Why KFB?

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. You can access the application for the 2025 Farmer of the Year by clicking the link below. Applications are due by April 18, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET. 

2025 KFB Farmer of the Year Application 

The 2025 Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Tour will be held in Louisiana in April of 2025. This will be a great opportunity for Kentucky Farm Bureau members to tour successful livestock and agricultural operations and to enjoy some fun activities along the way. We expect a high level of member interest in this tour. 

Applications for this tour are now closed. 

The Institute for Future Agricultural Leaders (IFAL) Program is a unique five-day summer leadership conference that exposes students to college life and explores different fields of study for careers in agriculture. IFAL allows high school juniors to choose between separate conferences at two of Kentucky’s premier universities. This year’s IFAL conferences will be held June 15-19, 2025, at Murray State University in Murray and June 22-26, 2025, at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.  

The IFAL program helps students become more familiar with Farm Bureau, promote agricultural-related career choices, provide leadership development opportunities, and promote each participating university. 

IFAL Guidelines:

• Students may state their preference concerning which IFAL session they wish to attend. However, stating a preference does not guarantee selection to a specific conference. No one will be assigned to an IFAL conference they did not initially select without personal contact with, and approval from, the student or a family member.

• The conference is only for students who are currently high school juniors.

• Kentucky Farm Bureau and the universities will only accept the 45 most qualified applicants for each IFAL conference, so be selective in whom you nominate. The student must be enrolled in a pre-college curriculum.

• Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, April 1, 2025 to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. 

• Students should be transported to and from IFAL by a parent, guardian, youth advisor or Farm Bureau representative. If a student drives, his or her car keys must be given to the Farm Bureau representative on-site for safekeeping.

• Approval for each student applying will be asked via email to a county Farm Bureau official for acceptance. The county’s approval is their guarantee to pay for the student’s registration for the program. County Farm Bureaus will be invoiced following the IFAL conferences.  Please do not send payment prior to receiving an invoice. The fee is $400.00 per participant.

If you have any questions, please contact Taylor Nash at (502) 495-5000, ext. 37374, or via e-mail at Taylor.Nash@kyfb.com

IFAL Application

The purpose of the Outstanding Farm Bureau Youth Contest is to promote youth involvement in county Farm Bureau activities and to recognize leadership, achievements and awards in their schools and communities.

Contestants must...

• Must be 14 years old at the time of the county contest, but not have reached 19 years old, by January 1 of the following year;
• Be a member of Kentucky Farm Bureau and represent the county in which the parent/guardian has their membership;  
• Submit a contest application, along with a certified copy of school grades for the past two years and a listing of extra-curricular activities, to the women's chair of his/her county Farm Bureau by the deadline;  
• Represent the county at the district contest held between October and November annually;  
• Represent his/her district at the state competition at the Kentucky Farm Bureau State Annual Meeting in Louisville in early December, if selected as one of the 11 district finalists (male and female).

There are two areas of competition:

• Personal interview
• 2-minute prepared speech related to agriculture or Farm Bureau

Contestants will be judged by three people with backgrounds in youth work and/or agriculture.
 

OFBY Prizes

• County/District Awards - Prizes awarded in varying amounts.
• District Awards - Outstanding Farm Bureau Youth Winners - $100*
• State Awards-All state contestants will receive a 26" wheeled duffel bag

*Participation in the state contest is a requirement to be awarded this prize.

Winners:

•  $3,500 scholarship 
•  Watch
•  Luggage
•  Trip to Washington, DC on the Congressional Tour in February

Runners-up

• Portfolio
• $300

Congeniality

• $100

2024 OFBY Application 

2024 OFBY Handbook

OFFICERS

DIRECTORS

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.”

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. 

Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) was recognized with four Awards of Excellence at American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 106th Convention in San Antonio on January 26.

The Awards of Excellence recognize state Farm Bureaus that demonstrated outstanding achievements in four program areas during 2024: Advocacy, Coalitions & Partnerships, Engagement & Outreach and Leadership & Business Development. KFB was recognized in all four categories. 

“We’re proud to be honored by our peers as a Farm Bureau that is advocating for farm families,” said KFB President Eddie Melton. “More than 380 KFB members were with us in San Antonio to celebrate this milestone — one of the largest delegations from any state. Exceptional engagement like this from our members is typical in all we do. I am so pleased to see  our volunteer leaders be recognized for their hard work.”

Historically, the coldest day of the year for the Bluegrass State falls in mid- to late January, so that means the days of icy windshields and frost-covered lawns won't be over for quite some time.     

Remember that harsh winter weather can also take a toll on your home, most infamously in the form of frozen pipes. One of the unique properties of water is that it expands as it freezes. This expansion applies pressure to whatever is containing it – in this case, a home’s pipes – sometimes to the point of rupture.       

Frozen water can wreak havoc on metal or plastic pipes, no matter their strength. Pipes that are most susceptible to freezing are those exposed to severe cold… like outdoor hose hookups, swimming pool supply lines and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.   

According to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), a 1/8th inch crack in a pipe can spew up to 250 gallons of water a day! Water damage and freezing account for almost 22 percent of all homeowners’ insurance claims, averaging $4,024 per claim, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).       

Luckily, there are several things you can do to ensure your home stays cozy and dry this winter season.    

In exceptionally cold weather, IBHS recommends you take preventative action:   

• Turn the thermostat to a minimum of 55 degrees, even if the house is unoccupied. While this preventative measure may rack up a higher heating bill in uninhabited homes, it will greatly reduce the chances of a costly repair job.    
• If the home is going to be vacant for an extended period of time, turn off and drain the water supply prior to leaving.
• Turn the hot and cold water taps to a trickle. Water slowly moving throughout the pipes may help keep them from freezing.
• Leave kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around the plumbing.     
• Ensure exposed pipes in the attic and crawl spaces are protected by insulation. Inexpensive foam sleeves are a great, cost-effective way to insulate exposed pipes and are available at most home improvement and hardware stores.   
• Make sure that garden hoses are disconnected and drained before the first hard freeze of the season. If water in a hose freezes and expands, it can increase pressure throughout the whole plumbing system and, in turn, burst an interior pipe. Additionally, outdoor spigot covers, like foam domes, provide a protective layer from frigid outdoor air.    

If you notice that pipes are frozen, move quickly!

• Turn on both hot and cold taps.
• Find the problem area. A line coated in frost or bulging like a just-fed snake is usually a good indicator.
• Once the frozen segment is identified, shut off the water supply to that area.
• Apply heat to the frozen area using towels soaked in hot water, a blow-dryer or an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe. DO NOT use a kerosene or propane heater or any type of open-flame device!
• If you cannot identify the frozen area or if the area is inaccessible, immediately call a licensed professional.
• To be safe, have a professional inspect the pipes for damage and cracks following a hard freeze.     

>> At Kentucky Farm Bureau, we’re just as invested in your home as you are. We protect what’s important to you – from farms and fishing boats to minivans and mobile homes. To see a full list of products we insure, click here.

Check out the video below and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more Tools and Resources.

Lucky for Kentuckians, salt helps keep our roadways drivable even when Old Man Winter has other plans. According to Wheeler Nevels, Roadway Preservation Manager with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the Bluegrass state annually spreads about 500 million pounds of salt on 63,000 lane miles of Kentucky roadways. That’s more than 100 pounds per Kentuckian!  

On a national level, The Smithsonian Institution reports that more than 22 million tons of salt are scattered on U.S. roads annually.   

While salt is good for removing ice from the roads, it can be very bad for the cars on those roads. That magical substance used for de-icing can also de-paint your car. Saline streets can wreak havoc on the undercarriage and body of a vehicle, eating away at paint, causing rust and opening the door to more serious issues. Due to their proximity to the undercarriage, two crucial areas especially vulnerable to corrosion and rust are the brake and fuel lines.          

Once the sun comes out and melts the snow, it’s a great time to give your car some attention and wash off all that roadway gunk and grime.   

Here are some tips to show your car the love all season long and ensure its wellbeing come spring:   

• Get regular car washes! Spray your car down at least once a week in snowy conditions, and visit a car wash that targets the undercarriage at least once a month and after winter storms. It may help to view this expense as required vehicle maintenance, as it could save you money on costly damages later.
• If your car exceeds 8 years old, it’s going to need some extra TLC. Several years of exposure to winter road salts can take its toll. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), vehicle models made in 2007 and earlier are especially susceptible to brake pipe corrosion due to salt exposure. Have a mechanic regularly inspect for corrosion, and take notice of how your brake pedal feels in cold weather. Any changes could indicate a leak in the brake pipes.        
• Use a synthetic wax to provide a protective barrier from harsh salt.    
• Once spring arrives, thoroughly detail the exterior so that salt doesn’t sit on the surface.
• Prep for winter weather early next season, and make sure to pay special attention to any chips or scrapes in the paint, as those areas will be more susceptible to rust.

>> We want you to be safe out there on the road… but accidents still happen. At Kentucky Farm Bureau, we’ve got agents in all 120 counties. Click to find one near you.

Jed Clark, Chair
District 1 – Graves Co.

Katie Cecil-Pedigo, Vice Chair
District 2 – Daviess Co.

Brad Hines
District 3 – Hart Co.

Micah Thomas
District 4 - Allen Co.

Melissa Huggett
District 5 - Bullitt Co.

Mark Mullins
District 6 – Trimble Co.

Sara Beth Guffey
District 7 – Clinton Co.

Greg Harris
District 8 – Madison Co.

Rob McClanahan
District 9 – Pendleton Co.

Jason McGlone
District 10 – Carter

Nathan Boggs
District 11 – Harlan

Scott Bouldin, Secretary
KFB Mutual Insurance Company – Warren Co.

Phillip Greene
KFB Mutual Insurance Company – Nicholas Co.

Eligibility & Purpose of Exhibit:
In order to encourage more teachers to incorporate agriculture themes in their classroom instruction, especially in science, Kentucky Farm Bureau offers students in grades 4-8 an opportunity to participate in the trade show of its annual meeting which attracts approximately 2, 000 Farm Bureau members from across the state. Other groups such as 4-H clubs and FFA chapters are also eligible.

Judging Criteria:
Eleven student representatives from across the state will be selected to exhibit their agriculture science projects at the trade show. There is no limit on the number of applications submitted per county, however, only one representative will be chosen per district to participate at the KFB Annual Meeting Trade Show.

Selection of the science exhibits will be based on the following criteria:

• Creativity - 25 points
• Skill - 15 points
• Agricultural Accuracy - 20 points
• Scientific Thought - 25 points
• Clarity & Thoroughness - 15 points

Categories:
The following types of projects may be selected: experiment, demonstration, research, apparatus or collection. Students are encouraged to enter projects which they may have completed for science fairs earlier in the school year. A separate project does not have to be completed specifically for this event. Projects may be from these categories:

• Biological Sciences (Plant or Animal)
• Environmental Sciences (Natural Resources, Earth Sciences, Energy Production and Management)
• Food Sciences and Nutrition
• Engineering Sciences

Science Exhibit Prizes
Each student exhibitor will receive $125 and a recognition plaque for participation in the trade show. Participation in the trade show, during the KFB State Annual Meeting in December, is a requirement to be awarded the prize.

Ag Science Exhibit Application

• Be 9 years old at the time of the county contest, but not have reached 19 years old, by January 1st of the following year;
• Be a member of Kentucky Farm Bureau and represent the county in which the parent/guardian has their membership (for group acts, 50% of the group members must meet this requirement);
• Submit an application to the county Farm Bureau women's chair by the deadline;
• Represent the district at the state variety showcase at the Kentucky Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, in Louisville, if selected as a district winner.

District variety contests are held in conjunction with the Outstanding Farm Bureau Youth competition. The variety act may be in any performance area: vocal, instrumental, dance or drama. An act can represent the district only one year at the state variety showcase.

Variety Showcase Prizes

• County/District Awards - Prizes awarded at the discretion of the county/district.
• State Awards - All 11 district acts perform at the KFB State Annual Meeting. Each act is awarded $250 at the conclusion of the program.

Variety Showcase Application