Eastern Region
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension East Region
Welcome to the East Region!
The Extension Agents and Staff members in our 45 East Region counties are a vital part of our communities. We share research based information in the areas of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H Youth Development, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Community and Economic Development
We are making a difference across the Commonwealth.
Front Row: Ty Back (E5 & E6 AED), Daniel Wilson (East Region Director),
Judi O'Bryan (E3 & E4 AED)
Back Row: Jeff Casada (E1 & E2 AED), Raven Ford (E7 & E8 AED)
Daniel is originally from Jackson County, KY, where he grew up on his family’s farm. He graduated from the University of Tennessee earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Education. He furthered his education by earning his Master’s Degree from the University of Kentucky in Career, Technical and Leadership Education. Daniel began his career with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension in 2006, as the East Region Animal ID Assistant. He then accepted the position as the Wolfe County ANR Extension Agent, where he served for ten years. From there, he transitioned to the District 2 Extension Director Position-managing 16 county extension offices and serving in that capacity for four years. Daniel accepted the East Regional Extension Director position in January of 2020 and was appointed to serve as the Director of the Robinson Center for Resource Sustainability (RCARS) - the University of Kentucky-Martin Gatton CAFÉ eastern region research farm.
East Region Office
130 Robinson Road
Jackson, Kentucky 41339-9081
The Eastern Region Support Team
Joshua P. Mullins
Administrative Support Associate
East 1-4 Counties
(859) 218-9273
josh.mullins@uky.edu
Micah Gayhart
Administrative Support
Associate
East 5-8 Counties
Area Extension Directors for the East Region
Jeffrey H. Casada
Area Extension Director
East 1 and 2
(606) 224-1472
jcasada@uky.edu
P.O. Box 720
Somerset, Kentucky
42502-0720
Judi O'Bryan
Area Extension Director
East 3 and 4
(606) 682-0663
jobryan@uky.edu
200 County Extension Road
London, Kentucky
40741-9008
Ty Back
Area Extension Director
East 5 and 6
(606) 568-0840
ty.back@uky.edu
130 Robinson Road
Jackson, Kentucky
41339
Raven C. Ford
Area Extension Director
East 7 and 8
(606) 776-5058
rcford@uky.edu
600 West Main Street
Morehead, Kentucky
40351-1887
Jeff grew up in Pulaski County, KY in the rural community of Bronston. He graduated from Berea College with a BS degree in Agribusiness and immediately started work with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service in Clay County as the Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent in 1991. Jeff completed a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in agriculture in 1995 from the University of Kentucky and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the Army War College in 2015. After 29 years of service in Clay County, Jeff accepted an Area Extension Director position in January 2021.
Judi began her career with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service in 1990 serving 30 years as a County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences in Campbell and Laurel counties. In 2021 Judi became the Area Extension Director for 10 counties in Southeastern Kentucky where she continues to serve. She holds a BA in Home Economics with an emphasis in Housing/Community Development from Berea College and a MS in Family Resource Management from the University of Kentucky.
Ty Back is a native of Breathitt County, Kentucky, with a diverse and accomplished career. He graduated from Morehead State University with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in chemistry, and later earned a master’s degree in Career and Technical Education from the same institution. Ty's journey in the field of agriculture and extension began with the University of Kentucky, where he started as a horticulture research technician at RCARS. He then served as a 4-H Agent in Magoffin and Breathitt Counties. In 2012, he transitioned to the role of Agriculture Agent in Breathitt County. In 2017, Ty became the first Fiscal Compliance Officer for the KY Cooperative Extension System. In 2021, he reached another milestone by assuming the position of Area Extension Director.
Raven is originally from Hart County, KY, where she grew up in the small town of Horse Cave. She graduated from Berea College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with an emphasis on Child Development. She furthered her education by earning a master's degree from Morehead State University in Adult and Higher Education. Raven learned about the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service through the internship program. She was a 4-H intern in Hart County and the following summer a Family and Consumer Sciences intern in Edmonson County. She began her career with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension in 2001, as the Rowan County 4-H Youth Development Agent for 19 years. Raven is currently in her 4th year as an Area Extension Director.
Counties located in the East Region
Our 325 East Region employees invite you to visit our websites, join us for a program, or contact us for information.
E1 and E2
E3 and E4
E5 and E6
