FANCY FARM, Ky. (LEX 18) — Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles has been tapped as ringleader for political speeches at the 138th annual Fancy Farm gathering this August.
Quarles, the nation’s youngest statewide elected official, will emcee the annual St. Jerome Catholic Church Picnic’s political speaking.
Over the years, the picnic has become a must attend event for political watchers from around the state and nation and features speakers from both parties running for national, state and local offices.
“A love of both politics and agriculture run deep in west Kentucky,” said Mark Wilson, chair of the political speaking at the picnic. “Commissioner Quarles shares our region’s passion for both and we are excited for him to emcee this year’s political speaking.”
Keeping with tradition, invitations to speak at this year’s picnic will be extended to current constitutional office holders, both U.S. senators and the local U.S. representative and local candidates for the state House and Senate.
“Growing up a farm kid in Kentucky, you always hear about the Fancy Farm picnic,” said Quarles. “It was the fulfillment of a dream when I got the opportunity to take the stage for the first time in 2015 as a candidate, but I never imagined I’d have the chance to act as the emcee. It’s truly an honor to assume a role so many of the greats in Kentucky’s storied political history have filled before me.”
