With nearly 300 Kentucky Farm Bureau members in attendance, this year’s state Women’s Leadership Conference provided plenty of information and updates for those attending.

There were several breakout sessions in which attendees heard from state and national Farm Bureau leaders, updates on legislative initiatives, and participated in hands-on learning activities.

And while many of them have been making this state event an annual occurrence for many years, there is a growing number of newer generations making their way to this and countless county meetings across the state. 

Holly Tucker of Shelby County fits into that "next generation" category. She and her husband James, partner with James's brother Jeremy on their Twin J Farms where they grow corn, soybeans, and wheat, along with raising cattle, a small flock of chickens, and a few dairy show cows.

While the farm and homeschooling their three children would seem to all any one person could handle, Holly finds time to be active in her local Farm Bureau serving on its board and Women’s Committee Chair.

This year’s state conference marked the fourth for her and is something she said has proven to be very valuable.

“My husband, who was already involved in Farm Bureau when we got married in 2011, told me that If you wanted something done you needed to be involved and you can't expect other people to do it," she said. “So, I began to attend meetings with him but stepped back for a few years as we began to have children. Now, however, they are older, and I've gotten more involved and really see the value the county women's committees bring to the organization and ultimately to our local communities.”

Like so many of the women farmers everywhere, they play a pivotal role on the farm, and they have brought that work ethic and a sense of dedication to Farm Bureau and all the activities in which they are involved, especially when it comes to serving others.

“Our county participated in the recent Food Checkout program held last February, at the capital, and we are also heavily involved in our county’s backpack program that helps to feed close to 400 students over the weekend.”

Educating a public far removed from the farm is also a priority for her and local committees throughout the KFB organization.

“Our county is bringing back a program called ‘Ag in You’ where local 5th-grade students will come to our fairgrounds for a day where we will showcase agriculture and teach them where their food comes from,” Holly said. “We’ll break the information down, so it is understandable and show them that some of the food is grown right here in Shelby County.”

A new generation on the farm and in Farm Bureau

Holly and her husband are first-generation farmers, working nearly 3,000 acres of owned and leased land to make their living, a feat that some may consider nearly impossible unless you really want it, she said.

“You have to want to do this and be dedicated to the farm to make it happen, but it is so hard for younger farm families with the price of land and equipment,” she said. “We were fortunate to have help and mentorship from Jack and Gwyn Trumbo (Jack Trumbo is a past KFB Farmer of the Year). I honestly don't know how a new generation can get started without some kind of help or with a mentor."

Holly admits, when younger, that marrying a farmer and homeschooling three children was not something she thought she’d be doing, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s a lot of work but worth it and I will let my children decide on their own if they want to farm when the time comes to make that decision,” she said. “If they want to do it, I'll stand behind them 100 percent. If they want to pursue a trade that'll be beneficial to farming, I'll support that, as well. It's whatever they want to do.”

When her 10-year-old son Raylon was asked if he wanted to farm someday, his answer was an emphatic “yes.” When asked why, he said, “I'm growing something that helps to feed other people!”

The message from KFB’s President

KFB President Eddie Melton addressed the Women’s Leadership Conference emphasizing the important role those members play and their overall importance to KFB advocacy efforts.

"The work you do at the county and state levels is critical to the success of Farm Bureau and our agriculture industry," he told the gathering. "This conference helps to provide information you need to make informed policy decisions, to network with other members, and to take away new ideas that can be implemented in your counties."

Melton also said that encouraging a new generation on the farm and in Farm Bureau with help to ensure the future success of agriculture.

“For more than 100 years, we have seen generation after generation take up farming and the mission of Farm Bureau,” he said. “It is as critical now as it has ever been to keep moving in the right direction and be strong advocates for the sake of the family farm and our rural way of life.”