Growing Kentucky's Leaders: A Podcast by the Kentucky FFA Foundation

Growing Kentucky's Leaders: The Blue Bridge Boys

In this special episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Sheldon and Ruth Ann sit down with the very talented members of the Blue Bridge Boys. A homegrown bluegrass band fr

Growing Kentucky's Leaders: Cyrus Bivens

This week on Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Sheldon and Ruth Ann sit down with Mr. Cyrus Bivens. Cyrus was selected as the 2026 KY FFA State Star in Ag Placement. At the ver

Ambassador Kelly Craft

In this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Sheldon and Ruth and sit down with former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Kelly Craft. Craft is a "lifelong

Caroline Peterson Meehan, Kentucky FFA Foundation Board Member

In this episode of Growing Kentucky’s Leaders, Sheldon and Ruth Ann sit down with Kentucky FFA Foundation Board member, Caroline Peterson Meehan. We get to hear about Car

Garett Zimmerman & Haylee Tucker - KY FFA State Officers

2026-2027 Kentucky FFA State President Garett Zimmerman and State Reporter, Haylee Tucker share insights on leadership & their experience as Kentucky FFA State Officers.

100 for 100 - Forever Blue Endowments & Summer Recap

During this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, hosts Sheldon McKinney and Ruth Ann Fink discuss the brand new "100 for 100" plan leading up to Kentucky FFA's centenni

Adrienne Correll, The River Foundation and First Southern National Bank

On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Sheldon and Ruth Ann are joined by Adrienne Correll, Executive Director of the River Foundation and board member of First S

Dr. Scott Wright, Kentucky FFA Alum

On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Sheldon and Ruth Ann speak with Dr. Scott Wright, a world-renowned cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic and a former Kentucky FF

Claire West, Farm Credit Mid-America

On this episode of Growing Kentucky’s Leaders, Sheldon and Ruth Ann are joined by Claire West, Customer Education Manager at Farm Credit Mid-America. A former high school

Melissa Miller, Kentucky 4-H Foundation

On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Sheldon and Ruth Ann welcome Melissa Miller, the Executive Director of the Kentucky 4-H Foundation. Together, they discuss

Spencer Guinn and Hunter Anne Mattingly, Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development

On this episode of Growing Kentucky’s Leaders, Sheldon and Ruth Ann are joined by Spencer Guinn and Hunter Anne Mattingly of the Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural

Josh Mitcham, Carol Martin Gatton FFA Leadership Training Center Director

On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, we hear from Josh Mitcham, Director of the Carol Martin Gatton FFA Leadership Training Center. Josh explains why this histo

Jacee McKeel and Tyren Harris, Kentucky FFA State Officers

On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Sheldon and Ruth Ann welcome back two familiar faces: State FFA Secretary Jacee McKeel and State Treasurer Tyren Harris. W

Annagrace Sholar and Sara Thakur, Madisonville North Hopkins FFA

On this episode of Growing Kentucky’s Leaders, Sheldon and Ruth Ann are joined by Annagrace Sholar and Sara Thakur from Madisonville North Hopkins High School. Tune in to

Coty Back, Kentucky FFA State Convention Keynote Speaker

On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Sheldon and Ruth Ann welcome back a familiar face to the Kentucky FFA community, Coty Back. Ahead of his upcoming keynote

Dr. Thomas Kingery, WKU Agriculture Education

On this episode of Growing Kentucky’s Leaders, Sheldon, Ruth Ann and Cassidy sit down with Dr. Thomas Kingery to discuss the world of agriculture education. The Kentucky

Patrick Grady, FFA Camp Keynote Speaker

On this episode of Growing Kentucky’s Leaders, Sheldon and Ruth Ann sit down with Patrick T. Grady, a veteran entertainer, humorist and the keynote speaker at this summer

Taylor County FFA, Outstanding Ag Ed Program

This episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders features the four agriculture teachers from Taylor County High School and Taylor County Middle School, whose program was recent

Darleen Santore "Coach Dar" and Dwight Sears on Pay It Forward Day

On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Sheldon and Ruth Ann are joined by author and leadership coach Darleen "Coach Dar" Santore and Kentucky FFA Foundation boar

Dexter Knight, Ag Teachers Change Lives Award Winner

On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Sheldon and Ruth Ann sit down with Mr. Dexter Knight, a recipient of the 2026 Agriculture Teachers Change Lives award. Dext