Ashley Kenny: Past Ambassador
Ashley Kenny – Junior Livestock Show of Spokane Ambassador 2015-2016
Born and raised in Elk, Washington, Ashley (Hanson) Kenny has been rooted in agriculture her entire life, crediting the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane for helping guide her path to where she is today.
Ashley grew up showing at the stock show, as well as a handful of other shows March - September. She primarily showed goats and lambs, occasionally you could find her at the end of the halter on a show calf or driving a pig at the county fair. Being a multi-specie showman made her well-rounded not just in terms of showmanship skills, but life skills as well.
“Junior Show was the place where I could practice professionalism in the show world,” Ashley said. “County fairs were fun, but Junior Show was much more than that. The competition was greater, the stakes higher and the opportunities to network and develop as a leader were bountiful.”
As a 4th generation agriculturist, she was pressed to be a voice for ag and help bridge the gap for consumers following graduation; however, she did not know what that would exactly look like.
“I went to school at Oklahoma State University, where I received a degree in Agricultural Communications,” she said. “My time as a Junior Show ambassador the year previous to attending school was a driving force in my degree choice. I freelanced after graduation in 2018 as a designer, writer and photographer.”
In 2020, she married her husband, Kevin, and moved back to Elk, Washington, where she has an active role on the family farm and raises her kids.
Ashley said, “My favorite title is mom now. I have two daughters, the oldest of whom is beyond excited to show goats and lambs. It’s crazy to believe that she’ll be in the ring in less than 7 years..
She uses her degree and freelance experience to help grow their beef operation as well.
When asked what advice she had for exhibitors coming to the 2024 show, she was quick to give her words of encouragement.
“Put in the work before haul-in day and certainly before show time. When you get to college and life beyond, you’ll find that front-loading your work really pays off. Work when no one is watching and soon everyone will be watching.”