Kephart elected president of Kentucky Cattlemen's Association

Special to Kentucky Agricultural News

The Kentucky Cattlemen's Association (KCA) elected Corinne Kephart as the new president of the statewide organization during the 37th annual KCA convention this month in Lexington.

"It is such an honor to be the president of the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association," said Kephart.  "I look forward to the year ahead working with the membership and staff to support this amazing organization and amazing industry."

Kephart began her leadership role in the organization almost 10 years ago when she became a member of the Shelby County Cattlemen's Association. Soon after, she was elected to the local Board of Directors, and since then she has served as the Shelby County president, Region 3 vice president, KCA membership chair, KCA vice president and now takes the helm as KCA's first female president.

"I don't see the gender difference.  What stands out to me a little bit more is being younger, I'm one of the younger presidents," said Kephart. "If you are looking at gender, then I would want to use being the first female president as an encouragement to get more females involved in the organization."

It is Kephart's involvement in educational programs like the Kentucky Junior Cattlemen's Association and Kentucky Beef Network that has given her a greater appreciation for KCA's dedication to the membership. In fact, she believes it is the dedication along with the cooperative efforts the KCA has with UK and other agriculture organizations that has helped move Kentucky to the forefront of the beef industry.

"One of my main focuses for the year is to stress the importance of farmers telling their story, not just cattle producers but all of us in agriculture," said Kephart. "It is important for us to reach out to our neighbors and the consumers to help make people understand the role the beef cattle industry plays in our state and how our farmers work hard to provide a safe and healthy product for everyone."

Kephart is the Shelby County Extension Horticulture Technician. She lives and farms with her husband, Jacob, and her children, Jaycie and Caden, on their family farm in Henry County.

As the largest cattle-producing state east of the Mississippi River, Kentucky is home to more than 1.1 million beef cows and ranks fifth nationally in total number of farms. The Kentucky Cattlemen's Association, a grassroots organization with 8,500 members in 2009 representing all 120 counties, works to protect, advance and be a strong voice for the state's more than 40,000 cattle producers.

The KCA's 2009 president, Scotty Parsons, and 2010 President Corinne Kephart at the 37th annual KCA Convention. (Photo courtesy KCA)