LaRue County

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Farm Profiles

Shady Rest Farms

The Raglands have been farming the same land near Hodgenville since the early 1800s. They were neighbors to Thomas Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s father. While the Lincolns moved around and eventually left Kentucky, the Raglands stayed in LaRue County and are still farming today. 

Caleb Ragland, the ninth generation on the farm, operates Magnolia Grain and Stock Farm with his wife, Leanne, and their three boys. They grow 4,000 acres of corn, wheat, and soybeans. A fun fact about their wheat, it is used to make flour for McDonald's biscuits. The Ragland's homeschool their boys and involve them in day to day activities on the farm. 

Fresh Start Farms

Ryan Bivens grew up helping his farming neighbors and decided to start a farm of his own. He operates Fresh Start Farms in Hodgenville with his wife and two sons by his side. Misty Bivens is an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at LaRue County High School.

The Bivens family grows corn, soybeans, and wheat. Cyrus and Avery Bivens also operate C & A Eggs, caring for nearly 100 laying hens. They sell the eggs to local customers. 

Cedar Valley Farms

Cedar Valley Farms - CSA is a third-generation family farm located in Hodgenville, KY. Mr. Jud Lee, the farmer, grows vegetables to fill spring, summer, and fall CSA shares. They raise pasture-raised pork, eggs, and grass-fed beef year-round. Cedar Valley Farms is excited about its seventh CSA season in 2022. During their 16-week program, from May to September, their farm members will receive a weekly produce box full of fresh seasonal produce from the Cedar Valley family farm. A la carte items such as all-natural pasture-raised meats, pasture-raised eggs, and KY Proud Products from across the state are available as add-ons through their online store. They offer three share sizes: Essential Share, Farm Share, and Build Your Own Box - with delivery options in LaRue, Hardin, and Jefferson counties to meet the needs of any family.

Credit: Kentucky Proud