Council & Member News
June Meeting Meeting RecapThank you for attending our Spring Members' Meeting on June 11 at the Kentucky FFA State Convention in Lexington. We met the new Kentucky FSA Executive Director David Wayne and he shared the status of several programs. Farmers.gov is still the dashboard for USDA farmer assistance programs.
Members are also shared several program updates and Strategic Roadmap leads shared the tactics that are continuing to be completed. Be sure to visit our Roadmap page for additional information. KAC welcomed it's newest Advisory Board members, as appointed by Chair Tod Griffin. These directors are strategic leads who are not already on the board of directors:
It was also announced that KAC is seeking a new executive secretary. Jennifer Elwell has served in that role for three years and is ready to pass the torch so she may spend more of her personal time with her new horse. The job announcement is below, and directors hope to have someone in place by August 1. KAC also has a new operating address. Many thanks to Sarah Coleman and the Kentucky Horse Council for offering the business home: 4037 Iron Works Parkway Ste. 120 | Meeting Calendar
Member News
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KAC News
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People on the Move & Open Positions
Kentucky Agricultural Council Seeks Part Time Executive Secretary
The Kentucky Agricultural Council is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented part-time executive secretary to support our association’s operations and enhance member engagement. This role offers an opportunity to develop or refine association management skills while making meaningful professional connections within Kentucky’s agricultural sector.
The KDDC Board of Directors are seeking qualified candidates for the Central Region Dairy Consultant, Western Region Dairy Consultant, and Program Coordinator positions.
Find more information at www.kydairy.org/openpositions. These positions will remain open until filled and interviews will be ongoing while the positions are posted. Questions about these positions can be directed to KDDC President Freeman Brundige at 731-446-6248 or Executive Director Tori Embry at 859-516-1129.
Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp had hired Jacob Ball as their new executive director. Ball has most recently been an award-winning agriculture teacher at Carter G. Woodson Academy in Lexington. He said his passion for agriculture began years before his teaching career, growing up on his family’s small farm in Culvertown, Kentucky. Ball is a National Board Certified Teacher. He earned a Bachelor of Science in agricultural education (2011) and an education specialist degree in administration (2018) from the University of Kentucky; and a Master of Arts in education from the University of the Cumberland.
Please welcome Cassidy Hutchison to the Kentucky FFA Foundation team as their new Program Manager! A proud Union County native and Murray State grad, Cassidy brings FFA experience, strong communication skills, and an innovative spirit to the role. She’ll be leading Kentucky Teach Ag, Kentucky FFA Works, and our grant writing efforts. Learn more about Cassidy and her background in the Good News newsletter https://conta.cc/45EnvXQ
Find more job and professional development opportunities on the Kentucky Agriculture Works Facebook page. Members may post job openings at www.kyagworks.org.
Member News
Community Farm Alliance provided an update on their Double Dollars Program. They are starting a program with KFB Certified Roadside Markets and have a new Senior Health Pilot program. Laurie White reported that Double Dollars has had $4.9 million in economic impact and increased farm sales by 14%.
They also have a disaster relief program for farmers recently affected by the storms, are facilitating a Farm to Summer Meals Week (June 15-21) through their Farm to School Network, and have been actively engaged in several Strategic Roadmap working groups. Thank your CFA!
The Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program Class 14 is in its homestretch, and they will start the application process this fall for Class 15. 2025 is their 40th anniversary; an event is being planned for August 16. Stay tuned!
The University of Kentucky is hosting an Agribusiness and Signature Industries Career Fair on September 25 in the Gatton Student Center Ballroom. This year’s event will now include opportunities in Agribusiness, Distillation, and Equine—industries that are vital to Kentucky’s economy and rich in career potential. Employer registration opens July 1, 2025. Visit https://students.ca.uky.edu/kentucky-signature-industries-career-fair for details and updates. They would love to have your organization join them to connect with top talent and showcase your opportunities. Contact Aslihan Spaulding for more information.
Be sure to visit the 121st Kentucky State Fair! Opening day is August 14. Several events are planned including our next KAC meeting, the Commodity Breakfast, and the Kentucky 4-H Foundation Ice Cream Social.
AgSafe, Kentucky Women in Agriculture and Farm Credit are teaming up for a Women's Leadership Summit. Stay tuned!
Former Commissioner of Agriculture Billy Ray Smith encourages everyone to renew your Ag Tag with vehicle registration. A new tag for passenger vehicles is in the works, where proceeds will be split between 4-H, FFA, and Kentucky Proud.
If you have additional news items, please send them to kyagcouncil@gmail.com.