By Blake Jackson
In recognition of National Farmer’s Day, Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) has named Steve Rogers of Hardin County the 2026 Kentucky Farmer of the Year. Rogers will receive the award during the organization’s annual meeting in Louisville on Friday, December 4, 2026.
The annual award honors individuals whose agricultural knowledge, innovation and community involvement contribute to Kentucky’s farming industry.
“Steve has built a strong farming operation and legacy for his family, and he’s given generously of his time to his county Farm Bureau and his community,” said KFB President Eddie Melton.
“He represents the very best of Kentucky agriculture, from his hard work and careful stewardship of the land to his commitment to the people around him. We are proud to name him our 2026 Kentucky Farmer of the Year.”
Rogers operates a grain farm near Glendale, producing corn, soybeans and wheat across 3,300 acres, including 1,800 acres he owns, and 1,500 acres he rents. His sons, Phillip and Adam, work alongside him, helping develop a succession plan to continue the family’s agricultural legacy.
Rogers daughter, Sarah, works as a division safety, health and environmental advisor for Nutrien Ag Solutions. Rogers and his late wife, Ann, who died in 2013, have three children.
Rogers began farming in 1978 while attending high school, renting 38 acres from his father and baling straw to help finance his education at the University of Kentucky, where he earned a degree in agronomy.
Over the years, he has adopted conservation-focused practices, including full-season no-till soybeans, before the method became widely used in the region. His operation now relies almost entirely on no-till farming and incorporates filter strips, 2x2 fertilizer placement, and Y-drop technology to improve nutrient delivery to crops.
The family’s agricultural history also includes a longstanding relationship with Weisenberger Mills. Since the 1980s, the farm’s white corn has supplied the mill, continuing a tradition started by Rogers’ father. Today, the Rogers name appears on the mill’s cornmeal packaging.
Beyond farming, Rogers has served on the Hardin County Farm Bureau board and chaired its grain committee, contributing to local agricultural initiatives.
“I’m honored to be named Kentucky Farm Bureau’s Farmer of the Year, though I don’t take this as mine alone. I had a lot of help at the beginning, and everything since has come from planning ahead and staying at it,” Rogers said.
“What I’m proudest of now is watching my sons take on more of the decisions each year. We’ve worked to take care of this ground so it’s still productive for them and for their children. That’s the part that matters,” Rogers added.
Photo Credit: kentucky-farm-bureau
Categories: Kentucky, Business