Outstanding Young Farm Family: Brad & Karen Hines

Growing up on his family’s dairy and tobacco farm in Hart County, Brad Hines worked as a diesel technician at Jacobi Sales and ran his own diesel truck and farm equipment repair business after graduating college. Knowing he wanted to return to his agricultural roots full-time, Hines purchased his first 113-acre farm at an auction in 2005. Today he manages a 1,350-acre operation where he raises beef cattle and grows alfalfa, corn, soybean, tobacco and wheat. His wife, Karen, who was also raised on a farm and actively involved in FFA, 4-H and livestock clubs throughout her youth, works as a nurse at a regional hospital in addition to assisting with the farm’s management and office work. In addition to farming their own land, Brad has also created additional income over the years through his diesel repair business and by providing custom planting and harvesting services on approximately 500 acres of land belonging to neighboring farmers. As the couple also continues to learn and implement more effective agriculture management practices, employ single-season calving and new breeding techniques for their cattle, and gain newer and larger facilities and equipment, their productivity has steadily increased each year.

Brad and Karen have both been members of Hart County Farm Bureau since 2001, are active members of the County, Kentucky and National Cattlemen Associations and participate in many other local industry and community-focused activities.

The “Outstanding Young Farm Family” competition is a program of the Kentucky Farm Bureau that recognizes an individual or couple under age 35 who has exhibited the strongest farm management skills, most consistent financial growth and highest level of involvement in both Farm Bureau and their community.