Daviess County’s Katie Cecil, a second-generation farmer at Cecil Farms, has been named the 2022 Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) Generation Bridge Advocate of the Year.
The award recognizes an individual between the ages of 36 and 49 who demonstrates leadership within Farm Bureau, is involved in their community, and advocates for agriculture at the local, state, and federal level.
“Receiving this award came as a shock to me initially. I was honored to have been nominated by Daviess County Farm Bureau, but certainly did not expect to be chosen on the state level,” Cecil said. “I am surrounded by extremely talented and well-qualified individuals in the ag industry across the state that I admire, and am humbled to be considered amongst those who are leading the way in Kentucky agriculture. It’s a honor to represent Cecil Farms on such a platform as advocacy for something we as a family love and live out everyday.”
Cecil manages wholesale produce distribution for Cecil Farms, allowing them to expand their reach and develop their customer relations. Within this role, she oversees the team members and the seed, transplant and harvest schedule of eight greenhouses and the mixed produce crop.
Cecil also runs a fresh cut flower and event business, Katie Ann Flowers at Cecil Farms. She grows flowers for clients throughout Western Kentucky and designs more than 30 weddings each year using her products.
“Katie is considered in our community as a very trustworthy, responsible, dedicated, and hardworking individual. She is an exceptional leader and is very worthy of this nomination,” Scott Elliott, President of Daviess County Farm Bureau, wrote in his nomination letter for Cecil.
In addition to her involvement at Cecil Farms, Cecil has attended the congressional tour with Kentucky Farm Bureau and has welcomed the opportunity to speak with members of the Kentucky delegation in Washington, D.C. about farm labor. She is also a participant in the Kentucky Farm Bureau LEAD program and Kentucky Ag Leadership Program.
Cecil created The Academy at Cecil Farms as a yearlong interactive program to provide real hands-on farming for school aged students as well. Additionally, she serves as the Ag Director at the Cliff Hagan Boys and Girls Club of Owensboro and is an active member of her church community.
