LOUISVILLE, Ky. (August 13, 2026) – Kentucky Electric Cooperatives recognized longtime University of Kentucky agricultural leader Dr. Nancy Cox as its 2026 Distinguished Rural Kentuckian during the cooperative association’s 80th Annual Meeting in Louisville.
The Distinguished Rural Kentuckian is the highest honor bestowed by the association, which represents all 26 electric cooperatives across the commonwealth. The award recognizes outstanding individuals whose lifetime contributions to Kentucky reflect the cooperative mission of enhancing the quality of life and reputation of the communities they serve.
Cox received the award following a special video tribute tracing her journey from a rural childhood in South Carolina and an early love of horses to a career that helped transform agricultural research, education and Cooperative Extension in Kentucky. The video is available for viewing on the Kentucky Electric Cooperatives YouTube Channel.
Cox served for more than two decades at the University of Kentucky, including nearly 11 years as dean of what is now the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. She was the college’s first female dean and, in 2020, became UK’s first vice president for land-grant engagement.
“I cannot think of a higher honor. As someone who spent more than two decades representing Kentucky’s land-grant university, I believe you should love the state you serve, and I have truly come to love Kentucky,” Cox said. “I am especially grateful to the farmers, Extension agents, agricultural leaders and organizations across the Commonwealth who welcomed me and helped me understand Kentucky agriculture and rural communities. Kentucky’s electric cooperatives and our land-grant university have much in common — we both serve rural communities, believe in partnerships and are committed to providing fact-based information and improving people’s lives. To be recognized by Kentucky Electric Cooperatives as a Distinguished Rural Kentuckian is incredibly meaningful to me.”
Cox came to UK in 2001 as associate dean for research and helped lead the university’s response to Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome before becoming instrumental in the growth of UK Ag Equine Programs. Her later leadership included major investments in animal health and racetrack safety, Cooperative Extension, the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits, the Grain and Forage Center of Excellence, a nearly $66 million USDA forage-animal research facility and a $100 million gift from The Bill Gatton Foundation that helped launch a broader transformation of the college.
Cox is the 42nd Distinguished Rural Kentuckian. Since 1982, Kentucky’s electric cooperatives have honored recipients from agriculture, education, business, politics, journalism, religion, athletics and the arts.
During her acceptance remarks, Cox said Kentucky’s electric cooperatives and Cooperative Extension share a longstanding commitment to rural communities.
“Extension is the rural part of UK. It’s the rural part of our land-grant mission,” Cox said. “Our organization and yours — and Farm Bureau and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and others — we all must keep and extend and expand our commitment to rural Kentucky.”
