Agriculture has been part of Kurt Mason’s life for as long as he can remember. Growing up on a farm shaped how he sees land, community, and the people who make our food system work. Today, Kurt continues that connection as a board member with Community Farm Alliance (CFA) and as the owner of a farm in Georgetown, Kentucky.
Kurt’s Role in the Food and Farm System
Kurt grew up on a farm where his family raised beef cattle and tobacco and worked closely with organizations like the Farm Service Agency and Cooperative Extension. His farmland is in Scott County, and while it is still a working hay and cattle farm, Kurt lives in Louisville and can’t be involved hands-on as much as he likes. While he’s not able to farm the land day-to-day, he still sees himself as part of the broader food system by making sure the land stays in agricultural use.
“I’m one of those folks that helps provide land that’s accessible for farming and for the production of food and fiber.”
Right now, that means making sure the land continues to support agriculture and the farmers who rely on it. Instead of letting the land sit idle, Kurt made the decision to lease the farm to a younger farmer—giving someone else the opportunity to stay engaged in agriculture while keeping the land in production. For Kurt, it’s one way to help keep farming going for the next generation.
“I try to help younger people understand the opportunities and challenges they’re going to face in agriculture.”
Kurt was first introduced to Community Farm Alliance through his parents, who engaged with CFA while helping develop a farmers’ market in Scott County. Through those conversations, he started to learn more about the organization and its work supporting farmers and rural communities.
The Impact
Through his involvement with CFA, Kurt says his perspective on agriculture has grown and evolved.
“The face of farming is changing. CFA helps people engage in something they truly love, even if they didn’t always have the avenues to do it.”
CFA helps farmers—especially smaller farmers—connect with resources, opportunities, and one another. As a CFA board member, Kurt sees part of his role as helping guide the organization and make sure it continues to serve farmers well. He’s seen firsthand how many agricultural programs historically benefited larger farms, while smaller farmers—especially those working other jobs—often missed out on opportunities.
“CFA gives farmers a voice—especially the smaller farmers who traditionally didn’t have one.”
That kind of advocacy and connection is something he believes is deeply important.
What Kurt Wants Others to Know
For Kurt, agriculture is about relationships just as much as it is about land.
“So much of the success in agriculture comes down to how well you’re connected to the resources around you—and CFA does an excellent job bringing people and opportunities together.”
And that’s exactly what keeps him involved—helping make sure farmers across Kentucky have the support, connections, and voice they deserve.