Growing Kentucky's Leaders: A Podcast by the Kentucky FFA Foundation

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

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

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

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...

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

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:...

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 ad...

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 h...

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 Universi...

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

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On this week's episode, Brady Lawson — incoming student body president at Morehead State University — tells us how his experiences through FFA prepared him as a leader. Links: Kentucky FFA State Officers Morgan County FFA Political Science at MSU

On this week’s episode, Central Kentucky Ag Credit President and CEO Jonathan Noe discusses the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone and how FFA provides the perfect space for that. Links: Central Kentucky Ag Credit Annie’s Project SAE Grants