06/04/2026
CheyAnne Fant Receives Statewide Innovator Award
GLASGOW, Ky. — Barren County Schools Director of Nutrition Services CheyAnne Fant has been named the recipient of the 2026 Kentucky Farm and Food Champion Innovator Award, presented by The Food Connection at the University of Kentucky.
The Innovator Award recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to advancing Kentucky’s local food systems through creativity, leadership and innovative solutions.
Fant was recognized for her efforts to strengthen connections between local agriculture and school nutrition programs. Through partnerships with local farmers, producers, educators and community organizations, she has expanded opportunities for students to learn about agriculture while increasing access to locally sourced foods in Barren County Schools.
The award was presented during the Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit, where leaders from across the Commonwealth gathered to celebrate individuals and organizations making a positive impact on Kentucky’s food and farm systems.
Brandi Button Johnson, Western Kentucky Value Chain Coordinator at The Food Connection, praised Fant’s willingness to embrace new ideas and build partnerships that support both students and local producers.
“I have had the honor of working with CheyAnne through a couple of roles,” Johnson said. “When I came to her in 2023 with the idea to start procuring locally grown produce into their summer feeding program, CheyAnne was always open-minded and listened and trusted that the way it has always been done isn’t necessarily the way it always has to be. That, my friends, is the definition of an innovator.”
Johnson said Fant’s leadership has helped create lasting relationships between schools and Kentucky food producers while encouraging creative thinking and collaboration.
“Without her and others like her, many may never see the value in our own creative thought patterns and solutions,” Johnson said. “She has not only shared this encouragement and innovation with me, but has built it with her staff and the community of Kentucky food farmers I serve—relationships that sustain and nurture so many people and programs.”
Fant said the recognition reflects the work of many individuals and organizations committed to student nutrition and agricultural education.
“I am honored to receive this award,” Fant said. “This recognition reflects the support of our schools, community partners, local farmers and the Nutrition Services team. I’m grateful to be part of work that helps connect students to agriculture and provides them with healthy, locally sourced food.”
School officials said Fant’s efforts have helped strengthen ties between local agriculture and Barren County Schools while creating new opportunities for students to learn where their food comes from and the role agriculture plays in the local economy.
