This week’s Workforce Wednesday highlights Hopkinsville High School agriculture student, Grace Cansler, who is gaining valuable hands-on experience by working alongside Christian County Judge-Executive Jerry Gilliam and the dedicated team at Christian County Government.
Judge Gilliam brings a wealth of agricultural knowledge to his role and is deeply committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen our local farming community. His leadership reminds us why agriculture is the backbone of Christian County. Our county is recognized as one of the leading agricultural regions in both Kentucky and the nation, particularly for dark-fired tobacco production. With fertile southern plains paired with rolling northern hills, this land provides the perfect foundation for a thriving farming industry that continues to sustain countless families.
Agriculture here isn’t just about tradition—it’s about innovation. Christian County is the proud birthplace of commercial no-till corn farming, a practice started by Harry Young in 1962 that has since revolutionized soil conservation and improved water quality across the globe. This spirit of innovation is the legacy being passed on to students like Grace, who are learning that farming is not only about growing crops, but about shaping the future of sustainable agriculture.
Through her co-op, Grace is seeing agriculture in broad strokes. She is gaining an understanding of the importance of policy, land use, and community leadership, while also learning how her classroom lessons connect to the real-world challenges and opportunities that keep agriculture strong in Christian County.
This is exactly why Work-Based Learning (WBL) matters so much. Students like Grace are preparing for future careers, but they are also becoming part of the story that keeps agriculture moving forward—balancing tradition, innovation, and leadership in a way that benefits us all.
A heartfelt thank you to Judge Gilliam for mentoring our students, and congratulations to Grace for representing Hopkinsville High School’s agriculture program with excellence. Your hard work today is helping to build a stronger agricultural community for tomorrow.
✨ If you or your business would like to join programs like FUSION Work-Based Learning or IGNITE and help prepare students for their futures, please reach out to me at Kelly.Gates@christian.kyschools.us. Together, we can continue to connect students with opportunities that make Christian County stronger.
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