Laurie Mays has served as the Senior Workforce Development Project Manager (WFDPM) at the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Foundation for six years.
Connie Sizemore serves farmers in Leslie County by managing the Conservation District office, but her passion lies with teaching the youngest citizens about the environment.
“Try different areas of agriculture; there are so many to choose from. If you are given the opportunity to get an internship or apprenticeship, take it and see if that is the right path for you.”
“Start young!!! Work with the older generations to learn the ways of farming and conservation, and get involved with FFA and Agriculture when you are in school. The world is changing fast, and if we don't get kids involved when they are young, we may not have a world good enough for the future to live in.”
“There are many different fields that have an Agriculture background. Search all the different choices before making a final decision.”
“Get your hands dirty as early in life as you can. Help raise a garden, get involved in your FFA Chapter, get a summer job helping a local farmer or farmer's market, and get to know your local Conservation District.”
My advice for a career of any kind . . . find what you love and throw yourself into it with all your passion. I have always told students and interns that no matter what field they choose, there are always excellent jobs for smart and passionate people.
Sheldon McKinney is the Executive Director of the Kentucky FFA Foundation and has held the position for the past eleven years. She says working in Kentucky agriculture has been her dream job and that she found her place after she became a member of her local FFA chapter.
Laura Knoth is the Executive Director for the Kentucky Corn Growers and the Kentucky Small Grain Growers and has held this position since 2010. Prior to that, Laura served as Public Affairs and Program Director at the Kentucky Farm Bureau from 1991-2010.
Adam has been KyCorn’s program director for 11 years, where he manages the association’s membership, market development, and farmer leadership programs. He also organizes and mobilizes KyCorn’s grassroots base, which means he encourages farmer members to get involved in policy issues and public affairs.
Few people share the extreme passion and openness that Nikki Whitaker has displayed in her time with the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association. Going on 18 years with KCA, For 17 years, Nikki served as the Membership Coordinator, where she oversaw all aspects of membership services, including being a liaison between the state office and 99 county chapter affiliates.
Nancy Cox is the Vice President for Land-Grant Engagement and Dean of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment. Nancy started her career in agriculture 22 years ago and has previously been the Associate Dean for Research and the Agricultural Experiment Station.
Terry Paschall grew up on a small family farm in Murray, Kentucky, where they grew tobacco, soybeans, and corn. His plan growing up was to continue farming for his entire life, as there was no substitute for being able to work daily with parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents and learning the lessons of life.
