Each year KFB presents this award to recognize, encourage, and appreciate the achievements made by women farmers. Savannah helps manage the family farm’s daily operations while also using her skillsets to expand agriculture’s reach further into the community.

“Faith, family, and agriculture are my life’s calling, and I am so proud to be able to positively impact my community while helping provide for my family,” said Savannah Robin. “As my little girls grow up, I want them to recognize that as females they have a unique skillset and approach to things, even cattle farming, that should be embraced and celebrated. There are no limits to what we can do on a farm, for agriculture, and for our community.”

Savannah resides in Paris, KY, where she and her husband own and co-manage Robin Ridge Farms with their two daughters. They raise beef cattle, sheep, goats, and cut flowers. Through all her farm endeavors, she has increased the overall profitability of the farm and exponentially grown both the livestock and flower businesses. She also maintains the farm website, marketing material, email lists, and social media presence.

“Savannah embodies the spirit of the hardworking farm women across Kentucky,” said Mark Haney, President of Kentucky Farm Bureau. “Her drive for farming, business, education, and family is an inspiration to all.

Savannah’s entrepreneurial approach to bring agriculture to new markets has also seen great success. For example, she established corporate partnerships with local businesses to provide employee Christmas gift packages.

Savannah’s work doesn’t stop on the farm. She also serves as Lecturer of Career and Professional Development for the Martin-Gatton University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Equine Programs. In this role, she oversees the equine internship program along with the career and professional development for the more than 300 students enrolled in the equine science and management undergraduate program. She serves as a career advisor and mentor, teaching the Equine Careers course. She is active within Kentucky’s equine industry and serves as a liaison between businesses, organizations, and farms to offer a connection for the UK students to the equine industry in Central Kentucky and across the U.S. Along with building industry relationships with equine industry leaders and providing job opportunities, she coordinates and manages the UK Ag Equine Career Fair.

Savannah is heavily engaged in many agricultural-based organizations around the community as well as her church, and children’s school. She has spearheaded efforts to build and maintain food pantries and lead an agricultural and Farm Bureau Day at her local Chamber of Commerce. Savannah is also an active member of her church and prioritizes donating 10% of each farm animal harvested to a local food pantry.

Other finalists for Kentucky Farm Woman of the Year are listed below. Each finalist is a fitting example of the hardworking farm women across Kentucky committed to agriculture industry and bettering their community.

Joan Hayden of Daviess County

Joan Hayden and her husband, Martin, have been farming since 1983. Hayden’s Farms LLC consists of eight poultry houses and a 200 cow/ calf operation with four more poultry houses that they manage. Their son, Daniel, has now taken over farming operations.

Hayden Farms is home to the first ever poultry house customized with a glass wall for viewing. People from over 29 countries, as well as teachers, nutritionists, and school classes have utilized the education building and viewing room to learn about poultry production and where their food comes from.

Joan has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Daviess County Farm Bureau since 2014. She was the first female on the board and served as President from 2018-2021. During the pandemic, she took charge and lead monthly zoom meetings to keep the board running and spearheaded the “You Are Not Alone” campaign.

Joans revolutionary work with Hayden Farms LLC, the Farm Bureau, and other numerous community involvements are nothing short of outstanding. Kentucky is lucky to have women like Joan dedicated to our agriculture industry. 

Kim Jones of Marion County

Kim is the owner and operator with her husband on Jones Dairy where they run cow/calf operations and crop land. Kim works in all parts of the farming operation milking, feeding, managing the dairy herd, planting and harvesting crops, and implementing management decisions.

A few of Kim’s farming accomplishments include breeding Wagyu-Holstien cows, running the corn chopper, and working with FSA and Conservation Offices to help with environmental stewardship and soil and water protection.

Kim also serves on the county Farm Bureau of Women’s Committee where she volunteers her time to help with food check out day, setting up for meetings, and reading books to school children. She is also involved with numerous other farming committees to help support Kentucky agriculture. There is no shortage of Kim’s community engagement as she is very involved in her church. She was a religious education teacher for 18 years, is Chairperson of the Kitchen for their church picnic, and works the gate at her local fair.

Kim is yet another honorable runner-up and a true example of an exceptional Kentucky Farm Woman.