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

After teaching agriculture for several years, Josh Mitcham became the Director of the Kentucky FFA Leadership Training Center in 2019. On this week’s episode, Josh talks about exciting new plans for the Kentucky FFA Leadership Training Center and his vision for the future. Links: Kentucky FFA Leadership Training Center Breckinridge County FFA Nelson County FFA Meade County FFA Tempur Sealy donates...

On this week’s episode of Growing Kentucky’s Leaders, John Hardin FFA Advisor Jeremy Hall shares how the Kentucky FFA Foundation makes possible many opportunities and empowers students across the state. Links: John Hardin FFA Facebook National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) NAAE Awards and Grants Kentucky FFA Foundation 8th Annual Blue & Gold Gala

Amelia Tucker serves as the 2023-24 Kentucky FFA State Treasurer. Amelia was a member of the Apollo FFA chapter in Owensboro, Kentucky. She is now a freshman at Western Kentucky University studying Agricultural Education. In this week's episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Amelia reminds us of the importance of sharing our stories. Links: 2023-24 Kentucky FFA State Officers Apollo FFA on...

Margo Bruce is a retired Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor from Webster County. Margo was recently awarded the Ag Teachers Change Lives Award, a high honor for agriculture teachers. Sheldon and Margo discuss FFA and student impact this week! Tune in every Monday for a new episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders!

Darilyn Hamilton is one of the Agriculture Teachers and FFA Advisors at Spencer County High School. Darilyn has been involved with FFA for a while, serving as a Kentucky FFA State Officer and a former intern for the Kentucky FFA Foundation. In this episode, Darilyn discusses some of her great memories and lessons learned from her time in FFA and education. Tune in every Monday for a new episode of...

Jacob Ball is the Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor at Carter G. Woodson Academy in Lexington, Kentucky. Jacob was recently awarded the Milken Education Award for his excellence in education. Sheldon and Ruth Ann discuss MANNRS, FFA, and the classroom with Jacob on this week's episode. Tune in every Monday for a brand new episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders!

Casey Montgomery comes to us from Spencer County, where she grew up on her family farm and fell in love with agriculture at an early age. Casey eventually joined FFA and recently served as a Kentucky FFA State Officer. in this episode, Casey talks about her time at the International Leadership Summit for State Officers. Tune in every Monday wherever you get your podcasts or Youtube for a new episo...

Adam Hinton is the owner and operator of Hinton Mills in Flemingsburg, Kentucky. Adam is also the Director of the Kentucky Welding Institute. Adam has served his community and FFA in numerous ways, including the Fleming County Tractor Parade and being a member, and Chairman, of the Kentucky FFA Foundation Board of Trustees. Tune in every Monday for a new episode wherever you get your podcasts or o...

Nick Carter hails from Lincoln County, Kentucky where he was an FFA member. Nick Carter is a retired energy company executive with a passion for FFA, which he credits for giving him a successful start in life. He uses his vast leadership experience to serve on a variety of boards, including the University of Kentucky FarmHouse Fraternity Board, Community Trust Bancorp, Alliance Resources Partners...

Jackson serves as the 2023-24 Kentucky FFA State Vice President and has been an FFA member ever since he was able to. From Spencer County, Kentucky, Jackson was exposed to agriculture and FFA at a young age while he grew up on a dairy operation with his dad also being the local FFA Advisor. Jackson discusses what FFA means to him and what he is able to do to serve members thanks to the efforts of...

Cutter & Cash come from Crittenden County, Kentucky where they are members of the Crittenden County FFA Chapter. Cutter & Cash, known as "Classy & Grassy", are a favorite to many, and in 2023, they were favorites to all of Kentucky FFA. Tune in every Monday for a new episode anywhere you get your podcasts and on Youtube!

Jourdan Palmeri is an agricultiure teacher at Marshall County High Schhol and attended Murray State University where she attained a degree in Agricultural education. Soon after graduation, Jourdan mpooved right outside of Nashville for a short amount of time to teach at a small, rural school and eventually became the agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor for Marshall County High School. On this epis...

Isaiah Pruitt is currently a senior Agribusiness Economics student at Murray State University and is a former Kentucky FFA State Officer. On this episode, Sheldon and Isaiah discuss the Shark Tank Grant, what it was like being a State FFA Officer, and leadership. Tune in every Monday for a new episode wherever you get your podcasts or on Youtube! ⁠Student Activity Sheet LINK⁠

Brian Welch is an Agriculture Teacher at Madisonville North Hopkins High School and a former State FFA Officer. On this episode, Sheldon and Ruth Ann discuss the Agriculture Innovation Grant, as well as Brian's work inside and outside of the classroom, some of his favorite FFA memories, and even a little bit about personality! Tune in every Monday for a new episode wherever you get your podcas...

Madison Frogue is a former Todd County Central FFA Member and the 2023 State Star in Agricultural Placement. Sheldon and Ruth Ann discuss her SAE, FFA Experience, and work opportunities that FFA provides. Madison discusses her further aspirations to one day reach the National FFA Convention stage to hopefully be the American Star in Placement. Madison is continuing her education at college and sta...

Conner Richardson is a former State FFA Officer and current agriculture teacher at Woodford County High School. On this episode, Sheldon and Ruth Ann discuss with Conner the importance of donating to Kentucky FFA, how to give monthly, and the impact these donations have on students like Conner's. Tune in every Monday for a new episode wherever you get your podcasts or on Youtube! ⁠Student Acti...

Toni Myers is an agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor at Locust Trace High School. Sheldon and Ruth Ann discuss AgEd, FFA, The Kentucky Castle and so much more on this week's episode. Toni brings a rich and unique history to the interview, graduating college at 19 and teaching at a unique High School centered around agriculture that services one of the largest counties in the state of Kentucky....

Jonathan Shell is Kentucky's newly elected Commissioner of Agriculture. Jonathan hails from Garrard County and owns a farm where he raises pumpkins, cattle, and other various products. Sheldon and Ruth Ann discuss the Ag Tag Program, what it was like for Jonathan when he was an FFA member, some of his favorite camp memories, and so much more. Tune in every Monday for a new episode wherever you...

Jonathan West is a Financial Officer at Farm Credit Mid-America in Campbellsville, a member of the Kentucky FFA Board of Trustees, and a farmer. He hails from Knox County, Kentucky where he was an FFA member in their chapter. On this episode, Jonathan discusses agriculture, careers in agriculture, farm finance, and FFA with Sheldon and Ruth Ann. Tune in every Monday for a new episode wherever you...

This week, Ruth Ann and Sheldon discuss a new opportunity from the Foundation for FFA members to use once they graduate High School. Listen in to hear about this great opportunity for both FFA members (Class of 2024) and employers! Tune in every Monday for a new episode wherever you get your podcasts or on Youtube! Student Activity Sheet LINK

Caroline Groth serves as the 2023-2024 Kentucky FFA State President. Hailing from Locust Trace High School in Fayette County, Kentucky, she has a rich background in FFA and Agriculture. Join us on this episode as Sheldon and Ruth Ann discuss some of Caroline's best memories and lessons she has learned over her time as an FFA member and State Officer. Tune in every Monday for a new episode wher...

Welcome to Growing Kentucky's Leaders, a podcast by the Kentucky FFA Foundation. We are so excited for you to join us for our first season as we showcase Kentucky FFA, Agricultural Education, and all the great things our over 20,000 FFA members are doing. Tune in every Monday for a new episode wherever you get your podcasts or on Youtube! ⁠Student Activity Sheet LINK⁠