Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program

Class 15’s Jacob Ball

Starting the day off at AppleAtcha, where former surface coal mines are being transformed into thriving apple orchards that create new opportunities for Eastern Kentucky. A stellar example of innovation and resilience. 🍎

We visited the Robinson Wood Utilization Center and finished beautiful cutting boards. We also discussed wood products, leadership in disaster recovery from the 2022 floods, and how a community center can serve those in the region.

Starting Day 2, we are visiting a surface mine to discuss coal mining, extractive resources, and reclamation.

Our first day with Class 15 in Eastern Kentucky focused on tourism and forestry. Beginning with tourism in the Red River Gorge area, we discussed how tourism influences the economy and the culture of the region. We were also to make a stop at the Kentucky Reptile Zoo, where they collect venom for research and the production of anti-venom. We spent the evening at Robinson Forest discussing forestry and enjoying some time together!

KY Corn President Micah Lester was featured on the WKDZ Morning Ag Report last week to promote Farmers for Soil Health, a program that pays participants for planting cover crops.

The grant funds are distributed on a first-come basis, so the sooner you sign up, the better.

Listen to the interview here! 👇

https://tinyurl.com/farmersforsoilhealthinterview

To learn more and start enrollment, visit https://farmersforsoilhealth.com/enrollment/ and contact Adam Andrews with questions.

📷: Photo courtesy of WKDZ

Belated congratulations to Class 8's Anthony Koch on his Honorary State FFA Degree!

We are continuing our National FFA Week celebration with Anthony Koch, Director of Sales & Marketing for @hallwayfeeds in Lexington, KY! 🌾 Anthony credits FFA with putting him on the path to success. What started as following one of his older brothers into ag classes quickly turned into an all-in commitment, one that shaped his confidence, leadership style, and career in relationship-driven sales. Through FFA, Anthony discovered opportunities that stretched far beyond the classroom: judging teams, state and national conventions, and a pivotal experience at the Washington Leadership Conference (WLC) that helped him realize he thrived participating in leadership training and development. That confidence carried him forward to serve as Kentucky FFA State Treasurer and earn his American FFA Degree. His SAE project took off as he oversaw nurse mares and the Thoroughbred foals they would raise; his nurse mare raised the favorite for the 1997 Kentucky Derby, Pulpit! 🏇 Today, Anthony continues to give back as a Kentucky FFA Foundation Board member, advocating for the program that taught him how to speak with confidence, lead meetings, build trust, and turn relationships into long-term success. 💬: “Be the first one up, the last one to bed, and experience every opportunity they put in front of you.” #TeamKentucky #FFA #Agriculture #CareerGrowth #NationalFFAWeek #KentuckyFFA #EquineIndustry | @kentuckyffa

Congratulations to Class 6’s Bill McCloskey for being recognized at today’s joint Ag Development Board/Ky Ag Finance Board Meetings for his 25 years of service to KOAP/GOAP!