Awards (2011)

The following were presented at the 2011 GOAP Conference in Bowling Green. Higher resolution photos are available on our Flickr site.

Outstanding Program Administrator

This award recognizes the outstanding work of one of the state's model program administrators. This award was selected based on communication with Agricultural Development Board staff, fulfilling reporting requirements, communication with individual applicants and general administration of the program(s).

Stacy Marksberry, Green River Area Beef Improvement Group

Stacy Marksberry has been an administrator for Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund Programs since 2004. She has administered programs for Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Muhlenberg, Ohio and Webster counties for the Green River Area Beef Improvement Group.
 
Ms. Marksberry lives on a cattle ranch with her husband, son, daughter and granddaughter. They have farms in Daviess and Ohio Counties where they operate a cow/calf operation and raise corn and hay to feed their cattle.
 
She enjoys farm life and helping the producers any way that she can.
 

Oustanding Cooperative Extension Agent

This award recognizes the outstanding work of an Extension Agent who has shown visible dedication to the Agricultural Development Fund process and has lead their local county council in making significant contributions towards the needs of their local agricultural Community.

Clint Hardy, Daviess County

Mr. Hardy is the Daviess County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources where he has worked the past nine years. He holds Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Western Kentucky University where he met his wife of eight years, Amanda, who is the Henderson County Extension Agent for Family Consumer Sciences.
 
Mr. Hardy is a member of the Kentucky Agricultural County Agent Association, Kentucky Soybean Association, and coordinator for the Daviess County Agricultural Development Council. He is a past president of the Daviess County Farm Bureau Young Farmers Group.
 
When Mr. Hardy isn't at work in Extension or with his family, he is working with his dad on their farms. He is a lifelong resident of Daviess County and fifth generation grain and tobacco producer. Mr. Hardy put's it pretty simple, he has dirt in his veins and appreciates the opportunity he has to promote and help increase agriculture prosperity in Daviess County.
 
Mr. Hardy and his wife have two small children: Colton 3, Madalyn 2.
 

Innovations in Agriculture

Two awards were given for agricultural entrepreneurs who have demonstrated forward thinking in their projects submitted to the Agricultural Development Board.

Marksbury Farm Market

Marksbury Farm Market opened in northern Garrard County in August 2010, filling a pressing need in Kentucky's fast-growing local food economy. As a local food hub, the 12,000 square-foot, USDA-inspected meat processing and distribution facility produces a wide variety of natural meat products from locally grown, humanely raised cattle, hogs and poultry, all free of growth hormones, steroids and antibiotics. The company is committed to maximizing the values of Kentucky's rich forage base and strong farm family traditions through production of the highest quality local, natural meats. The Marksbury processing facility and its nearby retail butcher shop produce traditional cuts of beef, pork and poultry, as well as a variety of value-added cured and cooked products.
 
It's Kentucky farm families producing the animals that truly set Marksbury Farm Market apart, according to founding partners Preston Correll, Greg Correll, Richard McAlister and John-Mark Hack. Marksbury currently works with several families from throughout the region, and is constantly looking to cultivate new relationships with farmers who share a commitment to the highest quality, locally produced meats. Marksbury Farm Market seeks to become a profitable marketing option for farm families looking to tap into the growing demand for local foods.
 

Kentucky Proud Program

The Commonwealth's official farm marketing program, Kentucky Proud helps Kentucky farmers stay on the farm, and it enables businesses to find new markets, generate additional income and create jobs.
 
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture has utilized Kentucky Agricultural Development funds to purchase prominent point-of-sale signage, provide incentives for restaurants to use Kentucky Proud products, create strategic partnerships, and boost farmers' markets.
 
Kentucky Proud generated well over $200 million in retail sales of Kentucky farm products just through member retailers in 2010. A University of Kentucky study released in November 2008 found that every dollar invested in Kentucky Proud generated up to $4.70 in new farm income. More than 2,000 producers, processors, retailers, restaurants, farmers' markets, Kentucky state parks and Kentucky Farm Bureau roadside markets are members of Kentucky Proud.
 
The Kentucky Proud Program and Kentucky Proud products have been featured prominently in numerous national and international events, including the Kentucky Derby, the Masters golf tournament, and the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
 

KAFC Distinguished Agriculture Entrepreneur

Two awards were given for agricultural entrepreneurs who have demonstrated forward thinking in their projects submitted to the Agricultural Finance Corporation.

Melissa Lipps, DVM (Shelby Co.)

Dr. Melissa Lipps grew up on a dairy farm in Grant County, KY that was started in 1947 by her grandfather. Today, her family still milks a herd of registered Brown Swiss cattle. It was her early childhood experiences on the farm that led to her desire to become a veterinarian. Melissa attended the University of Kentucky and graduated with a B.S. in Animal Science followed by Auburn University where she graduated with a DVM in 2004.
 
Upon graduation, Melissa and her husband Joe moved to Shelbyville, KY where she practices primarily large animal medicine. In 2006, they purchased part of Shelby Veterinary Clinic and in 2009 purchased the remaining portion. The practice has a total of three mixed animal veterinarians that service Shelby and surrounding counties. Since moving to Shelby County, Melissa has been actively involved in the Shelby County Cattlemen's Association, serving as a director for three years and then president in 2010. She also serves as a director for Shelby County Farm Bureau, Secretary/Treasurer of the KY Brown Swiss Association, and board member of the Shelby County Agriculture Development Board.
 

KAFC Distinguished Agriculture Lender

This award recognizes the outstanding work of a participating agriculture lender who has shown visible dedication to providing access to capital for farmers by providing KAFC's loan programs as a way to meet the needs of their local agricultural Community.

Mike Mullican, Daviess County

Mike Mullican is currently an Agricultural Lending Officer for Independence Bank in Henderson for just over five years. Prior to working for the bank, he was with Large Scale Biology in Owensboro and Miles Enterprises. Mr. Mullican graduated from the University of Kentucky with an Agricultural Engineering degree.
 
He is secretary of the Daviess County Extension Council, a member of the Owensboro Catholic Schools Education Council, the Owensboro Catholic Schools Finance Committee, and an alumnus of the Phillip Morris/UK Ag Leadership Program.
 
Mr. Mullican currently lives in Stanley, KY in Daviess County with his wife, Heather, and his two kids, Nolan, age 13, and Mary Beth, age 11.
 

Excellence in Energy

This award recognizes organizations and individuals who have demonstrated forward thinking in the area of renewable energy, as it relates to agriculture.

University of Kentucky Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

Through a tri-part mission (research, education and extension) of a land grant university, UK's biosystems engineers seek to develop sustainable systems for the production and processing of food, fiber and renewable energy products, and to minimize or mitigate the impact of these systems on our environment.
 
UK Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering personnel have been instrumental in helping Kentucky farmers become more energy efficient by conducting energy audits and assessments, assisting with technical recommendations and providing guidance with grant opportunities. Their staff provided leadership with the Poultry House Evaluation Service, consultation on the Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy energy grant programs and guidance on additional energy related projects.
 

Tim Hughes, Energy & Environment Cabinet

Tim Hughes is currently the Director for the Division of Biofuels for the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. Previously he served as the Senior Policy Analyst of the Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy where he also held various other roles since 2004. Tim and his wife Lori own TLC Farms in Simpson County.
 
Mr. Hughes has been an active agricultural leader in both Logan and Simpson Counties. He is a graduate of Western Kentucky University where he also served as their farm manager in 2002 and 2003. Tim has served as the state chairman of two young farmer groups and has played leadership roles in various national farm organizations. He was recognized (a few years ago) by the Daily News as "one of 20 people under 40" who was making a difference in their communities. Tim and Lori now reside in Frankfort, KY where they are active members of Buck Run Baptist Church.