SEPT
Farmer of the Year awards honor those who helped start KDA Farm and Home Safety Program
By Chris Aldridge
Kentucky Ag News
Three men and one family who played key roles when the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) began its Farm and Home Safety Program were honored as 2023 Farmers of the Year during the Raising Hope Farmer Appreciation Day at the State Capitol in Frankfort. Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Ryan Quarles called Kentucky’s program, coordinated by Dale Dobson, the best in the nation.
“Today, we’re going to honor people for what they have done to help their community, what they have done to promote safety, health, and mental health on their farm, in their county,” Dobson said at the podium on a sunny Wednesday, Sept. 20 on the Capitol grounds.
Dobson said the judging was based on individuals who had a long history with promoting farm safety. But even with that guideline, “Picking three names out of all the people (nominated) was very challenging,” Dobson admitted.
The Farmers of the Year were presented with a wood cutout of the state made from tobacco sticks. They were:
Billy Ray Smith, former agriculture commissioner
As Kentucky’s first two-term agriculture commissioner, Smith was responsible for securing the necessary funding to start the Farm and Home Safety Program, which has been credited for a significant reduction in the state’s farming-related deaths.
“When Billy Ray was campaigning … he came by my farm,” Dobson said. “He watched one of the safety shows that we did.”
Smith recognized the importance of the program and its need throughout all of Kentucky. After being elected commissioner, Smith took the necessary steps to create the safety program within KDA. Dobson’s experience made him a perfect candidate to fulfill the role of bringing the program to life.
“In 1998, I started teaching safety in Kentucky, my first-ever (state) job,” Dobson said. “And 25 years later, I’m still here.”
Smith is fourth-generation farmer, cattle breeder, and businessman. In addition to eight years as agriculture commissioner from 1996-2003, the Bowling Green native managed a grain elevator and livestock feed products company for nearly 30 years, represented Warren and Simpson counties in the Kentucky General Assembly for 14 years, and served seven years as executive director of the Kentucky FFA Foundation.
Former Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Billy Ray Smith, left, chats with current Commissioner Dr. Ryan Quarles during the COVID-shortened 2020 Kentucky State Fair. Smith was honored with a Farmer of the Year award for starting the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Farm and Home Safety Program during his first term as commissioner.
Appelman family, Maryview Farms
“We did a farm rescue class in that area (Bracken County near Augusta, Ky.), and Dale Appelman invited us to use their farm,” Dobson said, remembering his first year on the job.
“He, starting out, needed people that would be willing to help,” Appelman said. “We helped him put together a program using our equipment.
“We had already started doing some local safety classes with Farm Bureau and our local fire departments – we have three volunteer fire departments in the county – so we had just scratched the surface with safety,” Appelman added. “We started that program together. After that first one, I have been honored to be with Dale around Kentucky to take part in other safety trainings…. It’s blossomed into a wonderful relationship.”
“Over the past 25 years, we have hosted many classes there (at Maryview Farms),” Dobson noted. “He has furnished trucks, trailers, and equipment to do classes. He even loaned me his tractor (for a safety demonstration) to park it on top of a car!”
Dale and Jennifer Appelman accept a Farmer of the Year award on behalf of the Appelman family from Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Ryan Quarles, far right, and Kentucky Department of Agriculture farm safety coordinator Dale Dobson, far left. The Appelmans own Maryview Farms in Bracken County near Augusta, Ky.
Jerry and John Griffith, Griffith Farms
Dobson said brothers Jerry and John Griffith “have gone above and beyond for almost 30 years, hosting childhood safety days on their farm.” But their biggest contribution was helping supply the tractor used in Kentucky’s first rollover tractor simulator.
The brothers’ connections came in handy when Dobson was trying to build his first rollover tractor. Their relationship with farm equipment dealer Whayne Supply helped Dobson get the pieces he needed to complete the setup.
The Griffiths began teaching farm safety on their 3,200-acre Graves County farm when Jerry’s wife was a teacher at nearby Sedalia Elementary School.
“We were bringing the kids from school out there and talking to them about the equipment, showing them how big they were and what they do,” said John, who accepted the award.
“Mr. John is your typical old farmer – he’s 76 years old, retired, leases out the farm, but he’s still out there working every day,” Dobson added. “Getting him off the farm today has been almost an act of Congress!”
From left: Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Ryan Quarles presents a Farmer of the Year award to Rhonda, Patty, and John Griffith, who accepted the award on behalf of his brother, Jerry. Rhonda is John and Patty’s daughter. Kentucky Department of Agriculture farm safety coordinator Dale Dobson is at far right. The Griffiths own 3,200-acre Griffith Farms in Graves County near Sedalia, Ky.