Kentucky Ag Careers
View our new website dedicated to careers in agriculture. The career profiles below can be found there as well.
The following career profiles feature people working in Kentucky or who graduated from a Kentucky agricultural college or university. Some may have changed positions or companies since the article was posted.
Agronomy (Crop Science)
Tyler Phillips - Crop Consultant, Crop Production Services CPS
Dr. Carrie Knott - Extension Agronomist, University of Kentucky
Dr. Carl Bradley - Plant Pathologist, University of Kentucky
Animal Agriculture
Nikki Whitaker - Director of Operations and Policy, Ky Cattlemen’s Assn
Sheila Phillips - Veterinarian, Green Pasture Veterinary Services
Jamie Guffey - Executive Director, Kentucky Poultry Federation
Dr. Debbie Reed - Director of Breathitt Veterinary Center, Murray State University
Jessi Stewart - Layer Field Service Representative, Egg Innovations
Terry Paschall - Vice President for Mid-Central Region, Darling Ingredients
Niki Ellis - Executive Director, Kentucky Pork Producers Association
Jared Shelton - Live Poultry Production Manager, Perdue Farms
Beka Vaile - Zookeeper, Louisville Zoo
Biotechnology & Engineering
Rebecca Caldbeck - Asset Technology Intern, Royal DSM
Layne Ellen Harris - Nutrigenomics Research Fellow, Alltech
Christina Tucker - Digital Agriculture Engineer and Instructor, University of Illinois UC
Business, Economics & Marketing
David Knopf - Agricultural Statistician and Regional Director, National Agriculture Statistics Service (USDA)
Alex Campbell - Farm and Finance Manager, Long Vue Farms
Chelsea Smither - Project Manager, Kentucky Office of Ag Policy
Boyd Brooks - Futures Grain Broker
Kimberly McDaniel - Agricultural Statistician, National Agriculture Statistics Service (USDA)
Elizabeth Riley - International Trade Specialist, USDA
Jahqethea Johnson - Northern Plains Region Agricultural Statistician at the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service
Sharon Spencer - Division Director, KDA
Rae Wagoner - Communications Director, Kentucky Soybean
Creative Arts
Jennifer Elwell - Strategic Communications, Education and Organizational Management, Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom
Josh Micham - Artist and Ag Educator
Alexis Smith - Social Media and Graphics Coordinator, Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Emily Goins - Agricultural photographer
Matt Hilton - Videographer and Studio Director, Kentucky Farm Bureau
Education & Extension
Ashley Osborne - Extension Youth Specialist, Kentucky 4-H
Bradon Burks - Director of Education, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association
Dr. Nancy Cox - Dean of UK College of Agriculture, Food, & Environment. VP of Land-grant Engagement, University of Kentucky
Dr. Quentin Tyler - Higher Education Administration, Michigan State University (University of Kentucky alumni and former UKCAFE Administrator)
Carol Mackey Hinton - Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent, Breckinridge County Cooperative Extension Service
Becky Kinder - Commodity Education Director for Kentucky Soybean Association
Lindie Huffman - Ag and Natural Resources Extension Agent, Pendleton County Cooperative Extension Service
Jennifer Elwell - Strategic Communications, Education and Organizational Management, Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom
Dr. Antomia “Mia” Farrel - Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, University of Kentucky
Dr. Kristie Guffey - Associate Professor/Graduate Coordinator, Murray State University
Entomology
Dr. Tammy Potter - State Apiarist, Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Equine
Sarah Coleman, Executive Director/Writer, Kentucky Horse Council
Steve Koch - Senior management of Florida Thoroughbred Owners and Racing Association and Florida Equine Communications, University of Kentucky graduate
Carrie Gilbert - Racing, Sales, and Stallion Coordinator, Flaxman Holdings
Erin O’Keefe - Customer Relations Manager, Millennium Farms
Farming
Ryan Bivens - First Generation Farmer, Fresh Start Farms
Jorge Osbaldo Mejia Ledesma - Farm worker
Taylor and Zac Jones - Produce farmers
Mandy Bryant - Owner, Long Vue Farms
Alana Baker Dunn - Partner, River Bend Farms
Alice Baesler - Owner, Cannatrait
Financial Services
Alex Campbell - Assistant Farm/Finance Manager, Long Vue Farms
Amanda Robertson - Beginning Farmer Regional Coordinator, Farm Service Agency
Lindsay Phillips - Financial Services Officer, Farm Credit Mid-America
Food Science, Processing, and Merchandising
Joe Hildesheim - Retail meat and seafood merchandiser, Kroger
David Hayden - Food Equipment Sales Specialist
Tina Coil - President of Food Safety Systems
Forestry & Environment
Sean Godbold - Forester, Kentucky Division of Forestry
Crystal Renfro, Executive Director, Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts
Health
Machinery
TJ Conrad - Farm equipment product support and sales, Whayne Supply (now Boyd CAT)
Organizational Administration
Crystal Renfro, Executive Director, Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts
Dr. Nancy Cox - Dean of UK College of Agriculture, Food, & Environment. VP of Land-grant Engagement, University of Kentucky
Jamie Guffey - Executive Director, Kentucky Poultry Federation
Nikki Whitaker - Director of Operations/Policy, KCA
Niki Ellis - Executive Director, Kentucky Pork Producers Association
Ramel Bradley - Community Director for AppHarvest
Scott Christmas - Director of Women’s Programs, Agriculture Education, and Member Benefits, Kentucky Farm Bureau
Jennifer Elwell - Strategic Communications, Education and Organizational Management, Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom
Adam Andrews - Association Programs Director, Kentucky Corn Growers Association
Sarah Coleman - Executive Director, Kentucky Horse Council
Laura Knoth - Executive Director, Kentucky Corn Growers/Small Grain Growers Association
Sheldon Mckinney - Executive Director, Kentucky FFA Foundation
Policy & Law
Kyle Kelley Job Title: Director of Government Affairs and Association Services (Agribusiness Association of Kentucky, currently works for Kentucky Farm Bureau)
Regulatory
Dr. Tammy Potter - State Apiarist, Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Carrie Pendleton - Grain Inspector, Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Natalie Gupton & Sharon Denney, AgSafe/USDA
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