Marion County

education offerings in marion county

Marion County Conservation District

  • Classroom visits

  • Farm to Fork hosted by the county extension

  • Contact Natalie Browning: natalie.browning@ky.nacdnet.net or 270-692-2431

Farm Profiles

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Peterson Farms is a family farm headquartered in Loretto. Once a dairy farm and milk processor in the 20th century, they now manage and grow more than 16,000 acres of corn, soybeans, and wheat in seven counties in central Kentucky. They come from a long line of farmers, tracing their farming ancestors back to Manhattan Island in the year 1640; that’s 13 generations of Petersons farming in the United States. They say the secret to their success is adapting to change.

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Loretto Motherhouse Farm
Loretto Motherhouse Farm is located in Nerinx. They produce high quality beef and grains, while caring for the environment and serving as a place of education.

The 789 acre farm is owned by the Sisters of Loretto, and managed by Cody Rakes. Multiple conservation practices such as riparian buffer zones, Forest Stand Improvement, and pollinator habitat zones have been implemented across the farm.

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Downs Farms
Downs Farms, operated by Mark and Samantha Downs, is located in Lebanon, Kentucky. They purchased their farm in 2019 and grow burley tobacco, soybeans, corn and wheat. They also raise beef cattle. Downs Farms was named Marion County Kentucky Farm Bureau’s Young Farm Family of 2019.

Rolling Fork Farm

Rolling Fork Farm is a certified organic farm specializing in fruits, vegetables & mushrooms in Gravel Switch, KY. They also raise pastured pigs & grass-fed beef. They partner with their friends at Casey County Organics and Salad Days Farm to host a multi-farm 20 week CSA from May to October. They currently deliver to Lexington & Louisville. For more information about their CSA share and pick up locations visit: www.rollingforkorganicfarm.com

Credit : Bluegrass Farm to Table

Bill Mattingly Farm

Bill Mattingly is from a farming family, and he lives and works on the farm where he grew up in Lebanon. In 1986, he married Susan and bought the 75 dairy cows and farm equipment from his parents to support his new family. In 1991, they bought the land from his father and expanded the dairy and milked up to 200 cows a day. 

In March of 2016, they decided to exit the milk business, but they still raise young cows for other dairy farmers. They also raise beef cattle. 

Source: Eunice Schlappi, Kentucky Department of Agriculture and Audrey McGowan

If you would like your farm featured on this page, please email us a photo and a short description at info@teachkyag.org.

Eden ElwellM