University of Kentucky alum and Carter G. Woodson Academy agriculture teacher Jacob Ball was recently recognized with the national Milken Educator Award — honoring exceptional educators across the country for their innovation and excellence, including a $25,000 unrestricted cash prize.  

Often called the "Oscars of Teaching," the award empowers recipients, like Ball, to continue inspiring their students in pursuing teaching as a career.  

As a boy growing up on his family’s small farm in Culvertown, Kentucky, Ball's passion for agriculture began years before his teaching career. In high school, Ball enrolled in agriculture courses and participated in his local Future Farmers of America (FFA) club. He was also selected for the Governor’s Scholars Program, which opened scholarship opportunities and doors at in-state, public universities.  

"I knew that I had an interest in agriculture. After taking a few visits, I knew that UK was the place for me,” Ball said. “The opportunities offered along with how it felt like home made it an easy decision. I was 100% all in with attending UK and the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.”  

After earning his bachelor of science in agricultural education (‘11) from the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, and education specialist degree in administration (‘18) from the University of Kentucky, he pursued his two loves: agriculture and teaching.  

“The University of Kentucky has been one of the most important factors to my success in the classroom and my career,” Ball said. “When I graduated, I was prepared with the skills necessary to get me started in the classroom. I still use my experiences from UK to explain concepts to students. The network that I established at UK helped me build my contacts across the entire agriculture industry, which provides opportunities for my students outside of the classroom.”  

Ball currently teaches agriculture to 6th-12th graders at Carter G. Woodson Academy, which primarily serves young students of color, remaining committed to opening the world of agricultural careers to his students in the classroom.  

His curriculum includes a focus on minority contributions to agriculture. For instance, Ball’s students created an Agriculture Wall of Fame contributions of Hispanic and African-American farmers across the United States.  

Ball’s students are benefiting from his ambitious standards in the classroom. Six have received full scholarships to Historically Black Colleges and Universities in recent years and 100 percent of his students passed their end-of-year exams last year, compared to just over half the year before.  

Ball’s learning experiences for his students go beyond the classroom, working to start a Junior MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences) chapter in partnership with UK, and established the school’s FFA group.  

Ball believes that agriculture is the most important industry in our society. As people become more removed from the farm, agriculture teachers must innovate to find ways to connect and educate students about agriculture careers.  

“FFA and Junior MANRRS are leadership, professional development organizations that build career skills within students, while connecting and engaging them in agriculture,” Ball said. “These organizations directly connect students to careers in agriculture at a younger age and can set them on a path to enter this industry.”  

Furthermore, Ball added that these extracurriculars can help take his students’ agricultural education experience to another level and help them pursue careers in the industry. Mia Farrell, associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion at Martin-Gatton CAFE’s Office of Diversity, agrees.  

“Mr. Ball ensures that his students are exposed to a plethora of opportunities, specifically in Jr. MANRRS,” Farrel said. “Carter G. Woodson Academy’s Jr. MANRRS program is producing present and future leaders because of the commitment and dedication to young men of color. Mr. Ball continues to pour into these young men, ensuring they know what opportunities are available, whether they want to continue their education or go into the workforce once they graduate.”

The first Milken Educator Awards were presented by the Milken Family Foundation (MFF) in 1987. Ball is the second and final recipient in Kentucky this 2023-24 season, joining a growing group and network of professionals working to shape the future of education.  

“The Milken Award would not have come without the partnerships and opportunities for students that I have established over my career,” Ball said. “I love being involved at UK and serving on the Ag Alumni Association Board. I want to serve the University that gave me so much and set me on a path to be successful in agriculture education.” 

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