When Ken Reed was 15 years old, his ag teacher co-signed on a $17,500 loan so he could buy cattle. To put that in perspective, that would be a loan for more than $185,000 today.

Reed bought the cattle, paid back the loan, and never forgot the support Mr. C.O. Neel showed him as a student. Because of the way Mr. Neel supported him, Ken and his wife, Brenda, have made it part of their life’s work to support agriculture programs and FFA in Kentucky.

Both Reeds are lifelong residents of Woodford County and attended Versailles High School. While there, Ken was named Kentucky Star Farmer, served as State FFA Sentinel, received his American Farmer degree, and was the FFA National Officer Candidate for Kentucky in 1955.

After graduation, Ken started farming, but was drafted into military service in 1958. Because of that, he had to sell all his livestock and machinery. After he returned home, it wasn’t economically feasible to start farming again, so he took a position with IBM and worked there for 34 years.

The Reeds are deeply invested in their community, and seek out ways to help any way they can. Ken served eight years as a county magistrate, has been on the board of Citizens Commerce Bank since 2004, and is a director of the Woodford County Farm Bureau.

Brenda was an accountant in Woodford County for 59 years; 39 of which she owned and operated her own business. Beyond being an astute businesswoman, Brenda cared deeply about her many clients and developed personal connections with them over the years. That attitude of service is the hallmark of how she and Ken have been part of their community, church, and other organizations, including Kentucky FFA.

“The Reeds are true philanthropists in their community,” said Sheldon McKinney, the executive director of the Kentucky FFA Foundation. “They give to many causes, and we are grateful that FFA is one of their core passions.”

Locally, Ken and Brenda sponsor the C.O. Neel Agricultural Achievement Contest for members of the Woodford County FFA chapter. Each year one winner is recognized for their hard work and awarded $400 to further their SAE project or education.

At the state level, the Reeds sponsor the Outstanding Agriculture Teacher Award.

“Mr. Neel was the reason we decided to support the Ag Teacher of the Year award,” said Ken. “He went out of his way to support me and all his students. He was like a second dad to me.”

Last November, the Reeds took one more step in their support of Kentucky FFA by becoming Blue and Gold Legacy Donors. This program allows people to set aside a percentage of their estate in their will to benefit the Kentucky FFA Foundation.

“We need to do whatever we can to support and recognize FFA members for their hard work and leadership in their community,” said Ken. “Because of their FFA experience, so many young people are able to go into their community and be responsible.”

“The Reeds are making a transformational gift to Kentucky FFA, just like Ken’s ag teacher made a transformational gift in his life,” said McKinney. “I think that’s so special.”

“We decided that one of the best things we could do would be support the Foundation,” said Ken. “It has a great record of major accomplishments in terms of earnings and returns. We feel comfortable that the gift we are leaving to the Foundation will be used in a way that will accomplish the most good for FFA members.”

“The Reeds are great examples of the thought and care that goes into planned giving,” said McKinney. “We are glad they know they can trust us to honor their legacy appropriately. That trust has been built over time and through our relationship. That’s what the Foundation does for our donors.”

“People sometimes shy away from thinking about giving through their estates, but your estate is going to go somewhere. Make sure it’s going to the people or causes you love. And if you choose to make your gifts as a percentage of your estate, there is no impact while the giver is living. We benefit from whatever is extra.”

The Kentucky FFA Foundation cultivates partnerships which support the FFA vision to grow leaders, build communities, and strengthen agriculture. Kentucky FFA Foundation initiatives impact 15,700 FFA members in 158 FFA chapters across Kentucky. For more information about planned giving or the Kentucky FFA Foundation, contact Sheldon McKinney at sheldon.mckinney@kyffa.org.