Farm Credit Mid-America has recognized Susan Miller of Lincoln County, Kentucky, as its 2025 Community of Excellence Award recipient.
A third-generation farmer, Miller is the owner-operator of Miller Farms, where she and her family grow vegetables on 15 acres of farmland using high tunnels, black plastic irrigation, and other sustainable practices. Their crops include tomatoes, beans, squash, corn, cabbage, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, watermelons and more. Through an ongoing partnership with Black Soil: Our Better Nature, Miller Farms has been delivering healthy food to Lexington and surrounding areas, with plans to expand access to additional food-insecure communities.
Miller’s work is rooted in addressing food insecurity through hands-on action. In 2019, she launched a backpack food program for local students. That effort expanded to include a community school garden, allowing families to pick fresh vegetables at no cost, and a senior citizen food voucher program supported by fiscal court donations and local sponsors.
She is also a visible voice in Kentucky agriculture and has been featured in Kentucky Living Magazine, on KET, and in books by celebrated Kentucky authors Crystal Wilkinson (“Praise Song for the Kitchen Ghost”) and Angela Correll (“The May Hollow Trilogy”).
“Susan is a visionary leader who turns passion into meaningful action,” said Marcus Tyler, Customer Resource Manager at Farm Credit Mid-America. “She’s not just growing food — she’s growing opportunity, connection and community resilience in a region where it truly matters.”
“I love to farm, and I love teaching people how to farm,” said Susan Miller. “My hope is that by growing good food, sharing what we know, and serving our neighbors, we strengthen our community from the inside out. This award inspires me to keep going and keep giving back.”
Recognizing Emerging Leaders Across Agriculture
This year, Farm Credit Mid-America also recognized two additional finalists for their contributions to agriculture:
- 2nd Place — Fair Aquaponic Power LLC: Fair Aquaponic Power LLC is committed to advancing sustainable agriculture through modern aquaponic systems, soil stewardship and resilient irrigation practices. With experience in both hands-on farming and agricultural training, the organization focuses on equipping youth, veterans, Tribal communities, underserved farmers and people with disabilities with the tools and knowledge needed to build environmentally sound, disaster-resilient growing systems.
- 3rd Place — Nicole Gwishiri: Nicole Gwishiri is a longtime advocate for women and BIPOC farmers, currently serving as the Women for the Land Southeast Program Manager at American Farmland Trust. She leads peer-to-peer Learning Circles that build community, expand access to resources and strengthen support networks for historically underserved producers. With 15 years of experience — including work in Cooperative Extension and agricultural education — she connects farmers with land access, technical assistance and regional partners across Kentucky and the Southeast.
About the Community of Excellence Award
The Community of Excellence Award honors producers, agricultural professionals, volunteers and organizations that are actively solving challenges, building resources and strengthening their local agricultural landscape. The award is self-nominated and judged on community involvement, leadership experience and the applicant’s ability to implement solutions that build up agriculture within their community.
Made Possible Through Growing Forward®
The Community of Excellence Award is made possible through Growing Forward®, Farm Credit Mid-America’s award-winning program that provides young, beginning and small farmers with educational opportunities and financial management resources that support long-term success.
