Grayson County native Warren Beeler was appointed this month as the Director of Agriculture Policy at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.
Beeler, who is hailed as an “ag legend” in a recent KDA press release, was appointed by KY Agriculture Commissioner James Comer.
Beeler grew up farming in Grayson County, and is a graduate of Caneyville High School. After graduating, he went on to attend Western Kentucky University before beginning a noteworthy career in agriculture.
Despite his consistent and reliable work in the field of animal agriculture, he has continued to work his Grayson County farm along with his wife, Dee Dee and their five children.
Among his accomplishments, Beeler can count being the WKU Agriculture Alumnus of the Year, a member of Middle Tennessee State University’s Animal Science Hall of Fame, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association Service Award recipient, Kentucky FFA Distinguished Service Award recipient, former President of the Kentucky Pork Producers Association, and recipient of the Honorary State FFA Degree.
Beeler has been a show judge for 35 years, and has served in the KDA for more than 14 years. He will continue to oversee the KDA’s Division of Livestock Marketing in addition to his new, policy-making post.
Comer’s Chief of Staff, Holly Vonluehrte said of Beeler’s new position, “His role will basically expand and he’ll be doing a lot of speaking on behalf of the commissioner.”
She continued to say that he will take on a larger policy role, which is something he had never considered before.
“I think he and the commissioner just really think alike in terms of the vision and direction the department needs to go in.” Vonluehrte said. She added that Comer has wanted Beeler to take a larger role for some time, and that the two men share a focus on family farms.
“[Comer] feels like [Beeler] brings enormous credibility. He is a legend in agriculture. He is someone who pretty much every farmer in Kentucky knows by name and trusts.” Vonluehrte said.
The KDA press release quoted Comer as saying, “I have known and admired Warren Beeler since my days as an agriculture student at Western Kentucky University. He is one of the most respected leaders in animal agriculture, and I am honored to work with him to ensure that everything we do at KDA is most beneficial to our family farmers and agri-businesses.”
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