LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) has selected Scott Porter, of Mason County, as the 2025 Kentucky Farmer of the Year and Kristan Wright, of Henry County, as its 2025 Farm Woman of the Year.

“Scott is very deserving of this honor and he shows an unwavering commitment to excellence in agriculture, efficiency in his farming operation, and a high level of business and financial expertise,” KFB President Eddie Melton said.

Porter operates Springdale Stock Farms LLC on 1,775 acres of pastureland in Maysville. A full-time cattleman, his 900-head commercial beef cow herd is bred to high-quality Angus bulls to produce top-tier steers and replacement females. For the previous 20 years, Porter operated a combination of cows and purchased calves, and at its peak, the farm reached 5,000 head per year.

Porter said he gained valuable experience and knowledge over those two decades.

“Those years spent in a fast-paced buy-and-sell environment provided an opportunity to experience and learn many aspects of the cattle business,” he said. “The successes I had also brought financial security to my family and a debt-free cattle operation today.”

Today, Porter is focused on continuous improvement, which includes further streamlining his operation. To increase the carrying capacity for cattle on his land, he has completed soil testing, developed some rotational grazing pastures and cleared and reseeded large areas of the farm.

He is passionate about helping to ensure that younger generations of cattlemen and women succeed.

“I want to share 20-plus years of education in backgrounding and finishing cattle,” he said. “Making a living buying and selling cattle works better if you understand what you bought today and its potential down the road, especially at harvest.”

Porter and his wife, Mary Ann, have four children.

Runners-up for the KFB 2025 Farmer of the Year were Mark Metcalfe, of Hopkins County, and Mike Wilson, of Anderson County.

Wright, who was named a runner-up for the 2024 award, has dedicated her career to both agricultural production and education. This prestigious annual award honors women whose exceptional contributions to agriculture exemplify innovation, leadership and community service.

Alongside her husband, Daniel, she owns and operates a diversified farming operation that includes tobacco, corn, soybeans, hay and rye straw as well as sheep, hogs, beef cattle, alpacas and other livestock.

Wright oversees every aspect of animal care and marketing and manages their KFB Bureau Certified Farm Market, where they sell fresh produce, flowers, pumpkins and seasonal goods.

“Being named Farm Woman of the Year is a tremendous honor,” Wright said. “This award means so much to me and my family because farming and teaching have always been at the heart of who I am. It reflects not only our work on the farm, but also the importance of educating the next generation about where their food comes from and how we care for the land and animals that sustain us. I’m grateful to KFB for its continued commitment to supporting farm families and agricultural education across the states.”

In addition to her hands-on farm work, Wright has built a distinguished career as an agricultural educator. After 13 years teaching agriculture and advising FFA students at Seneca High School in Louisville, she now serves as agricultural education consultant and state FFA adviser for the Kentucky Department of Education. In this role, she helps teachers and students statewide while supporting initiatives such as the “All in for Ag Week” program and the Raising Hope grant initiative, which strengthen agricultural literacy and youth engagement across the Commonwealth.

Wright also organizes several agriculture education events each year, such as petting zoos, school programs and the popular “Animals for Learning” event. Her commitment to educating youth and the public about modern farming practices continues to bridge the gap between Kentucky’s agricultural community and its urban consumers.

Wright and her husband have two children.

Runners-up for the 2025 Farm Woman of the Year award are Jennifer Poole, of Daviess County, and Tess Caudill, of Mercer County.

Porter and Wright will be honored at KFB’s annual meeting in Louisville on Dec. 5.