Kentucky Horticulture Council Welcomes Trevor Terry as Executive Director
December 10, 2024 The Kentucky Horticulture Council (KHC), a nonprofit organization with a mission to elevate and advance horticulture in the Commonwealth, made Trevor Terry their new Executive Director on December 2, 2024. With an extensive background in local vegetable production and international economic policy, Terry is in a great position to lead Kentucky’s horticultural community.
“We are thrilled to have Trevor join us as Executive Director,” said Jeremy Hinton, president of the KHC. “His experience and passion for horticulture make him the ideal leader to guide our efforts in strengthening the industry and supporting growers across the state.”
With a decade of experience in the industry, Terry has worked various roles both at home and abroad. Most recently, he served as Economic Policy Officer at the Netherlands Consulate General in Chicago. In this position, he focused on the greenhouse sector, fostering partnerships between Dutch and Kentucky-based organizations. Between 2017 and 2022, Terry helped Kentucky’s vegetable production area under glass or protection grow from 1.4 million to 3.8 million square feet – an 832% increase. This significant growth positions Kentucky as the second largest state in CEA.
As Economic Policy Officer, Terry represented the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kentucky while also showcasing Kentucky’s horticultural strengths abroad. “This unique partnership has elevated Kentucky’s horticulture community on an international level,” he said. “Together with the KY-NL Consortium partners, we’ve created opportunities that benefit both the Netherlands and the Commonwealth for years to come.”
Prior to his government work, Terry served as Chief Marketing Communications Officer at Kentucky Fresh Harvest (KFH), a greenhouse tomato operation in Lincoln County. As the first employee of the organization, he embraced a diverse set of responsibilities – from spearheading brand marketing campaigns to developing yield model predictions – while helping to establish the business in the Commonwealth. He says that working directly with the grower to solve complex problems gave him a deep appreciation for the art and science of horticulture, laying a strong foundation in business principles and respect for the trade.
“Trevor’s one of those guys who actually enjoys the process of problem solving and learning new things,” said Chief Operating Officer at KFH, Shubin Saha, Ph.D. “I know he’ll approach the other industry segments with the same curiosity and empathy he brought to our team.”
Terry is excited to leverage his experience in this new role as the organization’s previous executive director, Cindy Finneseth, Ph.D., transitions to a faculty position at the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment.
“Cindy has done an incredible job building the council into the thriving organization it is today,” said Terry. “I have big shoes to fill, but with the support of our talented staff, board of directors, and our ecosytem partners, I am ready to take on the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
Dr. Finneseth took on the role of Executive Director six years ago, and under her leadership, the organization has secured more than $15 million in grant funding to support the horticultural community with resources for market development, production literacy, and food safety.
“Trevor is the perfect fit for the job,” said Dr. Finneseth. “Trevor is bright, passionate, and ready to lead KHC into the future.” For her part, she will now lead extension efforts in Community Horticulture at the University of Kentucky.
Terry also expressed his optimism about the future of Kentucky horticulture. “I feel a deep sense of purpose stepping into this role. Together we’ll honor Cindy’s incredible legacy by elevating Kentucky horticulture to new heights.”
Under Terry’s leadership, KHC aims to continue driving innovation and collaboration throughout the horticulture sector, building capacity and providing meaningful support to growers across the Commonwealth.
About KHC
The KHC is an allied group of 12 member organizations representing different segments of Kentucky’s horticulture industry. It’s a 501(c) non profit organization supported by grants and the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund (KADF).
The KADF was developed as part of the 1998 Master Tobacco Settlement between cigarette manufacturers and 46 states, including Kentucky. The fund is directed by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board (KADB) and administered by the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy (KOAP).
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with Kentucky’s vibrant horticulture community at the 2025 Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Conference from January 6 to 7 in Lexington. Click here for more information and to register.