky State University's

4-H Youth Development Program

4-H Youth Development is a division of the Kentucky State University’s Cooperative Extension Program. Extension’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of Kentucky citizens through non-formal education for the entire family. Kentucky 4-H provides education and life skill development opportunities for youth to grow into confident, capable, and contributing members of their communities.

What we do and who we are:

4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization. More than 6 million 4-H youth in urban neighborhoods, suburban communities and rural farming communities participate in 4-H.

As the youth development program of the nation’s land-grant universities and the Cooperative Extension System, 4-H fosters a “learn by doing” approach. Activities, events, and programs are centered around three program areas: science, healthy living, and citizenship.

The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development, a longitudinal study conducted by the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University, shows youth engaged with 4-H are:

  • Nearly two times more likely to get better grades in school
  • Nearly two times more likely to plan to go to college
  • 41 percent less likely to engage in risky behaviors
  • 25 percent more likely to positively contribute to their families and communities

What we do and who we are:

4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization. More than 6 million 4-H youth in urban neighborhoods, suburban communities and rural farming communities participate in 4-H.

Children watching a goat eatBoy performing an experimentAs the youth development program of the nation’s land-grant universities and the Cooperative Extension System, 4-H fosters a “learn by doing” approach. Activities, events, and programs are centered around three program areas: science, healthy living, and citizenship.

The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development, a longitudinal study conducted by the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University, shows youth engaged with 4-H are:

  • Nearly two times more likely to get better grades in school
  • Nearly two times more likely to plan to go to college
  • 41 percent less likely to engage in risky behaviors
  • 25 percent more likely to positively contribute to their families and communities

Upcoming events and activities


Faculty and Staff


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