Author: Timothy Estes
Planning Unit: Hart County CES
Major Program: Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
Plan of Work: Increasing Agriculture Awareness and Profitability
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
Part of being an Extension agent that is often overlooked is recognizing natural born leaders in your county and getting them involved in the industry promoting agriculture. Recently, the Hart County Ag agent recognized the potential in a young producer in the fall of 2023 and encouraged him to participate in a speech contest promoting forages. After a long break from the days of public speaking in his high school FFA chapter, a young Hart County Beef and Forage producer decided to compete in the KY Forage and Grassland Council’s Forage Spokesperson contest and was named the winner. What started out to be a presentation highlighting the work they were doing with forages on their beef cattle and hay operation has now led to a chance to compete nationally. In addition to a national competition, he has since been asked to be a speaker at another nationally known forage event. He has stepped up into a role that has historically been held by his father such as promoting their operation and being an advocate for agriculture. Every county has numerous producers that are doing tremendous work with little to no attention. It is our duty to recognize that greatness and encourage them to tell their story and show those on the outside of the Ag industry what Agriculture is truly about.
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