Nick Woodruff is a farmer at Seven Springs Farms, and his career profile is unique as he didn’t grow up with agriculture.
Bryce Daunhauer has been the co-owner of Daunhauer Greenhouse and Garden Center for 16 years after graduating from the University of Kentucky with a degree in plant/soil science.
Finding a place to belong was tough for Jahqethea Johnson as a student. But a chance meeting with the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) team provided her the clarity of sight toward a field of study and career.
In agriculture, family means the world. Nowhere is that more evident than with Sharon Denney and Natalie Gupton, a mother-daughter duo that rocks the agricultural community. Natalie is the COO and VP of AgSafe, while her mother, Sharon, served with the USDA Farm Service Agency for 36 years!
Lindsay’s primary responsibilities include working with customers looking for lending on rural and farm-based homes, a job where building personal relationships is critical. In fact, she says that is the best part about her job.
Amanda is a sixth-generation registered Angus cattle farmer from Russell Springs and was an active FFA member, holding chapter and regional officer titles. Her initial career plans were to become an agriculture teacher. She studied agriculture education at Western Kentucky University and went on to earn her Master’s in gifted education.
For anyone interested in beekeeping, Potter said she recommends going to several different beekeeping associations for a full year to learn the seasonality before purchasing any equipment. Potter said the associations are a good place for anyone to start because dues are often inexpensive, and you get to meet new people, learn the language, see the diversity of equipment, and pick a style of hive that is comfortable for you to start with.
We interviewed Division Director Sharon Spencer of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture about how she began her life and career in agriculture. From humble beginnings in Frankfort County to her promotion as Director of the Direct Farm Marketing Division in 2017. Throughout her years of experience, she imparts some wisdom to all those looking to make their own impact and help move the agricultural industry forward.
“My favorite part of the job is interacting with the customers,” said TJ. “Farmers are easy to talk to. But I do enjoy this job, providing preventative service plans, more than fixing things. The farmers are typically in a better mood if something’s not broken.”
