Two area farmers were named finalists for the Kentucky Farm Bureau "Farmer of the Year". They are Gary Cecil from Daviess County and Darren Luttrell from Ohio County.

Cecil began his tobacco farming operation 41 years ago with 10 acres. He now has over a 1,000 acres of tobacco, grain, and produce. He is the largest commercial watermelon grower in the state of Kentucky with 400 acres that produce 1,140 boxes per acre. Cecil's farm supplies many of the local schools with fresh produce during the spring and fall months. Cecil's son partners with him in a side business, Cecil's Spreader Service in which they spread fertilizer for farms in Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky.

Since 1982, Darren Luttrell has been a part of a family farming operation production acres double from 1,800 to 3,600 consisting of corn and soybeans. He also operates eight broilers houses and raises 380 head of beef cattle. Luttrell has also been associated with a leading agricultural technology company as a dealer. In the school system he is known as "Farmer Luttrell" and has helped teach children about life on the farm by hosting tours.

Mike Bach of Bath County was named "Farmer of the Year" at the KFB's 97th annual meeting in Louisville.

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