EASTWOOD, Ky. – As the fifth generation to be raised on her family’s farm, Camyrn Manion brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new position as communications director for the Kentucky Corn Growers Association and Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association.

“I grew up on a farm in western Kentucky, which completely shaped my sense of self, my work ethic, and my appreciation for the natural world,” she said. “I did FFA in high school and went on to be the first woman in my family to receive the FFA American Degree. My grandfather, father, and brother have all received their FFA American Degree as well.

“Farmers are incredibly industrious and resourceful, and being raised by two great parents who pushed me to be my best self, led to running multiple of my own businesses before the age of 16; from dog breeding to selling sweet corn at farmers markets,” she said. “Farming truly is a lifestyle, and even if I’m not working directly on the farm anymore, I’m proud to strive each and every day for the humility and work ethic that my farming family raised me to embody.”

Manion succeeds Kate McIndoo Pride, the previous communications director, who has joined her family’s third-generation farming operation full-time, farming with her father on Windimere Farms: “I traded occasional buddy seat rides for long days, a completely different career, and a much deeper respect for the work that’s been done before me,” Pride said.

Currently, Manion’s parents and brother operate their family farm, growing corn, wheat, and soybeans, along with raising cattle, and running a small peach orchard.

She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in agricultural communications and public relations, and Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Murray State University’s Hutson School of Agriculture, focusing her undergraduate research on language barriers in agriculture.

“After flailing a bit for the right major my first year of college, I finally discovered the agricultural communications track at my university,” she said. “It fit like a glove. I’ve always loved to read, which made me love to write. I used to take a book into every restaurant we went to and read right at the table, while the grown-ups talked.”

In addition, she brings relevant experience to the new role from her time in the communications department at Kentucky Farm Bureau and her work at an advertising agency in Nashville, Tenn. She most recently served as an account manager at a landscape design firm, also in Nashville.

She said agricultural communications allowed her to combine her love for writing, creativity, photography and digital strategy with her passion for the agriculture industry.

“The natural beauty on the farm growing up, living close to the land, day in and day out, sunrise to sunset, planting to harvest, made me fall in love with photography, which has been a huge plus as well in my career,” she said. “Agricultural communications was the best way for me to use my skills and strengths in service to the agriculture industry.”

In her new role, she will now lead the strategic communications and public relations efforts for the two organizations. “It’s a pleasure to be joining such a great team, working for the industry I know and love, and I look forward to supporting Kentucky agriculture in new and exciting ways with this role,” she said.

“My hope is to carry the message of the every-day farmer far and wide,” she added. “There are so many wonderful farmers in Kentucky who have incredible stories of resilience, personal sacrifice and grit that deserve to be shared. My only job is to amplify their voices, tell their stories, and to share the message of agriculture. I’m proud to be a part of an organization that prioritizes farmers, and their needs to keep their businesses running and our nation fed.”

She said she’s excited to be back in her home state of Kentucky and back in agriculture. “Farmers work incredibly hard and certainly face a lot of challenges, so I take my role very seriously in doing my small part to aid the industry.”

She added, “I would say that no matter what season of life or career you’re in, just keep chipping away at the thing that you’re most passionate about. As long as you keep working toward your goals, bit by bit, you will eventually get to the place you’re wanting to go. Be ready to travel, be ready to work out in the elements, don’t be afraid to get your boots muddy, and of course, don’t be a stranger.”