Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) announced today that LaRue County farmer Ryan Bivens has been named its 2024 Generation Bridge Advocate of the Year.

KFB’s Generation Bridge Advocate of the Year award recognizes an individual between the ages of 36 and 49 who demonstrates strong leadership within Farm Bureau, is involved in their community, and advocates for agriculture at the local, state and federal level.

In 1994, Bivens started his farming career with 34 acres of soybeans on rented land in Spencer County. He later moved to LaRue County and began farming there in 2002. Today, he and his wife, Misty, own and manage Fresh Start Farms, where they raise corn, soybeans and wheat on land they own and rent across two counties in Central Kentucky. Ryan Bivens manages the operation, employees, capital allocation, and 1.4 million bushels’ worth of grain storage. The couple has two sons, Cyrus and Avery.

Bivens has developed strong relationships with elected leaders from local and surrounding counties, Frankfort and Washington, D.C. On his farm, he has hosted town hall meetings, field days, tours and listening sessions with everyone from students and community members to influential leaders, including the Kentucky Joint Interim Ag Committee and commonwealth’s Secretary of Energy and Environmental Protection.

The Bivens have often opened up their farm to host events such as the inaugural LaRue County Farm Bureau AgStravaganza event, which brought together over 1,000 residents to learn about the role agriculture plays in the community while enjoying an evening of food and entertainment. Other community events the farm has hosted include the local FFA’s Ag Appreciation Day, the local Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet, farm and fire safety training, grain safety device testing and many more. He also visits local schools regularly to educate the next generation about farming as a career.

Bivens has been an active member of the LaRue County Farm Bureau board for more than 20 years. He has served as Young Farmer chair, board secretary, vice president and president, as well as numerous committee positions. He has also assisted with the office’s countywide agriculture tour and is crucial to the success of its farm-to-table dinner.

“Ryan is extremely deserving of this award,” said Dale Dobson, LaRue County Farm Bureau President. “I really can’t think of a better advocate for agriculture not only in LaRue County, but in the state of Kentucky and the nation. He is not only an exemplary farmer, but he is a model of what good advocating about agriculture should look like. He is an amazing person, who we are happy to have as a part of our county Farm Bureau board.”

LaRue County Farm Bureau nominated Bivens for this award. To download his photo, click HERE.