This is part six of a six-part series being produced by the Henry County Local to help the Henry County Extension Office celebrate its 100th anniversary, which will culminate with an April 17 event at it’s office from 4-7 p.m.
At 6 p.m. Steve Moore will do a Chatauqua-style portrayal of Carl Malone as he shares memories of his career in Henry County.
Agriculture Extension 2001-2015 written by Steve Moore, April 2025
“The early 2000’s brought about significant changes in Henry County Agriculture. Tobacco income fell from nearly $20 million annually in the late 1990’s to approximately $7 million in 2000, and the Tobacco Buyout was near. Farmers were looking for new ways to make a living. The Tobacco Settlement and the Buyout Funds came at the right time for farmers to make investments in enterprises other than tobacco, and expansion of cattle numbers was one of the most popular options. It didn’t hurt that the cattle cycle at the time was at a high, and prices for corn and soybeans went way up for a time. Some looked at all these factors as a perfect storm for change.
“2001 was a year in which the current CAIP (County Agriculture Investment Program) was born. In general, the Kentucky Agriculture Development Board agreed that many approved practices in agriculture, in nearly every enterprise or commodity, should be allowed to be 50% cost shared with the County Tobacco Settlement monies. While the Henry County Agriculture Development Council would direct the funding, they, as a unit, could not handle the funds. Only organizations registered with the Secretary of State, with their own Articles of Incorporation, could establish a bank account to receive and disburse the County Phase I Funds. To accomplish this purpose, three Associations were organized: the Henry County Cattleman’s Association, the Henry County Meat Goat Association, and the Henry County Diversification Association. Each Association applied to the County Council for funding, then received applications from farmers interested in the programs they offered, and then made the 50% cost share payments to the farmers. In the meantime, the UK College of Agriculture requested and received significant funding, and in a multi-disciplinary approach, put together a program for Counties and groups of Counties which this author believes truly changed the way the Extension Service educated it’s farm population: the MASTER CATTLEMAN PROGRAM.
“In 2002, the Extension Service spent a good portion of the year assisting farmers and the Agriculture Development Council in getting the Phase I Tobacco funds into farmers hands through the CAIP program. The newly organized Cattleman’s, Meat Goat, and Diversification Associations met regularly to facilitate the Cost Share programs. The first Cattleman’s Association President was Sarah Stewart, followed by Bobby Foree. A new award was born in 2002, and Lloyd and Pat Gray were selected as the first Cattleman of the Year! The Cattleman’s Field Day was held on Dr. Eddie Foree’s Graystone Farm. And the first Master Cattleman’s Class was begun (more on this later). The Extension Office itself was about to make a great change. The Extension Council and Extension District Board embarked on a mission to buy land and build their own office. When the property near the entrance of the Henry County Country Club was secured, they hired an Architect Firm to design and handle the building project. Our Architect was Cheryl Creech Kersey, a former standout 4-H Dairy Club member from Henry County.
“2003 began with the Extension Service moving into the new Extension Offices just north of New Castle, leaving the upstairs offices in the Henry County Farm Bureau Building they had occupied since 1978. The beautiful and people friendly offices had been designed and decorated by 4-H Agent Cathy Robinson Toole and Cheryl Creech Kersey. A spacious Meeting room has allowed for literally thousands of educational meetings through the years. This new Extension Office has allowed for expanded Extension Education and certainly has been a big plus for all of Henry County. Extension work included a Marketing Conference, an Estate Planning Series, a Forestry Field Day, and a Cattleman’s Field Day on the Lloyd Gray Farm. Tony Whaley became the Cattle Association President, with the Cattleman of the Year award going to Gary and Jan Stivers and Sons. Master Cattleman class was a significant change from the way Extension had traditional offered educational programs for farmers. Instead of a one day or one night update for whatever subject matter being offered, the Master Cattleman class had a class size limit, farmers had to pre-register and pay, and the full class was held over the span of 10 classes, with each class at least 2 to 3 hours at night. This author was skeptical this approach could be successful, but he was proved wrong big time! Not only did the class fill up, but the class members loved it and indicated they had received so much more useful information than ever before. Classes included Genetics, Reproduction, Nutrition, Forages, Marketing, Management, and even a field trip to the UK Meat Animal Processing facility on Campus.
“In the year 2004, the Extension work was an extension of the previous year. A Winter Marketing Conference, a Forestry Field Day and the Annual Tobacco Meeting at the DAV Bingo Hall were held along with nearly monthly meetings of the Meat Goat Association and the Cattleman’s Association. A new Master Cattleman Class was started, and Extension Service provided informational meetings concerning the Tobacco Buyout. The Cattleman’s Association meetings were held in the new Extension Meeting Room and always included a Veterinarian Report from Dr. Muncey Pryor, a USDA report, a 4-H report, and FFA report, a grilled beef supper cooked by the Cattleman’s Cooking crew, usually a brief sponsor report, and an educational program of some type. Allan Bryant served as President, and meeting size grew to fill the Extension Meeting room, as it still does today. Cattleman of the Year for 2004 went to Bobby and Jean Kay Foree.
“2005 saw more Extension meetings to help farmers understand the Tobacco Buyout, including the Annual Tobacco meeting at the DAV Bingo Hall where 145 farmers attended. Another Master Grazer Class was organized, with two more intensive type classes of this type. Horse College and a Master Grazer Class filled up quickly. The Master Cattleman model really worked. Also newly organized that year was a Heifer Sale called the Capital Classic. Held at the Owenton Stockyards, the Heifer Sale provided some purebred farms a nice outlet for their breeding stock, and added quality genetics to many local cattle herds. CAIP Cost Share funds could now be used for a growing list of approved practices and infrastructure on farms, with successful applicants able to be repaid up to $2500 as a 50% Cost-Share. The Cattleman’s Association monthly meetings were popular, Alvin Tingle served as President, and Herrell Brothers (Dennis and Todd) of Bethlehem were named Cattleman of the Year.
“2006 saw a County committee work on the addition of a large covered Marketing and Show Arena at the Fairgrounds after the old show barn was damaged by wind. The Henry County Agriculture Development Council and eventually the Ky Ag Development Board approved some of the County’s Phase I Tobacco funds to help make the project possible. The Arena has become a popular and well used feature of the fairgrounds, with livestock shows and sales, horse events, and Harvest Showcase events taking place there. In livestock and forage work, the Extension program included hosting the Regional Beef Field Day at Herrell Farms near Bethlehem. A Computers for Farmers series was held at the office. The Cattleman of the Year award was presented to Capstone Farms by Association President Brian Stivers.
“The next few years saw Henry County Agriculture transition from a tobacco economy to more emphasis on Beef Cattle production, Cash sale hay, Grain Crops, and many different niche marketing enterprises. A robust Farmers Market filled the front yard of the Courthouse on Wednesday and Saturday Mornings. A produce auction was begun at Campbellsburg. The Paul Tokosh Farm hosted a Ky Horticulture Society Tour stop. The CAIP program and educational programs such as Master Cattleman, Master Grazer, Horse College, Horse Owners Grazing School, Advanced Master Cattleman, and Annie’s Project put farmers in position to trend away from tobacco. While difficult to put actual dollar values on the positive changes, it was evident that the quality of Henry County beef cattle marketings were improving. Improved cattle handling facilities, storage for winter hay, improved genetics from tested bulls, improved forages, and increased emphasis on cattle health such as CPH-45 programs all contributed to Henry County and Kentucky calves becoming sought after by western feedlots. Cattleman of the Year honors were presented to Graystone Farms, Joey Kephart Farms, and Johnny Allison Farms. The Advanced Master Cattleman Class used Dottie James’ farm near New Castle to plan a grazing layout.
“In 2010, a Youth Ag Day was developed at the Robbie and Katie Sue Farm near Bethlehem. For several years, all 4th grade youth in the County were treated to an on-farm experience that truly showed them where food came from, from farm to table. Those youth will likely always remember the steam engine powering Robbie’s wheat thrasher, and then eating a snack of Katie Sue’s strawberry preserves on bread made from the wheat. Leon Creech was named Cattleman of the Year in 2010, with Allan Bryant, Ryan Roberts, Jackson’s Reality Farm, Phillip Douglas, and Chris McBurney honored with the award in the succeeding years through 2015.
“In 2013, a couple of farmers started wondering if a Meat Processing Facility might be possible for Henry County and the surrounding area. Jon Bednarski and Chris McBurney both produced beef for direct sale to consumers, and found it difficult to transport to existing Facilities as far away as Bardstown. Some meetings were organized gauge farmer interest, experts were called in, and a feasibility study was financed by funds requested from the Henry County Agriculture Development Council. The study showed a local Meat Processing Facility would work, and through efforts by County Judge Executive John Logan Brent, two prospective young men were found who were interested in building and operating such a facility. Jon Edwards and Chris Wright, both from generational farm families in Trimble County worked with experts to design the Meat Processing Facility and Phase I Tobacco Settlement Funds were committed from Henry County Ag Development Council and likewise all surrounding counties. Along with a low interest loan from the Ky Ag Finance Corporation which was administered by the United Citizens Bank, the financial package was secured and a lot was purchased in the industrial development site owned by the Henry County Fiscal Court at Campbellsburg. Ground was broken in 2014 for the Trackside Meat Processing facility in a large ceremony which included Governor Steve Beshear and legislators Rick Rand and Paul Hornback. The facility has allowed many more farmers to direct market their beef, and many farm families to economically supply their own families with their own beef.
“In the Regional Cattleman’s Field in October 2014, over 250 farmers from around the area attended the event hosted by the Bobby Foree Family at Old Homestead Farm. Dignitaries included Dave Maples, CEO of the Kentucky Cattleman’s Association, Drew Graham, CEO of Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation, Jimmy Henning, Dean of Extension, and Dr, Nancy Cox, Dean of the College of Agriculture. In her remarks, Dean Cox recognized and applauded the leadership Henry County farmers have provided to Agriculture on the local, regional, state, and even national levels through the years.
“In 2015, County Agent Steve Moore retired and later that year, Levi Berg became Henry County’s 9th County Extension Agent for Agriculture. In an article for the HENRY COUNTY LOCAL, December 31, 2014, Moore wrote: ‘In my experience, and through my discussions with other Henry County Extension Agents I’ve had the pleasure to meet and work with, the one common denominator about what makes Henry County a great place to live and work is the PEOPLE. You have welcomed us Extension Agents with open arms, allowed us to be part of your community and your families, and worked with us on programs and services that make a difference in lives. Our heartfelt thanks!’ ”
Megan Wetenkamp, Henry County Extension Agent for Agriculture wrote in April 2025
2015-2025
“Levi Berg was hired August 3rd, 2015. Levi was involved in 4-H early on at 5 years old and continued into FFA in high school. He grew up in West Virginia and earned a Bachelor’s in Animal and Nutritional Studies and Masters in Animal Physiology from West Virginia University. During Levi’s tenure as the Extension Agent for Agriculture, he facilitated multiple successful programs focused on beef cattle and forages. Some of which included sessions of Master Cattleman, Master Haymaker and Raising the Steaks (a direct-to-consumer meat series). Levi transferred to an Ag Agent position in Clark County in the Fall of 2021.
“In 2018, Maryellen Garrison retired as Family Consumer Science Agent for Henry County Extension after 47 years of service. She remained a big part of the community after retirement. Maryellen continued leading her exercise class, Living Well, at the Extension Office. That class is still very popular today. Maryellen came back to the Extension Office to fill our part-time temporary Administrative Assistant position. She fills in when Kelly takes leave. We love that we still have Maryellen as part of our office.
“From 2015-2019 the Extension Office hummed along as normal, facilitating educational programs, youth 4-H clubs, and countless other community development activities. 2020 paused much of the nation, but Extension carried on. The 4-H Agent, Cathy Toole prepared “take and make” kits for clubs. The ANR Agent, Levi Berg recorded educational sessions for farmers. During this time there was a hiring freeze state-wide for all Cooperative Extension. The FCS Extension Agent position remained unfilled until October 2021 when Krista Perry transferred to Henry County. Krista grew up on a farm in Shelby County, attended University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, and started her career in Extension on April 1st, 2011, as the 4-H Agent in Boone County. She transferred to Franklin County 4-H before eventually finding her home in Henry County as our Family Consumer Science Extension Agent.
“The Cattlemen’s Association continues to grow to a point where we are needing to change locations for the annual meeting this November. At the April meeting this past Monday there were around 132 members present. This can be attributed to the dedicated board members and presidents throughout the years. In 2022 the president was Chris McBurney. That year there was a field day the board planned at Henry County Supply about pesticides. The Cattleman of the Year in 2022 was John David Yount. In 2023 John Allison was elected as president and still serves in that role. The Cattleman of the year in 2023 was David McGuire. Our most recent Cattleman of the Year recipient was Shaun Woods in 2024.
“June 1st, 2022, I (Megan McCoun Wetenkamp) was hired as the Agriculture Agent. I grew up on a farm in Smithfield. My parents are Doug and Cassie (Chilton) McCoun. When I started this job, I was excited and nervous. Excited to have the most rewarding job in the world, nervous knowing there was a long history of great extension agents before me. The first few months were, as they say, “drinking from a fire hose.” I learned a lot very quickly. I am extremely grateful for the people I work with every day. I leaned on Cathy, Kelly, and Krista a lot, and still do. Between them there is 56 years of experience in Extension.
“A great part of the job is planning and facilitating educational programs. This allows for a lot of creativity. My favorites have been Temporary Fencing School, Farm Estate Planning Series, Ag Funding Workshop, Ration Building Crash Course, and Making Hay for Horses. My favorite part of the job are the people. I have made so many friends. Some feel like family at this point. I look forward to many years serving as your Henry County Extension Agent for Agriculture.”
