Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program announces Class 15

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 23, 2026) — The Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program (KALP), which recently celebrated 40 years of growing leaders in the Commonwealth, has chosen 22 new candidates to represent its 15th class.

Housed at the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE), the program provides farmers and business professionals working in agriculture-related fields with an intensive leadership development experience. KALP’s mission is to identify, develop and motivate Kentuckians for effective leadership in agriculture and rural communities.

"We are very excited to announce the next KALP class,” said Will Snell, Ph.D., KALP co-director and UK agricultural economist. “This is a group of highly motivated and talented individuals who will continue to shape the future direction of Kentucky agriculture and our food system and address challenging issues in our rural communities.”

The curriculum advances leadership competencies including communication, delegation, conflict management, civil discourse and ethical decision-making. Participants will also discuss current issues and developments impacting rural communities and agriculture in Kentucky.

Over the next two years, the KALP class members will meet with local leaders, Kentucky agribusinesses, policymakers and government agencies in Frankfort and Washington, D.C. Additionally, the class will travel to other states and countries to further explore agriculture locally and internationally.

KALP Class 15 members include:

• Kelly Baird, Taylorsville — Spencer County, director of communications and events at Kentucky Cattleman’s Association

• Jacob Ball, Lexington — Fayette County, executive director at Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp.

• George Bittel, Owensboro – Daviess County, grain origination merchant at Cargill, Inc. Producer of corn, soybeans, alfalfa, beef cattle, farrow to finish swine and wheat

• Caleb Brannon, Murray — Calloway County, training lead at Syngenta Digital. Producer of corn, soybeans and wheat

• Kiah Twisselman Burchett, Louisville — Jefferson County, speaker at Coach Kiah LLC

• Curtis Coombs, Smithfield — Henry County, ice cream maker and owner at Jericho Farmhouse. Producer of beef cattle, corn and alfalfa

• Jacob Fleming, Franklin — Simpson County, research associate at Wheat Tech Inc. Producer of row crops and beef cattle at Fleming Farms

• Brandon Gilles, Owensboro — Daviess County, regional vice president, insurance at Farm Credit Mid-America

• Reed Graham, Campton — Wolfe County, ANR agent at Breathitt County Extension Office, UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Producer of beef cattle, hay and firewood at Holly Creek Farms.  

• Patrick Hargadon, Waddy — Shelby County, auctioneer and realtor at H Barry Smith Co. Producer of beef cattle and forages. 

• Lucas Hite, Gracey — Christian County, crop consultant at Nutrien Ag Solutions. Producer of row crops, cattle and sheep at Porter Porter and Hite Farms. 

• Alayna Jacobs, Lawrenceburg — Anderson County, conservation agronomist at Cargill Inc. Producer of beef cattle

• Courtney Jenkins, Cannel City — Morgan County, Extension specialist for professional development at UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and is part of the family-owned Worth the Wages Farm

• Ben Lynch, Paris — Bourbon County, broodmare manager at Godolphin LLC

• Austin Matheny, Mayslick — Mason County. Producer of commercial cattle, Hereford cattle, corn, soybeans, hay and pasture

• Judd McElroy, Waverly — Union County. Producer of corn and soybeans

• Whitney Monin, Caneyville — Grayson County, seed lead at Kentucky American Seeds. Producer of corn and giant pumpkins. 

• Megan Moore, Williamsburg — Whitley County, county executive director at USDA - Farm Service Agency. 

• Hannah Sharp-Johnson, Lexington — Fayette County, board and special projects manager at Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy. 

• Samantha Stamm, Wallingford — Fleming County, northeast regional facilitator at Kentucky Beef Network. Producer of Angus cattle, corn, soybeans and hay

• Megan Underwood, Campbellsville — Taylor County, communications coordinator at American Gelbvieh Association

• Morgan White, Owingsville — Montgomery County. Producer of cattle and timber at MW Cattle Co.

Over four decades, more than 350 alumni have graduated from KALP. 

“KALP gave me the confidence and clarity to lead — both in my agricultural community and at home,” said Lauren Gibson, KALP Class 14 graduate and the grain origination merchant lead at Cargill. “I developed a deeper understanding of issues facing agriculture at the local, national and global levels, and I found my voice as an advocate for our industry. Because of KALP, I stepped into leadership roles with confidence, and I’ve grown into a stronger advocate, a better wife and mother, and a more engaged friend and citizen.” 

Learn more about the Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program at Martin-Gatton CAFE at kalp.ca.uky.edu.