Mark Haney announced today that he is stepping away from his role as president of Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) in December. Haney is the longest serving president in the organization’s history. Haney is a Pulaski County native. He and his family own Haney’s Appledale Farm in Nancy, KY where they produce apples, peaches, beef cattle, and operate a farm market on the property.

Haney was first elected as the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation president in December 2008 and as president of the Insurance Company in March 2009. He has been reelected as president every year since. Prior to becoming president, Haney served for three years as the first vice president and seven years as second vice president of the Federation and Insurance executive committees. He has served on the KFB board since 1993.

“My family has been active in Farm Bureau my entire life,” said Haney. “Kentucky Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization made up of the brightest, hardest-working people you will ever know. It has been my honor to serve alongside these terrific Kentucky farm families.”

Haney has had a distinguished career in agriculture, serving as a director of the American Farm Bureau Federation and a member of its executive committee for four years. He also is a director of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Co. and Farm Bureau BanCorp, which provides banking and financial services for Farm Bureau members in thirty-nine states, and is a member of the American Agricultural Insurance Board of Directors.

Haney is a past president of the Pulaski County Farm Bureau and the Kentucky Center for Cooperative Development. He is a past chair of Kentucky Farm Bureau’s State Resolutions Committee and the Kentucky Horticulture Council.

“Mark is an outstanding leader. His vision not only for Kentucky Farm Bureau, but for Kentucky agriculture, has been a tremendous asset to this state,” said KFB First Vice President Eddie Melton. “He is leaving a legacy of advocacy on behalf of rural communities that will be felt for generations.”

When Haney was elected in 2008, he committed to lead the organization with an open mind, a level head, and an even hand. No matter the circumstances faced by the organization, he kept that promise.

“There still is a lot of work I want to do on behalf of this organization and the industry that has supported me and my family for generations,” remarked Haney. “As I move forward from my position as president, I feel as though I have done my very best to leave it in good standing.”