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For many years, Kentucky Farm Bureau has given farmers the opportunity to gain recognition for their hard work and knowledge about agriculture through participation in our young farmer contests. Back in 2006, we began a recognition program for farmers of all ages called the Farmer of the Year award. This program rewards farmers for their commitment to excellence in the agriculture industry and their efficiency in farming practices, sound financial management, and leadership in civic organizations.

There are many innovative and successful farmers in Kentucky and this awards program seeks to recognize them for their outstanding farming operations and leadership in our industry. We appreciate your help in recruiting farmers for this contest. If you have any questions about the Farmer of the Year contest or would like to nominate someone for this award, please do not hesitate to contact Renee Carrico, Commodity Division Director at (502) 495-5000.

I don’t believe there has ever been a group of older folks, such as myself, who didn’t complain about the younger generation following them. And yes, I have done that on occasion.

However, I was young at one point in my life and truly believe the generation before me, including my own sweet parents, had reservations about us “kids” and how we would turn out as adults and what damage we might do to the world we live in.

With that said, I was fortunate enough to have been raised by parents that instilled a work ethic in me, taught me right from wrong, and never failed to tell me they loved me and were proud of me, even at times when they could have easily not been very proud.

I certainly wasn’t perfect, and neither are the younger generations making their way into a very difficult grown-up world we live in today.

Whenever I feel aggravated, for whatever reason, at one of these Generation Zs or Generation Alphas as they are known, I think back to my days as a teenager. I’m sure I did my share of things that led to aggravation by my elders.

Several years ago, I happened to be having lunch at a restaurant where a large group of my high school teachers had gathered for a retirement event. As I left, I passed their table and several spoke up to say hello. 

I took the opportunity to thank them for their efforts and to collectively apologize for any mischief I may have caused them during my school career. Luckily, they laughed and said I wasn’t that bad! I wasn’t sure how to take that, but I did feel a sense of relief in my confession to them.

More recently, I have had the opportunity to visit with or hear from several young people who have been the subject of interviews for a magazine story or a Farm Bureau connection during our recent annual meeting.

And I have to say, I don’t believe I have ever met a more dynamic, well spoken, and generally pleasant group of young people, with the exception of my own children, of course. (They read this column!)

With each encounter, I walked away feeling such a sense of comfort knowing what great leaders these “kids” will become one of these days. I can assure you that the future will be bright with such well-rounded young people looking to take the world by storm as they grow.

While not all of those that make up these younger generations will be as “dynamic,” the potential is there for all of them, perhaps if we show them a little grace when one messes up our fast-food order or offer some mentorship for those still searching a path forward.

After all, even some of us older folks are still searching for a path, as we travel down the backroads. 

Candid Conversation presents a discussion about the topical issues related to Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) priorities, the agricultural industry, and rural communities, in a question-and-answer format. In this edition, University of Kentucky Student Caroline Groth, the new National FFA Eastern Region Vice President discusses her journey to this national post and what the FFA organization has meant to her.

KFB: Would you share a little about your agricultural background with our readers?

CG: My ag background is a little different than most. I'm from Lexington, Kentucky. I didn't grow up on a farm, and I don't come from a multi-generational farming background. I actually lived in a little neighborhood growing up.

But in 2014, my family moved onto a farm. My dad had shown sheep when he was younger, and it was always his dream for his kids to do the same. In 2015, we purchased our first three ewes and through showing sheep at the county fair, I met my future ag teachers who encouraged me to attend Fayette County’s o Locust Trace Agri-Science Center and become involved in FFA.

I knew nothing about the organization and was a little nervous about it. But I'm glad I trusted them because joining FFA, and going to Locust Trace was the best decision I could have possibly made for my high school career. I remember walking in my first day of freshman year, and finally feeling at home.

KFB: For those unfamiliar with Locust Trace, this 82-acre farm is operated by staff, in conjunction with students, and includes a vegetable and flower garden, orchard, greenhouse, aquaculture lab, food science lab, veterinary sciences labs, equine arena/barn, livestock barn, pastures, and equine paddocks. An independently operated veterinary clinic is also located on campus. You’re FFA experience began there, correct?

CG: Yes. The moment I became involved in FFA my freshman year, I knew I wanted to be a chapter officer. I remember attending my first National FFA Convention, climbing up on one of those big tractors that they have in the expo center, looking over the sea of blue jackets and just thinking, "Wow. I want to be a part of this group and I want to be a leader in this group."

I learned how to be a leader from within, and how to cheer on those who were leading around me and above me. I served as Bluegrass Regional president my senior year and as state president my freshman year of college. And now, I'm here.

KFB: Did you ever think about this, the first day you stepped into that school, that you would be where you are today?

CG: Definitely not. It was for sure a dream that I had after attending that first National FFA Convention, and meeting with state officers and other national officers. But as somebody who didn't come from a super big ag background or FFA legacy family, I didn't think it was something that I could do. I didn't think it was something that I could accomplish. But it was truly the people in my life, my mentors, my ag teachers, and my family who helped me realize that my dreams can become attainable goals.

One of my favorite quotes comes from Theodore Roosevelt. That's, "Believe you can and you're halfway there." But as I've grown up, I've come to learn that it's not always about believing in ourselves, it's about having other people who believe in us first that encourage us to believe in ourselves. I feel like I've gotten to where I am today because of the community of people who've poured into me.

KFB: You've become quite the advocate for FFA and agriculture. How's that feel, and how does that fit in to where you are now?

CG: It's a big responsibility, and it's not one that I take lightly. But it's one that I take with such pride. I feel so honored to get to be an advocate. I like to refer to myself as a story-keeper. Throughout my year as state president, I got to travel across the Commonwealth, meet with all of these amazing members, sponsors, donors, and hear their stories. And I think being an advocate is not only about telling your story, but about telling others’ stories, and meeting people where they're at.

KFB: As you begin your tenure as a national officer, I know your schedule has to be crazy. What are some of the things that are going to take place that you'll be involved with?

CG: Yes. I have gone from traveling the state, to traveling the United States, which is kind of crazy and real exciting to think about it.

As a group, we got to attend the turkey pardoning at the Whitehouse last November and in January, I'm going to Japan. I'm really excited for that. Throughout the year, we travel for about 300 days and get to go all across the US. From Alaska, to Hawaii, everywhere in between. I cannot wait to meet members from across the country. FFA now has over one million members, and I'm excited to have over one million new friends after this year. We’ll be facilitating workshops at local chapters, giving keynotes at state conventions, visiting FFA camps across the country, and visiting with industry leaders, sponsors, and donors from across the country.

KFB: It's a lot of hard work, though. How do you balance all that?

CG: I think last year really prepared me to go into this, learning time management skills serving as a state officer this past year. In Kentucky, it's unique because we not only serve as a state officer, but we're also balancing college life and classes while we're in our year of service. There's a lot of states that don't do that. But I feel like that experience really equipped me for going into this season of life.

I’ll be learning a lot of good life skills. But through the busy seasons of life, the way that I keep from being overwhelmed is just staying grounded whether it's talking on the phone, doing my daily devotion, or writing in a journal, it’s just things to help me clear my mind.

KFB: Do you see yourself as an example to other people? I can imagine that there are a lot of people out there that you've touched their lives in some way. Do you ever think about that?

CG: I think that's such an honor. I'm very fortunate to be in a position where I feel like people are viewing me as an example. But I think me as an example, it's all about the people who've helped shape me.

There's a lot of people that I look up to as leaders and I take little snippets of their style to help form my own. I hope people who view me as an example can do that, too.

KFB: I know that there are a lot of things that National FFA will have as priorities. What are some of the things you're going to be talking about?

CG: We're always advocating for career and technical education and the importance of the life-changing impacts that it can have on students. Also, the inclusion that FFA as an organization has. As I said, I don't come from a traditional ag background, but I have such a place in FFA. It truly is a family, and that everybody has a place within the organization.

I think we're also always advocating for our motto and our vision. FFA's goal is to create the next generation of future leaders. All of our membership, once they graduate from FFA, will to go and be leaders somewhere in their lives, whether it's in their church, in their community, or on their farm.

KFB: When this year is up and you're back in school, do you mind to share with us a little bit about your studies, and maybe where you're going as far as a career?

CG: I'm currently a sophomore at the University of Kentucky. I'm double majoring in ag education and ag economics. My plan is to go to law school after I finish my undergrad studies. I don't necessarily want to be practice law, but my dream job is to one day be the first female Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of Kentucky. If that somehow changes as I continue to go on this path of life, I would not at all be upset if I ended up working for Kentucky Farm Bureau!

KFB: What do you hope to take with you one day, when maybe your FFA days are maybe behind you? What do you think is going to be the biggest thing that you are learning now that will benefit you in the future?

CG: It would have to be the importance of relationships. I remember from a young age, my dad stressed to me the importance of surrounding yourself with successful people. I think that's something that FFA has really instilled in me. I like to refer to my successful people as my Board of Directors. Whenever I have a big decision to make, or just something going on that I want to chat about, my Board of Directors is who I turn to. FFA has taught me that it's so important to surround yourself with those people, because who you spend your time with is who shapes you.

Former Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) President Mark Haney has been chosen as the recipient of American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2025 Founders Award, one of the national organization’s highest honors. He will be recognized on January 26 during the AFBF’s 106th Convention in San Antonio.

First presented in January 2017, AFBF’s Founders Award recognizes exemplary leadership, service, or contributions to Farm Bureau. Haney was nominated for this award by KFB and selected as the 2025 winner by a national Farm Bureau committee.

A native of Pulaski County, Haney served on the board of Kentucky Farm Bureau for more than three decades and is the longest-serving president of the organization, stepping down after 15 years as president in 2023. He is well-known for proactive engagement with legislators to ensure the voices of farmers were heard and addressed at the local, state and national level. This included the advancement of many policies and initiatives supporting agricultural growth and sustainability for farmers across the nation.  

Throughout his time at KFB, Haney played a key role in creating and implementing initiatives that enhanced agriculture in the Bluegrass state, including the Certified Farm Market Program to support local farmers, the Generation Bridge Program, which engages members between the ages of 36-50, and the Legacy Farm Program. 

“It is very humbling for me to receive this award,” Haney said. “I know the quality of people that serve in Farm Bureau and the things that they have accomplished. For me to be mentioned in that elite group is such an honor.”

“Mark is an exceptional leader,” said KFB President Eddie Melton. “He has demonstrated unparalleled leadership and dedication to farmers in Kentucky and across America’s agricultural community.”

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