On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Taylor Nash — former Kentucky FFA state officer and current Director of Young Farmer Programs at Kentucky Farm Bureau — shares his inspiring journey from FFA to a leadership role supporting young farmers, emphasizing the value of grassroots advocacy and community engagement. Links: Kentucky Farm Bureau Collegiate Farm Bureau Kentucky Farmland Transition Initiative The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter Yuka...
Jan 20, 2025•22 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Growing Kentucky's Leaders co-hosts Sheldon McKinney and Ruth Ann Fink as they celebrate a year of fostering leadership across Kentucky through heartfelt conversations and inspiring stories. From impactful advice to community contributions, discover how leaders are making a difference in the Bluegrass. Links: Top Moments of 2024: Part 1 Top Moments of 2024: Part 2 First episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry Nick Carter episode Certified Fund Raising Executive (C...
Jan 13, 2025•26 min•Season 2Ep. 1
This week on Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Coty Back talks about his past FFA experience and his career in learning and development. Links: Menifee County FFA Kentucky FFA State Officers National FFA Officers
Jan 06, 2025•28 min
On this week's episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Joenelle Wetzler — Director of Learning and Development at Simmons Foods — explains how what she learned through FFA and agricultural education transfers to her career today. Links: Daviess County FFA Kentucky FFA Officers National FFA Officers Simmons Food Joenelle and Jason Give FFA Day video The Comfort Crisis...
Dec 30, 2024•20 min
This week on Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Kentucky FFA Executive Secretary Matt Chaliff shares his journey of mentoring generations of FFA members, preserving the rich history of the organization and guiding the future of agricultural education. Links: Rockcastle County FFA UK Agriculture Education Jessamine County FFA Taylor County FFA Kentucky FFA Flickr Jonathan Shell, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner...
Dec 23, 2024•45 min
From leadership advice to the power of giving time, talent and treasure, listen in as we highlight some of our favorite moments on the podcast from the past year. Show notes: Joenelle Wetzler episode Amelia Tucker episode David Beck episode Niki Ellis episode Kirby Green episode...
Dec 16, 2024•12 min
From leadership advice to the power of giving time, talent and treasure, listen in as we highlight some of our favorite moments on the podcast from the past year. Links: Coty Back Episode Anthony Koch Episode Conner Richardson Episode Toni Myers Episode Jeremy Hall Episode...
Dec 09, 2024•13 min
This week on Growing Kentucky's Leaders, ninth-generation farmers and brothers, Riley and Colson Pierce share how family, innovation and a passion for community fuel their vision for the future of farming. Links: Riley Pierce, State Star Farmer Southwestern FFA Total Acre Precision Technology Institute AGCO Corporation...
Dec 02, 2024•23 min
This week on Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Bradon Burks — Director of Education for the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association — discusses the cattle industry, youth advocacy and how education shapes the future of farming. Links: Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association Niki Ellis My Utmost for His Highest...
Nov 25, 2024•29 min
On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, we chat with David Grigson, Community President of First Southern National Bank, about his journey from FFA member to banker, the importance of financial stewardship and how investing in young agricultural entrepreneurs shapes our communities. Links: Lincoln County FFA Campbellsville University Pitman Creek Wholesale The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry...
Nov 18, 2024•26 min
On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Caleb Canada — the 2024 Kentucky FFA State Star in Agricultural Placement — shares his inspiring journey from a quiet student to a leader in the agricultural industry and active duty member of the Kentucky National Guard. Hear about his hands-on experiences, leadership growth and the challenges he overcame. Links: Whitley County FFA 2024 State Star in Agriculture Placement Moonlight Meat Processing Kentucky National Guard University of the Cumberlan...
Nov 11, 2024•20 min
On this episode of Growing Kentucky’s Leaders, Kentucky FFA State Officers Emily Chunglo and Jameson Williams share their personal journeys, leadership lessons and the pivotal role FFA has played in building their confidence and skills. Links: Mercer County FFA WKU Agriculture WKU Communications Menifee County FFA MSU Agriculture Education Kentucky FFA Grants...
Nov 04, 2024•32 min
On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Kirby Green shares her journey from a farm in Breckenridge County to National Sales Manager at Mutiny Crop Performance. Kirby shares her career in agriculture, the life-changing impact of FFA and her dedication to mentorship and lifelong learning. Links: Kentucky FFA Foundation Board of Trustees Breckenridge County FFA Mutiny Crop Performance Sharpen: The Podcast for Young Professionals Murray State Agriculture Life Council by Laura Tremaine Essenti...
Oct 28, 2024•40 min
On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Anthony Koch — Kentucky FFA Foundation board member and Director of Sales and Marketing at Hallway Feeds — shares his family’s deep history in the equine industry. He discusses Hallway Feeds' role in equine nutrition, the importance of service and the wide range of career opportunities in the equine industry. Tune in for leadership insights, career advice and stories from Kentucky’s horse country. Links: Kentucky FFA Foundation Board of Trustees Hal...
Oct 21, 2024•43 min
This week on Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Nicki Ellis, Executive Director of the Kentucky Pork Producers Association, shares insights into her leadership role, the scale of Kentucky’s pork industry and career opportunities in agriculture. She reflects on how Kentucky FFA shaped her journey, her passion for advocacy and offers advice for young people looking to step into the field. Tune in to hear how Nicki balances everything from policy work to hands-on farming. Links: Kentucky Pork Producers Un...
Oct 14, 2024•29 min
On this week’s episode of Growing Kentucky’s Leaders, Dr. Tony Brannon — retired dean of Murray State University’s Hutson School of Agriculture — shares his journey from the farm to his involvement in FFA and eventually his career in agricultural education. He discusses how FFA shaped his leadership skills and career, his transition into teaching and how he landed his role at Murray State University. Dr. Brannon emphasizes the importance of education, FFA's role in developing students and the ne...
Oct 07, 2024•40 min
On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Devin Fuhrman of Nationwide Insurance discusses the role of agriculture educators and the significance of the Golden Owl Award, a Nationwide Insurance initiative recognizing outstanding agriculture teachers. Links: Nationwide Insurance Golden Owl Award Nominations
Sep 30, 2024•23 min
Kentucky FFA state officers Avery Cole and Mary Brooke Stith share their agricultural backgrounds and how FFA shaped their leadership journeys. They emphasize the importance of making every FFA member feel included. Links: South Warren FFA Meade County FFA Kentucky FFA State Officers Murray State Agricultural Science WKU Agriculture...
Sep 23, 2024•25 min
On this of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Sheldon and Ruth Ann are joined by father-son duo Andrew Fritsch, an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Bourbon County High School, and Joe Fritsch, Bourbon County FFA member and Kentucky FFA State Talent winner. Andrew discusses his career as an agriculture teacher and Joe talks about his FFA journey. Links: Bourbon County High School FFA NAAE Ideas Unlimited Award Ag Innovation Grants Julie Fritsch Creative...
Sep 16, 2024•31 min
This week on Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Rockcastle County High School FFA Advisors Matthew Whitaker and Lewis Mink discuss the success of their chapter and what inspired their careers in agriculture education. Links: Rockcastle County High School FFA KAAE Outstanding AgEd Program of the Year UK AgEd Loctus Trace AgriScience Center...
Sep 09, 2024•33 min
On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, LuAnn Coffey shares her extensive leadership experience from her family's multi-generational agribusiness, Tarter Farm and Ranch Equipment, and discusses her passion for agriculture and storytelling. Links: Kentucky FFA Foundation Board of Trustees Tarter Farm and Ranch Equipment
Sep 02, 2024•29 min
On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Kenny Brammell — East Carter FFA advisor — and his grandson, Blaine Brammell — a 2024 Kentucky FFA state officer — discuss their experiences in agriculture education and leadership. Links: 2024 Ag Teachers Change Lives Award Recipient East Carter FFA Big Sandy River Region State Vice President University of Kentucky Forestry...
Aug 26, 2024•22 min
In this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, David Beck — President and CEO of Kentucky Venues — shares how his involvement with FFA and his educational journey, including student teaching and working on a farm, shaped his appreciation for agriculture and leadership. Links: Kentucky Venues Lyon County FFA Kentucky Farm Bureau Kentucky State Fair Lyon County FFA Forever Blue Endowment Fund...
Aug 19, 2024•35 min
This week on Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Trenton Page (Kentucky FFA State President) and Jacob Rudy (Kentucky FFA State Treasurer) share their experiences as state officers thus far and what inspired them to apply for their positions. Kentucky FFA State Officers Adair County FFA Apollo FFA
Aug 12, 2024•31 min
On this week's episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Daniel Bustle shares the importance of finding your passion and networking. Loctus Trace AgriScience Center Bi-Water Farm Rockcastle County FFA UK Agriculture Education SAE Grants KAAE Owl Tales Podcast...
Aug 05, 2024•31 min
On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Chapel Tinius explains the role she'll have in Kentucky agriculture while she serves as Miss Kentucky 2024. Links: 2024 Miss Kentucky Bowling Green High School Belmont University VA in Lexington, KY Kentucky Proud Carry the Load Honor Flight Kentucky Department of Agriculture Sunshine Class...
Jul 29, 2024•27 min
On this week’s episode of Growing Kentucky’s Leaders, JR Shinkle — Wright Implement Salesman and Kentucky FFA Board Member — talks about the value of partnerships, specifically through the Kentucky FFA Works program. Links: Gallatin County FFA Chapter FFA Board of Trustees Wright Implement Kentucky FFA Works Blue and Gold Gala...
Jul 15, 2024•22 min
This week on Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Taylor Cook — owner of Taylor Belle's — talks about the important role FFA played in her following her dreams and becoming a successful business owner. Links: Anderson County FFA Taylor Belle's Taylor Belle's and Burgers SAE Grants...
Jul 08, 2024•13 min
On this week's episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Kentucky FFA State Advisor Kristan Wright discusses the importance of urban agriculture. Links: Seneca High School FFA UK Agricultural Education SAE Grants
Jul 01, 2024•23 min
This week on Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Pulaski County FFA Advisor Janella Miller shares the importance of investing in agriculture and the impact it has on students. Links: Pulaski County FFA Kentucky Association of Agriculture Educators (KAAE) SAE Grants
Jun 24, 2024•21 min
