‘A family man’: UK alum dedicates a lifetime to agriculture and community

GEORGETOWN, Ky. (Dec. 3, 2024) — A native of Scott County, Kentucky, Robert “Bob” Hall Jr. has been described as a man of many hats — a farmer, livestock producer, master grazer, business owner, community leader, mentor, veteran and gentleman, to name a few.

Since graduating from the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) in 1953, Hall has accumulated significant personal and professional achievements. However, the biggest achievement has been his commitment to his family who have continued to inspire him for the past seven decades.

“We’ve always been a close family and always had a job to do,” Hall said. “I consider myself lucky.”

Known affectionately as “Mr. Bob” to many, family means something more for Hall — it’s the family farm, his family-owned business, the community that he loves and spending time with his own family.

Family farm

Born in 1930 in Georgetown, Kentucky, Hall represents six generations of farmers. He grew up raising cattle, harvesting grain and tending to other important responsibilities. Their sacred family land has produced tobacco, rye, wheat, corn, hogs, sheep, hay and continues today as a feeder cattle operation.

In 1975, Hall registered a symbol “the flying H” that graces parts of the property, including the outside of the family home.

“The flying H is part of us,” Hall said. “Everybody knows it stands for Hall cattle or Hall products. We’re proud of it.”

Today, the farm is more than just a symbol of past generations, it’s been the catalyst for the local family business and sowing a future for the next generation. 

Family-owned business 

In 1964 Hall and his wife, the late Bonnie Hall, purchased a livestock feed mill called Farmers Feed Mill in Lexington where the family-owned brand Hallway Feeds was eventually established in 1983. 

Hall, president of Hallway Feeds, his children, Lee and Julia Hall, along with a talented staff, work together to run the daily operations — supplying Thoroughbred farms with quality, custom-manufactured feeds all over the country. For Lee and Julia Hall, both UK alums, their parents and the generations before them instill a sense of pride for the family business. 

“There’s no doubt that we are standing on the shoulders of our parents and their parents, and so on,” said Julia Hall, vice president of first impressions at Hallway Feeds. “Our family has been in the agricultural industry for generations. We are walking on hallowed ground and doing our best to honor them — never forgetting the values, principles and tenets that have been set before us by many generations.”

“The family piece is all about the culture of our business,” said Lee Hall, vice president at Hallway Feeds. “We are close to everyone, including our employees, customers and vendors — creating a family atmosphere of love and trust.”

Growing up in a modest home, Lee and Julia inherited many positive characteristics from their parents that helped build their family culture at Hallway Feeds.

“Dad was managing the family farm, the mill and caring for his own mother. He was a real example of true dedication to everyone,” said Julia Hall. “He always took care of his customers, even on holidays. He is an ‘all-in guy’ and passionate with every fiber of his being. He continues to inspire people every day in the ways he lives and leads his life.”

Furthermore, Julia Hall saw the farm’s many marvels “through the good times and the bad” — offering a deeper appreciation and understanding for agriculture.

“We had the opportunity to be with our parents who dearly loved each other, to be a part of the family business and to have a love of the family farm, witnessing Earth’s miracles on a seasonal basis. Through these experiences, we gained more wisdom that helps guide us today,” added Julia Hall.

For Lee Hall, he is grateful to have learned and worked with his dad.

“It’s a blessing to work with your father, having that person as a mentor and the opportunity to work with your best friend,” said Lee Hall. “He’s cared for so many families, whether they be employees or customers—creating all this goodness around them.”

Community family

Bob Hall has mentored and employed countless individuals throughout his life.

An example includes Hall’s church sponsoring a refugee family from Bosnia — hiring the father of the family to work at the feed mill. Today, that father is still employed at Hallway Feeds and will soon celebrate 29 years of employment.

“He likes seeing other people accomplish something significant in their life — that’s what really brings him joy,” Lee Hall said. “He’s man of utmost integrity and would always bend over backwards for people. This is an important piece of who he is.”

Hall continues to be active in his church along with other community organizations including Heifer Project International, Habitat for Humanity and God’s Pantry Food Bank.

“He is humble and generous in many ways that we know about, and in many ways that we don’t know,” said Julia Hall. “His circle of friends has no limits. People adore him.”

Hall family

The Halls learned from their dad that their family name is a dedication to integrity, quality and treating everyone like family.

“It’s about quality feed, quality service, quality people, quality in everything that you do in life,” Julia Hall said. “If your name is going to be on it, then it’s got to be the very best. Your work in life is your mark, so be proud of it.”

According to Lee and Julia Hall, their dad gets up every day with goals prepared but spending time with family is what he values most.

“That’s the most important thing for him is that family interaction. It’s what keeps him rolling,” said Lee Hall. “I can’t tell you how thankful I am that my sons know their grandfather. He’s truly a family man.”

Hall’s home

Originally purchased by his grandfather in 1868, Hall still resides and works on the family farm in Georgetown.

“This is my home, my life, and I always have something to do. This is my sandbox — it’s a very dull life if you are not enjoying what you’re doing.” Hall said. “Agriculture is big business in Kentucky, and we all depend on it. It’s the foundation for our livelihood and is important to the world.”

Biography

Bob Hall was a first-generation student at UK, where he participated on the livestock and meats judging team and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture in 1953.

After graduation, Hall served in the U.S. Army as a food inspector. He went on to hold beef cattle herdsman positions in the Northeast and at UK, where he built and managed the beef herd into one of the premier herds in higher education. 

Hall was a leader in relocating the North American International Livestock Exposition from Chicago to Louisville and continued to serve as a director for the exposition for a number of years. He also served 38 years as chairman of the sheep advisory committee with the expo. He is past director of the Kentucky Feed and Grain Association, past president of the National Suffolk Sheep Association and has served on numerous boards.

He is a member of the United Suffolk Sheep Association Hall of Fame, a recipient of the Farm Bureau Distinguished Service to Agriculture in Fayette County Award, Harold Workman Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, the UK Scovell Society and is a UK Fellow.

Hall was the first inductee into the UK Department of Animal Sciences Hall of Fame and was also inducted into the UK Martin-Gatton CAFE Distinguished Alumni. He was inducted into the Saddle and Sirloin Club in 2019, considered to be the most prestigious award in the agricultural industry.

In 2014, he was sponsor for the first Honor Flight from the Bluegrass Airport to Washington, D.C., for Central and Eastern Kentucky World War II, Korean and Vietnam veterans to visit the memorials dedicated to their service.

In the Fall of 2025, Hall will be officially inducted and honored at the UK Alumni Association Hall of Distinguished Alumni ceremony. Learn more at ukalumni.net/s/hall-of-distinguished-alumni.