Interview with Ray Mackey, June 11, 1985

Interview Summary

Ray Mackey is the President of the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation. He was born in Highway, Kentucky in 1927. He earned his bachelor's degree in Agronomy from the University of Kentucky. He describes his earliest recollections of the extension service during his boyhood days in Clinton County as a member of Future Farmers of America and 4-H. He remembers that D.E. Salisbury was the County Agent.

After college, Mackey went to Hardin County to operate a seed processing plant for the Dixie Stock Farm. Mackey and his brother eventually bought the entire Dixie Stock Farm, and operated it together for several years. During the 1970s, Mackey and his brother decided to split the farm in half. The brothers also purchased the nearby Meadowview Farms. They grow corn, soybeans, burley tobacco, and alfalfa hay. They also have beef cattle. Mackey states that he has worked with county agents to do demonstrations on his farm, and explains that he is always willing to cooperate because it allows him the opportunity to learn. He mentions the Green Pasture Programs and other extension programs and projects. Mackey was a 4-H leader and talks about providing farm experience for the young people involved in 4-H. Mackey was also involved in the local fair and talks about the development of the fair grounds itself. He was involved in the establishment of the Livestock Improvement Association and participates in beef cattle sales.

Mackey describes a Farm Bureau tour in Washington during which he was able to meet with Secretary Block of the Department of Agriculture about a tobacco program. Mackey also describes the attempt to boost U.S. farm products sold to other countries. He explains the limitations in foreign trade including the powerful U.S. maritime unions. Mackey also mentions competition between U.S. and European agriculture. Mackey praises the University of Kentucky extension service, and talks about the Kentucky Farm Bureau and their role in defending the tobacco program for Kentucky farmers. He states that Kentucky is the fifth largest Farm Bureau membership state.

Mackey and his wife have seven children who range in age from 14 to 32. Two of his sons help manage the farm. He talks about his involvement with the Hardin County Farm Bureau, his role as a delegate to the Elizabethtown-Hardin County Chamber of Commerce, and his membership in the Hardin County Extension Council and in the Livestock Improvement Association. In 1980, he served on a committee for Kentucky Agricultural Research and Extension. He was elected as a state board member of the Kentucky Farm Bureau in 1956 or 1957, and has served for twenty years on the state farm bureau board of directors. He mentions his associations with the Burley Farmers Advisory Committee, the Kentucky Cancer Commission, the mid-Kentucky Angus Association, and the Kentucky Livestock Improvement Association. He recalls recognition from the Hardin county Jaycee, the Elizabethtown/Hardin County Chamber of Commerce, and the Distinguished Service to Farm/City Relations.

Interview Keyword

Kentucky's Cooperative Extension Service

Interview LC Subject

Agriculture. Mackey, Ray, 1927- Mackey, Ray, 1927- --Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History University of Kentucky. Cooperative Extension Service

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Interview Usage

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