FRANKFORT (March 28, 2018) — Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles commended six Kentucky high school student-athletes involved in agriculture for being named the 2018 Kentucky High School Athletic Association-Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) Ag Athletes of the Year.

“Whether it was learning new skills out in the field or pursuing a degree at university, my parents instilled in me the importance of education as I was growing up on my family’s farm in Scott County,” Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles said. “I was glad to present the 2018 Ag Athlete Awards to these agriculturally-minded student-athletes.”

The 2018 Ag Athletes of the Year were named at a ceremony during the KHSAA Boys Sweet Sixteen Tournament in March. The honorees are:

• Kourtney Ashby of Madisonville North Hopkins High School in Hopkins County;
• Timothy Nathaniel Messer of Washington County High School;
• Kimberly Molden of Southwestern High School in Pulaski County;
• Gracie Staude of Western Hills High School in Franklin County;
• Ben VanHook of Harrison County High School; and
• DeMarius Wilson of Tates Creek High School in Fayette County.

A total of 110 student-athletes applied for the 2018 Ag Athlete Awards and a committee selected the winners. The one-time scholarships, payable to an institution of higher learning, were awarded to senior student-athletes involved in agriculture who plan on continuing their education at a two-year or four-year institution or trade school following graduation. No state taxpayer dollars will be used to pay for the scholarships; they will be supported by the Department’s “Ag Tag” Fund, which is financed by voluntary donations from Kentucky motorists who buy or renew farm vehicle license plates.