(Louisville, KY – November 25, 2019) Two Kentuckians are being awarded significant honors from Kentucky Farm Bureau. Leslie McCarty of Montgomery County is the 2019 Women’s Educational Grant winner and Kelly Gates of Hopkins County has been named the Excellence in Ag Literacy recipient.  

 

The $1,500 Women’s Educational Grant is awarded annually to a non-traditional, female student who is interested in resuming her education after previously leaving school to fulfill either family or work-related responsibilities. Award recipient Leslie McCarty is married with a nine-month-old son and lives in Mt. Sterling, KY. Her husband is a full-time farmer. Leslie decided to go back to school to help ensure financial stability and support her young family.   

 

KFB’s “Excellence in Ag Literacy Award” is designed to recognize and reward teachers who excel in their efforts to incorporate agricultural concepts throughout their core academic studies. Kelly Gates has been teaching at Pride Elementary in Madisonville, Kentucky for 22 years and has created an outdoor learning environment for students. The program is called Courtyard for Curiosity which helps students maintain, cultivate, and beautify the school’s courtyard area. 

 

“Mrs. Gates is an advocate for all children. Her classroom is home to many furry friends that the students love and adore,” said Kristy Saint, principal at Pride Elementary. “She creates a sense of responsibility in her students through the care of these animals. Students all over the building want to visit her classroom.” 

 

For winning the award, Mrs. Gates will receive $500 cash and an expense-paid trip to the National Ag in the Classroom Conference where she will represent Kentucky in the national competition.