Billy Ray Smith remembered for lifetime of service to Kentucky agriculture
Honored by co-ops as 2013 Distinguished Rural Kentuckian
Former Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Billy Ray Smith, a farmer, businessman, public servant and advocate for rural Kentucky whose work helped shape modern Kentucky agriculture, died October 10, 2026, in Bowling Green. He was 82. Smith served 14 years in the Kentucky House of Representatives, two terms as Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture from 1996 to 2004, and later as executive director of the Kentucky FFA Foundation. In 2013, Kentucky Electric Cooperatives recognized Smith as a Distinguished Rural Kentuckian, the highest honor bestowed by the association.
The Distinguished Rural Kentuckian award recognizes individuals whose lifetime contributions have enhanced the quality of life in rural Kentucky. Previous recipients have included authors, educators, elected officials, business leaders and other influential Kentuckians whose work reflects the cooperative mission of serving rural communities.
“Billy Ray Smith spent a lifetime advocating for the people, industries and communities that define rural Kentucky,” said Joe Arnold, Kentucky Electric Cooperatives Vice-President. “His leadership helped strengthen Kentucky agriculture during a period of tremendous change, but his greatest legacy may be the opportunities he created for those who followed. For everyone who continues the work of supporting agriculture, rural communities and the quality of life they represent, Billy Ray’s example remains both a guide and an inspiration.”
When Smith accepted the honor at the 67th Annual Meeting of Kentucky Electric Cooperatives in 2013, he expressed surprise at being mentioned alongside past recipients such as Jesse Stuart, Wendell Ford, Cawood Ledford, Thomas Clark and W.T. Young. Calling the recognition “quite an honor,” Smith credited friends, colleagues and supporters for the accomplishments celebrated that evening.
“I feel like a small pea in a big pot,” Smith told the audience. “To be considered even for a recognition and award like this is almost a pipe dream.”
Born into a farming family in Warren County, Smith spent much of his life connected to agriculture. In addition to farming, he managed a grain elevator and livestock feed products business for three decades. His public service career began in the Kentucky General Assembly, where he represented Warren and Simpson counties for 14 years before being elected commissioner of agriculture, a post he held until leaving office in 2004, the culmination of 22 years in public service.
Agricultural leaders often pointed to Smith’s ability to earn the trust of Kentucky farmers, as one of their own. That reputation would follow him throughout his years in elected office, agricultural development and agricultural education.
Smith frequently described public service as one of the most rewarding experiences of his life. During his Distinguished Rural Kentuckian acceptance remarks, he reflected on seeing progress made in Kentucky agriculture and helping secure the Agricultural Development Fund that would support future generations of farmers.
One achievement stood above all others in his own telling. Smith often spoke about Kentucky’s decision to dedicate a significant portion of tobacco settlement funds to agricultural development and diversification. During his 2013 remarks, he proudly noted that Kentucky was directing 50% of its Master Settlement Agreement funds toward the future development, advancement and promotion of agriculture and agricultural products. He said those investments were changing the landscape of Kentucky agriculture by helping producers diversify beyond tobacco and invest in new opportunities.
“Folks, you just cannot imagine or realize what the future of that is doing in Kentucky and changing the landscape,” Smith said.
The impact of those efforts was recognized when the statewide electric cooperative association honored Smith in 2013. The award presentation highlighted his role in helping secure agricultural development funding, as well as a career that included service as commissioner of agriculture, state representative, Kentucky FFA Foundation leader and agribusiness executive.
Current Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell described Smith as “a farmer’s Commissioner” whose focus was serving Kentucky farmers rather than pursuing political recognition.
Education also remained a central part of Smith’s legacy. After leaving statewide office, he became executive director of the Kentucky FFA Foundation, where he helped expand support for agricultural education and leadership development. Friends and colleagues remembered him as a tireless advocate for young people entering agriculture and someone who never stopped encouraging others.
Smith was also a familiar figure to readers of Kentucky Living. Over the years, the magazine featured his efforts to improve farm safety, promote Kentucky-grown products, strengthen agricultural markets and support Kentucky’s agricultural economy. His work touched nearly every part of rural life, from farm families and agribusinesses to students and community leaders.
Perhaps most fittingly, Smith used his Distinguished Rural Kentuckian acceptance speech not to celebrate himself but to praise Kentucky’s electric cooperatives.
“I know of no other organization that I worked with in Frankfort that was more effective, more committed, more dedicated to the advancement of rural Kentucky,” Smith said. He praised co-ops not only for rural electrification, but for their commitment to improving the overall quality of life in rural communities.
“It has been a pleasure and a privilege to be associated with it and work with it for many, many years.”
That commitment to improving opportunities for rural Kentuckians, strengthening agriculture and investing in future generations remains a defining part of the legacy of Billy Ray Smith, Kentucky’s 2013 Distinguished Rural Kentuckian.
