Louisville, KY (June 13, 2013) – Kentucky Farm Bureau’s Bluegrass & Backroads, a 30-minute television program that explores the agricultural, cultural, historical and artistic stories unique to the state, was nominated this week for an Emmy® Award. The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) announced nominees for the 49th Annual Ohio Valley Regional Emmy® Awards, giving the nod to Kentucky Farm Bureau’s Bluegrass & Backroads for Best Magazine Feature/Segment.

The show’s Emmy®-nominated segment provides viewers with the rich backstory of renowned Kentucky artist, Mitchell Tolle, and his passion for drawing and painting the people and landscapes of the Commonwealth. Tolle, a native of Berea, KY, is also an accomplished author, storyteller and pastor of a church in Lexington, but most widely known for his tremendous artistic talents.

“Mitchell Tolle is an amazing artist and a fantastic interview,” said Matt Hilton, Kentucky Farm Bureau’s video production specialist. “The segment quickly started to take shape the moment we sat down and listened to him unpack his story.”

Hilton and Bob Shrader make up Kentucky Farm Bureau’s two-man video production team, and are responsible for writing, filming, interviewing, hosting, directing and editing each show. The duo is now busy filming the 11th season of Bluegrass & Backroads.

“We are continually blessed to meet and interview so many fascinating people on Bluegrass & Backroads,” said Shrader. “Having our peers recognize those same encounters as unique is that much more special.”

The Ohio Valley Chapter of NATAS will unveil all the official winners of the coveted Emmy® Awards on July 20th during a black-tie dinner held at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Including this year’s nomination, Bluegrass & Backroads has now been nominated for a total of eight Emmy® Awards over the show’s history, and has won the prestigious award three times.

Bluegrass & Backroads is a weekly program aired regionally on the Kentucky Educational Television (KET) networks, and nationally via satellite on RFD-TV through Dish Network, DirecTV and several major cable outlets. For a complete list of the stations and schedule on which Bluegrass & Backroads airs, or to view the show’s Emmy®-winning segments and other episodes streaming online, visit bluegrassandbackroads.com.