LEXINGTON, Ky. – Each year, Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) recognizes an individual whose efforts not only strengthen the state’s agriculture industry, but also show service and leadership both on and off the farm. This year, three individuals did just that.

This year’s finalists are Jed Clark, of Graves County, Tom Folz, of Christian County, and Brenda Paul, of Bourbon County. According to KFB, all three finalists are fitting examples of the thousands of Kentucky farm families across the state who are committed to the agriculture industry, efficient in their farm practices, sound in their fiscal management and leaders in their communities.

Jed Clark has been farming in Mayfield since he graduated from high school in 1998. He raises corn, soybeans, wheat and tobacco across nearly 3,000 acres in western Kentucky. He also owns Seed Smart LLC., a seed and crop protectant dealership.

Like all farmers, Clark has faced challenges. In 2021, following the devastating tornadoes that tore through the Mayfield community, Mayfield Grain, the number on purchaser of grain in the area, was destroyed. Due to the closure of that business, the distance Clark’s grain had to travel became longer and waits at the river ports became common. Nevertheless, Clark and his family persevered, diversified and continued to farm.

“Being a successful farmer goes beyond working 14-hour days and producing a high yield crop,” said Clark, who currently serves as the secretary of the Kentucky Soybean Association. “It is supporting the younger generation of farmers, taking time to educate consumers, and dedicating your time to ensure the future of agriculture. I’m always honored to get to share our farming story.”

Jed and his wife, Chrissy, have three children they are raising on the farm.

Tom Folz and his family raise corn, soybeans, wheat and tobacco plants on more than 4,500 acres in western Kentucky near Herndon. In addition to farming, he runs a Beck’s Hybrids dealership which is an integral part of his business.

“Farming is in my family’s blood and we could not imagine doing anything else,” Folz said. “To plant our crops and watch God take care of them as they grow is so satisfying. I’m blessed to see my children have interest in the farm, and want to follow in my footsteps, which is such a blessing.”

Brenda Paul and her family raise cattle, alfalfa, hay, sorghum and soybeans on her nearly 6,000-acre farm. She is a graduate of Purdue University and she and her husband have been farming their land in Bourbon County the past 30 years.

Paul has been adopting more on-farm technology such as ultrasound equipment, precision pasture seeding and spraying, utilizing tractor guidance and section control. All cattle have an electronic identification tag in their ear for improved record keeping, health, and weight history. Individual weights are recorded each time an animal moves through the chute to better track growth throughout the year. With ever-changing technological advances, Paul is always looking to improve her ability to make decisions using data analysis.

“As a first-generation farm operation, I hope my agricultural experiences offer encouragement to younger farmers building their own farm businesses,” Paul said. “I enjoy sharing my farming story with consumers and speak from the perspective of both a beef producer and a mother.”

The KFB Farmer of the Year will be awarded the honor during the organization’s 104th annual meeting at the Galt House in Louisville in December.

State finalists received $250 courtesy Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation. The state winner will receive $1,000 and will represent Kentucky in the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year contest. That winner will receive $2,500.

Daviess County farmer Cole Hamilton was named the Kentucky Young Farmer Association’s Member of the Year at the 65th annual convention held earlier this year in Louisville.