Western Region
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension West Region
Welcome to the West Region!
The Extension Agents and Staff members in our 39 West 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: Matt Fulkerson (W3 & W4 AED), Amber Huffman (W7 & W8 AED), Amanda Hardy (W5 & W6 AED)
Back Row: Jeremy Teal (West Region Director), Robert Tashjian (W1 & W2 AED)
Jeremy is a native of Cumberland County, where he grew up on his family’s farm. He completed his undergraduate degree, at the University of Kentucky in Secondary Education and later earned his master’s degree from Murray State University in Human Development and Leadership. Jeremy began his Extension career in 2001 in Hopkins County, serving as one of the 4-H Agents. After serving 17 years as a 4-H Agent, he moved to Extension Business Operations as the Business Analyst Senior for Western Kentucky. Jeremy would later transition to become the Area Extension Director for West 5 & West 6. In the summer of 2023 Jeremy accepted the role of West Regional Extension Director.
West Region Office
348 University Drive
P.O. Box 469
Princeton, KY 42445
The West Region Support Team
Tami Widelski
Administrative Support
Associate
West 5-8 Counties
(859) 562-1372
tami.widelski@uky.edu
Area Extension Directors for the West Region
Robert C. Tashjian
Area Extension Director
West 1 and 2
(270) 508-0519
rtashjia@uky.edu
2025 New Holt Road
Paducah, Kentucky 42001-7537
Matt Fulkerson
Area Extension Director
West 3 and 4
(270) 621-0524
mattfulkerson@uky.edu
75 Cornwall Drive
Madisonville, Kentucky 42431
Amanda Hardy
Area Extension Director
West 5 and 6
(270) 831-0360
amanda.hardy@uky.edu
4800A New Hartford Road
Owensboro, Kentucky 42303
Amber Huffman
Area Extension Director
West 7 and 8
(270) 590-8942
amber.huffman@uky.edu
P. O. Box 55
Edmonton, KY 42129
Robert grew up in Livingston County, KY. He earned degrees from Murray State University with his M.S. focus in administration. Robert began his career in Extension in 1997 as a 4-H Youth Development agent in McCracken County until 2018 when he joined administration as County Manager. In 2021, he accepted the position of Area Extension Director for West 1 and West 2.
Matt is a native of Henderson County, Kentucky. He received his Bachelor of Science in Biology (2002) and Master of Science in Plant and Soil Science (2004) from the University of Kentucky. He became the Area Extension Director for West 3 and West 4 in 2021. Before becoming an AED, Matt served as the District 7 Director for 11 years covering the 17 westernmost counties in Kentucky. Prior to that, he served as the Hopkins County Extension Agent for Horticulture.
Amanda grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and has lived in Kentucky for over 20 years. Her extension career started in 2005 as the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in McLean County. Three years later, Amanda transferred to Henderson County as the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent. With over 18 years of experience, she transitioned to the Area Director Position for West 5 and West 6 at the beginning of November 2023. She holds a Bachelor’s of Sciences in Public Health Education and a Master’s of Arts Education in Adult Education, both from Western Kentucky.
Amber is a native of Metcalfe County, where she grew up on her family’s beef and dairy cattle farm. Amber completed her undergraduate degree, at the University of Kentucky, in Agricultural Economics with a minor in Business and also earned her master’s degree from the University of Kentucky in Agricultural Education. She served as an Extension intern in the Metcalfe County Extension Office. Amber began her Extension career in 1999 in Jessamine County, serving as the 4-H Agent for 5 years before transferring to Hart County where she was the 4-H Agent for 18 years. After serving 23 years as a 4-H Agent, Amber transitioned to become the Area Extension Director for West 7 & West 8 in 2021.
Counties located in the West Region
Our 275 West Region employees invite you to visit our websites, join us for a program, or contact us for information.
W1 and W2
W3 and W4
W5 and W6