Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program

09/04/2026

The Fall Soybean Sentinel is in the mail and online now! Our Farmer Focus this issue is on Mary Beth Baker and Alana Baker Dunn of River Bend Farms near Cadiz.

09/04/2026

This week we are highlighting the one and only, Heather Graham! Heather has proudly called Wolfe County her home for the past 15 years and is honored to represent the Kentucky farmers on the Agricultural Development Board. The way Heather approaches each decision is by considering both the immediate impact and the long-term potential for Kentucky agriculture. Moving agriculture forward means investing in opportunities that strengthen farms and agribusinesses, encourage innovation and diversification, expand markets, and build the infrastructure and services needed to support our agricultural economy.

She recognizes that agriculture looks different across the Commonwealth, and believes our investments should create meaningful opportunities for farmers, agribusinesses, technical service providers, and communities throughout Kentucky. Ultimately, she wants the decisions we make today, to help ensure Kentucky agriculture remains strong, resilient, and full of opportunity for the next generation. Please welcome Heather!

08/22/2026

Whitney Churchman Monin & her family doing BIG (literally) things at the State Fair!

Josh Monin of Caneyville set a new State Fair record in the Kentucky State Fair’s Largest Pumpkin Contest. His huge gourd weighed 1,882.4 pounds.

Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell presented Monin with a check for $3,764.80, or $2 per pound.

08/13/2026

08/06/2026

Class 15’s Jacob Ball

07/15/2026

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. 🍎

07/14/2026

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.

07/14/2026

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