Kentucky’s Agricultural Leaders

Fran McCall is a Commodity Specialist at the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation (KFB). She grew up on a farm, and her family had been in the business for generations before her.

A 2021 report from the Greater Louisville Project found that about 3.5% of households live within food deserts of Jefferson County. For example, there are only two full-service grocery stores for a population of 60,000 in west Louisville. Luckily, Louisville is home to those fighting for a brighter and greener future for all.

Knopf says that math, statistics, data science, and agricultural economics are the most common degrees of NASS employees, as well as any other number of agricultural degrees.

Webster County farmer Eddie Melton was elected as president of Kentucky Farm Bureau in December 2023. He has served on the organization’s executive committee for the past fifteen years.

In the ever-evolving landscape of Kentucky politics, Jonathan Shell emerges as a notable figure, having just been elected as our state's Agriculture Commissioner. His journey to this pivotal role in governing Kentucky's vast agricultural sector is marked by a blend of legislative experience and a deep-rooted connection to farming.

Laura Knoth serves as the Executive Director for the Kentucky Corn Growers and the Kentucky Small Grain Growers.

Nikki Whitaker serves as the Director of Operations and Policy at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association. Learn more about her career involving agricultural communications.

Discover this mom-daughter team that’s keeping agriculture in the family!

Hear from Sharon Spencer and what she has to say about making in impact in agriculture!

Learn about Rae Wagoner and what she has to say about the diversity of careers in agriculture.

Learn about Dr. Antomia “Mia” Farrel and her role as Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of Kentucky and her accomplished career in agriculture.

Discover Dr. Kristie Guffey, Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator at Murray State University, and her career in agriculture.

Read about Sheldon McKinney, the Executive Director of the Kentucky FFA Foundation. #womeninkyag #womenshistorymonth

Read about Dr. Nancy Cox, the Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment at the University of Kentucky. #womeninkyag #womenshistorymonth

While the DeWeeses also have hill ground and various other soil types to work with, the river bottoms are tricky. Like many other row crop farmers in the far western portion of the state, the DeWeese brothers have turned to contract growing of hogs in order to diversify their operation and maximize their profit margin.

For 60 years, Cecilia resident Kenneth Hayden has farmed 850 acres of land, and the 91-year-old is still at it.

Sarah and her husband Bart own Red Hill Farms, an esteemed livestock and crop farming operation spanning south central Kentucky and northern middle Tennessee. Not only does Jones oversee the sale and care of Red Hill’s many cattle, but she also manages its finances, records, marketing and promotions.

The Thomas family has a deep family history in agriculture, and both Mark and Wesley were raised on farms. While Wesley is now also a Nurse Practitioner, Mark is fulfilling his lifelong dream. “From an early age, I have always been dedicated to agriculture and the farm. I have never wanted to do anything but farm full-time,” noted Mark.

The days of tobacco being the king crop in Kentucky are in the rear-view mirror, but the once top crop still holds a place in Kentucky's diverse agricultural environment.

The most recent USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) information is predicting a possible record for soybean planting throughout the soybean-producing states. Kentucky producers are expected to plant a total of two million soybean acres, up 150,000 acres from 2021.