News & Insights

Growing the Next Generation

On Saturday, July 11th, SMC opened the doors of our Hopkinsville complex to members of Kentucky Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers program and Generation Bridge program, welcoming them for a behind-the-scenes tour as part of their Summer Outing.

A big thanks to our own Eric Threlkel, Maggie Molina, and Jonathan Poston, who led the tour and gave attendees a firsthand look at how wheat moves from the field to the finished product.

Why This Tour Matters

Our growers’ hard work — and the wheat they cultivate — is the foundation of everything SMC does. We’re currently on the tail end of another successful harvest, and the quality of this year’s crop is exactly what it takes to produce cost-effective, nutrient-dense foods, along with valuable co-products for animal feed and industrial use.

Tours like this one are about more than a walkthrough of our facility. They’re an opportunity to help both current and future generations of wheat growers understand exactly where their crop goes once it leaves the field, and why it matters so much to the economic health of our region. Educating and engaging the people who grow our wheat is one more way SMC and our employees give back to the agricultural community we’re part of.

More About Who We Welcomed

Kentucky Farm Bureau Young Farmers brings together agriculturalists ages 18–35 to sharpen their leadership and advocacy skills. The program is built around connecting, growing, and developing young KFB members through family-friendly experiences and opportunities.

Generation Bridge was created to develop KFB leaders ages 36–49 and support the goals set by the Vision 100 Committee. True to its name, BRIDGE stands for Building Relationships, Innovation, and Dynamic Growth through Engagement — cultivating rising leaders through hands-on involvement across the agricultural industry.

Investing in What Comes Next

Whether someone is just starting out or stepping into a leadership role, SMC is proud to help connect the people growing Kentucky’s wheat with the story of where it goes. It’s a small piece of a much bigger picture — and one we’re glad to keep investing in.