Sheldon McKinney’s August Article in The Farmer’s Pride: Different Paths, Endless Opportunities

Kentucky FFA Foundation Executive Director Sheldon McKinney recently contributed an article to the August edition of The Farmer’s Pride, highlighting the different paths that lead students to FFA and the opportunities they discover along the way.

“As agriculture teachers across Kentucky prepare for a new school year, I can’t help but be excited about the thousands of students who will get to have their first Kentucky FFA experience this year. There will be students who enter the doors of an agriculture classroom by accident, by chance, by choice or by long standing family tradition. Each of those students will be welcomed by an agriculture teacher and the support of the Kentucky FFA Foundation as we work hard to make sure they each have every opportunity available to them. 

This summer, I had the privilege of working with incredible FFA members who inspire and keep our team motivated. Our mission of growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture is truly working! I want to share the stories of Kentucky FFA’s State Stars and a National Star in Agriscience. Each discovered FFA in a different way, but they all grew, and they are all leading in Kentucky agriculture.

Some students come to FFA practically from birth, and that’s true for our 2026 State Star in Agricultural Placement, Cyrus Bivens, a LaRue County FFA member. He is the son of Ryan and Misty Bivens, owners of Fresh Start Farms; his mother, Misty, is also an incredible agriculture teacher. Cyrus describes his work on the farm with deep commitment and great enthusiasm. He shares that his SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) is a second-generation project: his father, Ryan, began his journey in production agriculture through his own FFA experience, and now Cyrus and his brother, Avery, get to build on that legacy. It’s the stuff dreams are made of.

Colton Hardy, the 2026 Kentucky FFA State Star Farmer, represents the sixth generation of Hardys to grow tobacco in Daviess County. His father, Clint, is the Extension agent in Daviess County, so Colton was naturally set to become an Apollo FFA member. Championed by his agriculture teachers, family, and community, his strong work ethic, preparedness, and drive helped him purchase a farm of his own on his 18th birthday, a bold step that few his age would dare to take. Colton shared with me that FFA prepared him in three key ways: it taught him disciplined record-keeping, effective communication, and how to present himself with confidence. Seeing that kind of growth proves we are fulfilling our purpose.

This summer, I also got to spend time with Mallie Johnson, our State Star in Agribusiness from the South Laurel FFA Chapter. Mallie was originally recruited by her agriculture teachers to join FFA simply because she was wearing a t-shirt with a cowboy riding a horse. As it turned out, that shirt was a great indicator of her deep passion for agriculture. In addition to being a poultry farmer, Mallie is an artist and entrepreneur. Her custom leathercrafting business, Wild West Obsessed, has garnered hundreds of thousands of views online and evolved into a highly successful enterprise. Her work is remarkable, and she is just getting started.

Kentucky FFA is also celebrating our very first American Star in Agriscience Finalist, Jose A. Villanos, a LaRue County FFA member who joined FFA almost by accident. His agriculture teachers, Misty Bivens and Chris Thomas, noted that when Jose was in the eighth grade, he signed a pledge card at a prospective student night. Being a person of commitment, Jose followed through even though he had no prior knowledge of FFA. Jose originally wanted to be a mathematician. His dedicated teachers sought out every opportunity to show him how a mathematician and scientist could thrive in agriculture. Today, Jose studies Agricultural Biotechnology at the University of Kentucky and has been named a Goldwater Scholar. His research and innovation are truly shaping the future of agriculture.

These students represent the cream of the crop in Kentucky agriculture. Each found their path to FFA differently, but through it, they discovered meaningful opportunities, honed their leadership skills, and are now thriving in their respective fields.

That is why I am so filled with optimism at the start of every school year. As thousands of students walk into agriculture classrooms across the state, the sky is truly the limit. The Kentucky FFA Foundation remains steadfast in ensuring those doors of opportunity stay wide open.”