2021 KACAA Service Award Winners
2021 Search for Excellence Winners
Special Effort Award
Kevin Horn
The KACAA Special Effort Award recognizes an individual who has worked at an exceptional level, particularly behind the scenes, on behalf of KACAA or one of its members. This year, the association presented the award to Kevin Horn, Administrative Services Associate for Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension.
Kevin works tirelessly to assist with any and all needs of agents across the state. Kevin is always eager to help out in any capacity and never shies away from a challenge, even when it comes to feeding more than 120 hungry agents at the annual ANR/Horticulture updates! Kevin’s professionalism, enthusiasm, and unrelenting energy make him easy to work with, and his efforts do not go unnoticed. Thank you, Kevin, for all that you do to ensure the success of the ANR and Horticulture agents, as well as the Cooperative Extension Service!
Outstanding Specialist
Dr. Nicole Gauthier
The KACAA 2021 Outstanding Specialist Award recognizes an individual who goes above and beyond to support KACAA members. For the past 10 years Dr. Nicole Gauthier has strived to provide Agriculture & Natural Resources and Horticulture Agents, as well as other constituents with research-based information. Dr. Gauthier was instrumental in providing information and education on hemp diseases and has also devoted several hours of research to apple rot disease. In addition to providing expertise for fruit and ornamental diseases, Dr. Gauthier has recently stepped up to fill the void for commercial vegetable production pathology. Agents appreciate her willingness to help meet county program needs. Thank you Dr. Gauthier for all that you do to ensure the success of the Cooperative Extension Service!
Lay Leader Award
Tyler Ferguson
The Lay Leader Award recognizes an individual who has been a leader in all facets of agriculture in his/her community. Tyler & his wife, Andrea, have owned Blessed Ridge Farm since 2008, developing it from a reclaimed strip mine site into a working cattle farm. Tyler works full-time at Republic Diesel in outside sales and management. He is a graduate of Johnson Central High School and Big Sandy Community and Technical College.
In addition to Tyler’s full-time job and farm responsibilities, he still makes time to serve in leadership capacities in several organizations, as well as host various on-farm demonstrations and events.
Tyler serves in the following leadership roles:
- District 10 representative on KFB Board of Directors
- Kentucky Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee Chair, 2019
- Regional chair of the Young Producers’ Council of the Kentucky Cattleman’s Association
- Graduate of KFB’s Leadership Enhancement for Agricultural Development (LEAD) program
- President of Highlands Beef Cattle Association
- Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program Class XII
Tyler is also an engaged member of the following:
- Johnson Co. Extension Council
- Johnson Co. Agricultural Advancement Council
- Johnson Co. Agricultural Development Council
- Little Mud Lick Church of God (where he has served in several leadership roles)
- National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
2021 Poster Winners
