Meet Leslie Tucker

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Leslie Tucker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Leslie below.

Hi Leslie, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I found my purpose by reflecting on a lifelong, quiet calling toward philanthropy—a deep desire to give back and make a meaningful difference—even though I didn’t fully recognize it until recent years. My personal and professional journey has been filled with complexities and moments of uncertainty, yet throughout it all, I felt a persistent pull to be more…whether that meant in my personal life, as a friend, or in my career, I wasn’t quite sure of…I just knew there was this yearning inside of me to keep reaching. Looking back, I realize that this purpose only became clear through years of learning, growth, and navigating challenges. Now, everything has come together in a way that feels deeply meaningful and authentic. I’ve never felt more passionate or aligned with where I am and where I’m meant to be than I do today.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My educational background is in Tourism and Event Management, a path I pursued while working full-time at Jim Beam, following in my parents’ footsteps in the bourbon industry. It was during those years of my twenties that I also dedicated any spare time to volunteering and leading community outreach, requirements for school, but only served to deepen my love for connecting people and creating meaningful experiences.

I was introduced to the farming lifestyle until after marrying my husband, who grew up on his family’s generational farm. As our family grew, we embraced the joys and challenges of rural life. But when the farm faced an unexpected change in ownership, we realized the urgent need to diversify income to sustain it. Agritourism felt like a natural fit—blending my passion for tourism with our agricultural roots—however, finding clear guidance proved surprisingly difficult.
Despite reaching out to the local USDA, FSA, extension offices, the state Agriculture Commissioner, and even learning from our ag lender that agritourism wouldn’t qualify as “viable farming income” for an operating loan, I quickly discovered how scarce reliable resources and support truly were. Navigating unclear or nonexistent regulations made it extremely challenging to develop a clear, efficient plan. While I was determined to prove agritourism was possible, I knew many others in my position might have given up long ago. Recognizing the stakes—essentially conserving our farmlands—I saw an urgent need for proactive support to help farmers develop agritourism as a sustainable and viable source of additional income.

That’s when I decided to start a nonprofit. The Kentucky Agritourism Association was founded to empower Kentucky’s rural entrepreneurs through education, resources, and community—creating new opportunities to diversify farm income through tourism. As a charitable organization, we now have access to opportunities and programs that weren’t available before, helping us advance our mission.

We promote all sustainable forms of agritourism and educate our members on how to implement these practices—from heritage tours and pick-your-own events to farm-to-table dinners and bourbon collaborations. Currently, we’re developing exciting projects that blend arts, history, education, and culinary experiences. A key partnership with the University of Kentucky’s Center for Crop Diversification is underway to create an agritourism-focused curriculum, equipping members with up-to-date policies, regulations, and legal guidance to run successful businesses.

Additionally, we are collaborating with a nonprofit arts organization to revive the use of barns as business advertising spaces. This innovative partnership benefits farmers, partnering businesses, and the economic growth of our rural communities by promoting these efforts through a scenic driving tour. It’s a true win-win that highlights the power of tourism to support and celebrate Kentucky’s agricultural heritage. Looking ahead, we plan to host a statewide agritourism conference to share best practices, spark innovation, and build lasting partnerships among the industry.

This is truly an exciting time to be involved in agritourism, and I couldn’t be prouder to serve in this role.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Perseverance has been, without a doubt, the most valuable skill I’ve learned to hone. It’s been essential in navigating the challenges and uncertainties of blending two very different industries—agriculture and tourism—into a sustainable solution to preserve our farmlands. No matter the work, perseverance is vital; it’s what keeps us moving forward. Without it, everything else falls short. We must stay committed and adaptable, especially when advocating for something we truly believe in.

Curiosity is another quality that has served me well. It drives me to investigate, learn, and uncover truths—separating fact from fiction. This curiosity fuels creativity and helps me envision new possibilities. There are always ways to make things work; we just have to be willing to keep pushing for them to come to light. And that, of course, ties back to perseverance.

Lastly, learning to collaborate effectively and build meaningful relationships is a crucial leadership skill—one that hasn’t come easily for me. In the nonprofit sector, creating connections, fostering open discussions, and supporting others on their journeys is at the heart of everything I do. I think I just grew up being a natural people-pleaser, so I’ve had to be intentional with my limited time (now) to understand how to navigate the complexities involved in forming business relationships, among a very diverse group of level executives and business owners.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

As a newly incorporated nonprofit, our number one challenge right now is fundraising. The uncertainties surrounding USDA government funding and the current market conditions make it difficult to secure the operational support we need to grow. Early-stage funding is critical for us to expand and bring our creative, groundbreaking projects to life—projects that have the potential to open new doors for rural businesses across Kentucky. However, the unpredictability of government grants means we can’t always count on those resources being available when we need them.

To navigate this, we’re focusing on building strong collaborations on a regional basis, with a clear goal to establish meaningful relationships throughout the state within the next six months. It’s an ambitious target, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned about our team, it’s that we thrive when faced with adversity. We see this challenge not just as an obstacle, but as an opportunity—one that we’re passionate about and determined to bring to the forefront of agricultural innovation and rural development in Kentucky.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.explorekyag.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explorekyag/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kyagritourism
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslietuckerkaa/