LEXINGTON, Ky. – When you’ve been farming for nearly half a century and have been a good steward of that land, people take notice.

Wesley Parker, who has been farming 1,650 acres in southern Christian County for 44 years, has been named Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) Farmer of the Year.

This annual KFB award recognizes an individual whose efforts not only strengthen the state’s agriculture industry but also demonstrate service and leadership both on and off the farm.

“It’s very humbling to be named the Farmer of the Year,” Parker said. “I have enjoyed being a part of this organization for many years and am proud to be part of Kentucky’s farming community. It’s a huge honor and I look forward to continuing to do my part to grow and strengthen the agriculture community in Kentucky.”

Throughout his farming career, Parker has served on numerous committees and has been a part of a variety of organizations. He has been on the Christian County Farm Bureau Board of Directors since 1988 and has served in multiple roles at Southside Church of Christ in Hopkinsville. He currently serves as a conservation district supervisor, where he said he is exposed to ideas and practices that help conserve land and resources.

“I was raised on a dairy farm and worked with the dairy cattle until it was time to attend college,” Parker said. “I attended Murray State and after I graduated and married my wife, Marsha, I came back to the farm. I didn’t realize how much I missed farming until I was away at school. But I soon realized that the dairy cattle business was no good, so I entered the hog business.”

But after 20 years in the hog business, Parker discovered his new love: row-cropping. “I learned all about row-cropping from my father-in-law,” he said.

Over the years, Parker has seen many successes but also some challenges, especially being the only full-time farmer on his farm. “The biggest challenge I’ve faced during my tenure as a farmer came in the 1980s, due to the droughts,” he said. “I feel like we learned well from those younger year mistakes. Any other problems with the farm are minor inconveniences compared to that.”

To this day, Parker raises cattle, corn, tobacco, soybeans, wheat and hay.

KFB’s farmer of the year program started in 2006 as a way to reward farmers for their commitment to excellence in the agriculture industry, efficiency in farming practices, sound financial management and leadership in civic organizations.

Parker will be honored during the KFB annual meeting at the Galt House in Louisville in December. In addition to statewide recognition and prizes, Parker will represent Kentucky in the 2022 Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year contest, the south’s most prestigious agricultural award.

The Southeastern Farmer of the Year program was started in 1990 by Swisher International (makers of Swisher Sweets cigars) and the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition. Since its inception, more than $1,164,000 has been awarded to state and overall winners of this contest. Ten southeastern states currently participate in this regional awards program. 

The Kentucky Farmer of the Year contest is open to all farmers older than 21 years of age. Interested farmers may obtain an application from their country farm bureau office or area program director. For questions or to nominate someone for this award, contact Joe Cain, commodity division director at 502-495-5000 or obtain an application by sending a request to Joe.Cain@kyfb.com.