Middle of Everywhere

Hoppy's Heartache

By Ariel Lavery,

Published May 29, 2025 at 11:02 AM CDT

Hoppy Henton is a Kentucky farmer working the land that’s been in his family for 9 generations. His talents and passion connect him in a lifelong relationship with the Kentucky Farm Bureau. In this episode, we learn about his 40-years-long struggle to eliminate the conservative policies in the Farm Bureau’s “secret policy book”. We also hear from key friends, family, and acquaintances of Hoppy’s— from the Fairness Campaign’s Chris Hartman, to former leaders in the Farm Bureau’s ranks — about this epic battle.

Presenting Middle of Everywhere

Ariel Lavery

Ariel grew up in and became disenchanted with suburbia early on. Since childhood, she yearned for rural farm life and has now made a chance landing in rural Murray, KY. She holds a BFA and MFA in Studio Art.“ I am driven to collect the stories and histories of rural folk, the people who , in some ways, have the most immediate connection to our history as a country. ” -Ariel

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Austin Carter

Austin Carter is a Murray State grad and has been involved with WKMS since he was in high school. Over the years he has been a producer for WKMS and has hosted several music shows, but now calls Morning Edition his home each weekday morning.

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