From Locust Trace to Future Farmers, Lexington student takes national leadership role

The Kentucky Farm Bureau recently had a conversation with University of Kentucky student Caroline Groth, the new National Future Farmer’s of America Eastern Region Vice President, discusses her journey to this national post and what the FFA organization has meant to her.

KFB: Would you share a little about your agricultural background with our readers?

CG: My ag background is a little different than most. I’m from Lexington, Kentucky. I didn’t grow up on a farm, and I don’t come from a multi-generational farming background. I actually lived in a little neighborhood growing up.

But in 2014, my family moved onto a farm. My dad had shown sheep when he was younger, and it was always his dream for his kids to do the same. In 2015, we purchased our first three ewes and through showing sheep at the county fair, I met my future ag teachers who encouraged me to attend Fayette County’s Locust Trace Agri-Science Center and become involved in FFA.

I’m glad I trusted them because joining FFA and going to Locust Trace was the best decision I could have possibly made for my high school career. I remember walking in my first day of freshman year and finally feeling at home.

KFB: Did you ever think about this, the first day you stepped into that school, that you would be where you are today?

CG: Definitely not. It was for sure a dream that I had after attending that first National FFA Convention, and meeting with state officers and other national officers. But as somebody who didn’t come from a super big ag background or FFA legacy family, I didn’t think it was something that I could do. But it was truly the people in my life, my mentors, my ag teachers, and my family who helped me realize that my dreams can become attainable goals.

I feel like I’ve gotten to where I am today because of the community of people who’ve poured into me.

KFB: You’ve become quite the advocate for FFA and agriculture. How does that feel, and how does that fit into where you are now?

CG: It’s a big responsibility, and it’s not one that I take lightly. But it’s one that I take with such pride. I like to refer to myself as a story-keeper. Throughout my year as state president, I got to travel across the commonwealth, meet with all of these amazing members, sponsors and donors, and hear their stories. And I think being an advocate is not only about telling your story, but about telling others’ stories and meeting people where they’re at.

KFB: As you begin your tenure as a national officer, what are some of the things that are going to take place that you’ll be involved with?

CG: As a group, we got to attend the turkey pardoning at the White House last November and in January, I’m going to Japan. I’m excited for that. Throughout the year, we travel for about 300 days and get to go all across the U.S., from Alaska to Hawaii, and everywhere in between. I cannot wait to meet members from across the country. We’ll be facilitating workshops at local chapters, giving keynotes at state conventions, visiting FFA camps across the country, and visiting with industry leaders, sponsors and donors from across the country.

KFB: Do you see yourself as an example to other people? I can imagine that there are a lot of people out there that you’ve touched their lives in some way. Do you ever think about that?

CG: I think that’s such an honor. I’m very fortunate to be in a position where I feel like people are viewing me as an example. But it’s all about the people who’ve helped shape me.

There are a lot of people that I look up to as leaders and I take little snippets of their style to help form my own. I hope people who view me as an example can do that, too.

KFB: When this year is up and you’re back in school, do you mind sharing with us a little bit about your studies, and maybe where you’re going as far as a career?

CG: I’m currently a sophomore at the University of Kentucky. I’m double majoring in ag education and ag economics. I plan to go to law school after I finish my undergrad studies. I don’t necessarily want to practice law, but my dream job is to one day be the first female Commissioner of Agriculture for the state of Kentucky. If that somehow changes as I continue to go on this path of life, I would not at all be upset if I ended up working for Kentucky Farm Bureau!

This article was originally published in the January 2025 issue of Kentucky Farm Bureau News.

This story was originally published January 29, 2025 at 2:18 PM.