🌾 Our Story

Ballew Farms has always been about more than production — it’s about stewardship, family, and community. Our land in Madison County has been farmed for generations, and I grew up learning that stewarding land is both a blessing and a profound responsibility. I watched my dad and uncles make decisions with the long view in mind — not just what would work this season, but what would protect and improve the soil for years to come. Farming wasn’t something we clocked into at the end of the day. — it shaped how we think, how we plan, and how we care for the land.

Over time, though, we began to notice a widening gap.

Agriculture today looks very different than it did even twenty years ago. Land prices continue to rise, equipment and input costs are higher than ever, regulations are more complex, and markets shift quickly. Many beginning farmers — especially first-generation, small-scale, women, and veteran farmers — are stepping into this environment without inherited land, without generational mentorship, and without the built-in support systems that farm families often rely on.

We’ve met so many hardworking, capable people who genuinely want to farm — people who feel called to steward land and feed their communities. What they’re missing isn’t commitment. It’s access. Access to land. Access to guidance. Access to a framework that helps them make smart decisions from the beginning.

That’s where ACES was born.

ACES (Agricultural Community & Education Services) grew out of real, practical conversations with aspiring farmers who didn’t need motivation — they needed structure. They needed shared land access. They needed help understanding enterprise budgets, crop planning, compliance, and how to build something sustainable. Most of all, they needed community — a place where they didn’t have to figure it out alone.

Dad and I realized that what was once passed down informally in farm families now has to be built intentionally. 

 

🌱 The Mission

At Ballew Farms (ACES), we simply want to help farmers — whether they’re just getting started or growing — learn what they need to grow good food for themselves. We believe every farmer deserves a fair shot at building a farm that works, caring for the land responsibly, and feeding their community for years to come.

The mission of Ballew Farms ACES is to mentor and support farmers across Eastern Kentucky by sharing practical, real-world knowledge, building strong relationships, and creating access to shared resources. Through hands-on training and one-on-one mentorship, we help farmers build sustainable, profitable operations while strengthening local food systems and increasing access to fresh, locally grown food.

 

ACES exists to lower barriers and build pathways.

We are working to:

• Increase access to land for beginning farmers
• Provide real-world agribusiness education
• Strengthen soil health and sustainable practices
• Build cooperative infrastructure
• Create peer networks that last beyond one growing season

This is about economic opportunity.
This is about food security.
This is about keeping farmland in production and farmers in business.

 

🌻 The Program: What ACES Looks Like in 2026

In 2026, ACES will operate as a structured farmer mentorship and cooperative development program.

Participants commit to 5–10 hours per week beginning in late March. The program includes:

🌍 Building Community Impact

This isn’t just about individual farms.

ACES is strengthening:

🥕 Local Food Access

When small farms succeed, more fresh food stays in our county. ACES helps farmers scale responsibly so local families, schools, and markets have consistent access to Kentucky-grown produce.

🌾 Small-Scale Farm Viability

Small farms often operate on thin margins and limited infrastructure. ACES lowers risk through shared resources, business planning, and cooperative support that improves long-term sustainability.

🌱 Beginning Farmer Retention

Many beginning farmers leave agriculture within five years due to isolation and overwhelm. ACES builds mentorship and peer networks so farmers feel equipped, connected, and supported to stay.

🏘 Rural Economic Resilience

Viable farms strengthen rural economies by keeping land productive and dollars circulating locally. When farmers succeed, suppliers, markets, and communities benefit.

🤝 Cross-Cultural Agricultural Collaboration

ACES intentionally creates space for farmers from diverse backgrounds to learn and grow together. Stronger collaboration builds a more adaptable and inclusive agricultural community.

 

📰 Rooted in Community

Angel Ballew was honored to be featured in Dirt Pearls, a powerful photo series by Erica Chambers that highlights women farmers, their stories, their connection to growing with the land. The series celebrates the resilience, heart, and stewardship behind agriculture — values that shape everything we do at Ballew Farms.

Ballew Farms is proud to be an active member of the Organic Association of Kentucky, Kentucky Women in Agriculture, and the Farmer Veteran Coalition — organizations that strengthen farmers through advocacy, education, and community.

We are also certified and recognized by Kentucky Proud, Homegrown By Heroes, and Appalachia Proud, reflecting our commitment to local food systems, veteran farmers, and regional agricultural pride.