When you hear the words Farm Bureau, what comes to mind? For many people, it’s insurance. And while that certainly is one of the many things Farm Bureau has to offer, it doesn’t tell the whole story. In fact, that’s only a small part of the rich history of the Farm Bureau Federation!

At its heart, the Farm Bureau is an agriculture organization. According to History of the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation by J.E. Stanford, it’s an organization “of farmers, by farmers, and for farmers.” It is the “world’s largest, best known, and most effective farm organization” with a “brilliant record of achievements in the history of American agriculture.”

During the early 1900’s, individual Farm Bureaus came into existence in many different counties all over the nation. Their membership was made up of local farmers and others who worked in the agricultural industry. They met to address issues specific to their occupation and to offer support for one another. Kentucky’s own Farm Bureau Federation began in 1919 with 10 charter member counties - Allen, Ballard, JEFFERSON, Kenton, Laurel, Mason, Oldham, Todd, Union, and Washington.

Over the early years, county and state Farm Bureaus across the country expanded partnerships with one another leading to the formation of the American Farm Bureau Foundation. This solidified these individual groups into a more cohesive unit, providing stability and continuity.

As membership grew, so did the ways in which the Farm Bureau could assist farmers. In 1943, the Kentucky Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company was founded to help farmers protect their assets. That gradually expanded into offering coverage for people outside of the ag industry, as it does today.

Despite the massive success of the insurance arm of Farm Bureau, its core mission has never wavered. From its inception and into the future, we will continue to uphold our motto as The Voice for Agriculture.

Stanford, J.E. (1957) History of the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation. Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation Press.

See the history of Jefferson County Farm Bureau with your very own eyes! Our document archive is filled with primary sources such as letters, receipts, telegrams and more that bring the past to life.