Glendale farmer in the running for Farmer of the Year award

A Glendale farmer is in the running for Kentucky Farm Bureau’s 2024 Farmer of the Year award.

Richard Preston was named one of three finalists for the honor, which is presented to a Kentucky Farm Bureau member “whose efforts strengthen the state’s agriculture industry and demonstrate service and leadership, both on and off the farm.”

Preston says he wasn’t expecting the nomination, let alone being named a finalist.

“I spend a lot of time doing things that do not necessarily make the most money in farming, like looking for new ways to farm, but I was really excited when my colleagues, my peers, picked me to run in this contest, and then I know the competition was tough but somehow I managed to squeeze into the top three,” Preston said.

Preston is a first generation farmer, managing 3,300 acres of land with his wife Marjorie. After starting out in hogs and crops and transitioning to crops and tobacco, Preston grows corn, soybeans, and wheat, but farming wasn’t his original job when he graduated from Yale with a doctorate in physical chemistry.

“I was a scientist before I was a farmer, but I decided to come back to Kentucky to get away from the big city and everything, and now I live in Glendale and they’re bringing the big city to me, so I guess it’s just funny how things come around to get you, don’t they?” Preston said.

Preston says he is proud to be part of the Hardin County farming community.

“We have a group of excellent farmers,” Preston said. “They’re high up in leadership positions in commodity organizations and Farm Bureau, and just to be recognized in Hardin County gives me a lot of pride.”

Preston has worked as an advisor and mentor in the Crop Observation and Research Education Program and held leadership roles in Hardin County Farm Bureau. He tells future farmers the job is worth the time.

“It’s a great occupation,” Preston said. “I love being outside. It is very stressful and takes a lot of hard work, but if they’re willing to do that, it’s a very rewarding experience.”

Preston and the other finalists will be honored at the KFB Ham Breakfast at the Kentucky State Fair on August 21. The winner will be announced October 2 and recognized at December’s annual meeting.