By WILL PERKINS
Glasgow News 1
Matthew Estes, a recent graduate from Barren County High School, was named vice president of Future Farmers of America for the state of Kentucky.
A leadership role within the agriculture organization is not a new experience for Estes, as he was the president of Barren County’s FFA program during his senior year of high school.
“The ag program at Barren County High School was definitely the most influential factor in my life,” Estes said, adding that he learned “what it means to be an agriculturalist and how to support the agriculture industry and just become a better advocate.”
Last March, Estes and other Barren County FFA students helped construct a garden and orchard behind Red Cross Elementary.
Estes said that was a great experience because they got to expose all the younger students to agriculture.
“I really liked seeing the people that aren’t from the farm really get their hands dirty and get to work,” he said.
Andy Moore, Barren County’s FFA adviser who was recently named the school district’s Farm to School Coordinator, said Estes is “one of the best.”
“He’s one of those that grew up in an ag family,” Moore said. “As an FFA adviser and ag teacher, you see them a lot of times throughout their whole childhood at all the different community events.”
Moore said he immediately noticed Estes had good manners and was very polite.
“It stood out,” Moore said. “You could tell that this young man’s been raised right. He wants to work hard.”
Once Estes began high school, his hard work and dedication continued.
“He’s had a tremendous career in the FFA and the ag program,” Moore said. “I think he’s impacted a lot of kids.
“They look up to him.”
Matthew Estes interacts with younger students while he helped them construct a garden behind Red Cross Elementary. Will Perkins/Glasgow News 1
Moore said a common theme in Estes is “the respect he has for others.”
“It’s natural because he never waivers from that,” Moore said. “He’s always just there to help and there to respect everybody.”
As one of 24 candidates from across Kentucky who ran for state office, Estes will serve a one-year term, according to a press release from Kentucky’s FFA Association. He was selected by a committee made up of graduating FFA members and elected unanimously by the delegate body.
“State Officers complete extensive training following their election,” the press release states. “They travel several thousand miles representing the State Association at local and regional FFA events, agricultural meetings, and various other functions across the state.
“Their year of service will conclude during the 97th State FFA Convention which will be held June 9-11, 2026 in Lexington.”
Estes plans to attend the University of Kentucky and major in agriculture economics.
“I might go to law school. Haven’t decided yet,” he said. “If I do, it would be to become an ag lawyer.
“But my dream job is to work for a commodity group.”
Matthew Estes was elected as the 2025-26 Kentucky FFA State Vice President.
