11/15/2025
Well said Judge/Executive James Kay!!!
🎉 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WOODFORD COUNTY! 🎂
Today we celebrate the "greatest County in all the universe" thanks to our extraordinary citizens!
We are the heart of the Bluegrass, the heart of Horse Country, the Birthplace of Bourbon, the Education County, Farm County and so much more...
🐎 The Thoroughbred Empire & Agricultural Zenith
The secret to Woodford County lies beneath our beautiful, rolling hills in the deep limestone deposits that enrich the grass and filter the water. This geological advantage has made the county a world-class center for specialized agriculture and the global equine industry.
Woodford County encompasses over 123,000 acres of the world's finest agricultural land. This distinction allows us to boast the largest total farm income in Kentucky, driven largely by the horse industry and world-class cattle operations. A former to***co powerhouse, we are now a growing cattle county with the University of Kentucky Ag Research Farm and coming soon the headquarters of the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association.
Woodford County is home to an estimated 11,900 horses on 640 equine operations, with the total value of equine and related assets topping $1 billion. The excellence of Woodford County’s breeding programs is proven at the highest level: it is the birthplace and home of two modern-day Triple Crown Winners, American Pharoah (2015) and Justify (2018), who both stand at stud right here at Coolmore Ashford Stud on the iconic US 60 Highway. We also boast a new Standardbred Training Facility at Highbramble Park.
🏰 The Castle(s), The Spirit, & The Kentucky River
Woodford County’s Bourbon heritage is defined by integrity and innovation.
Castle & Key Distillery, Woodford Reserve, Bluegrass Distillers, Glenns Creek Distilling and more. Historic Castle & Key Distillery (formerly Old Taylor Distillery) in Millville was founded in 1887 by Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr., who built the complex to rival the grandeur of European castles. Colonel Taylor’s vision led to the passage of the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, securing federal standards for quality across the American whiskey industry.
We also boast great wineries like Equus Run, Wildside Winery, and Castle Hill 🍷Oh and we have the Castle! The only Kentucky county with two castles. 🏰🏰
The pioneers of Kentucky bourbon, James Crowe, Elijah Craig and Oscar Pepper all have connections to Woodford County. The Distilleries draw from the pristine water filtered by the local limestone starting at the Big Spring "Falling Springs" in downtown Versailles our amazing County seat. 🥃
Our natural beauty is highlighted by the land and water. The beautiful Kentucky River forms the county's western boundary, the Elkhorn to the north along with Glenn's Creek, Clear Creek, Craig's Creek and many other scenic waterways. 🏞
🎶 Homegrown Talent & Community Strength
Woodford County’s strength is in its people—from award-winning musicians to dedicated civic servants.
The county claims traditional country star John Conlee and contemporary favorite Sturgill Simpson (aka Johnny Blue Skies originated from a nickname given to him by a local bartender when he was a young man in Kentucky). We also celebrate his drummer, Miles Miller, who honed his craft in the Woodford County High School Band. Governors Happy Chandler, Brereton Jones, Martha Layne Collins, U.S Senator John J. Crittenden, and many other notable Kentuckians made their home or hailed from here.
We also have the best first responders, many great employers like Lakeshore Learning. Ruggles Sign Company, More Than a Bakery, NSG, Visumatic, Sheridan and many more great employers providing jobs and opportunities. Not to mention, all our local, family owned, small businesses. And we still have a local newspaper, the oldest continuing business in Woodford County, The Woodford Sun.
📚 World-Class Education
The county's commitment to learning prepares our young minds for success across the world.
Woodford County Public Schools is the best! We rank #1 for Districts with the Best Teachers in central Kentucky, reflecting a deep dedication to quality instruction. We celebrate Simmons, Huntertown, Northside, Southside, WCMS, WCHS, St. Leo, Woodford Christian, Versailles Montessori, and many great home school programs.
Midway University is a unique gem, academic treasure and world-class higher education institution, providing career-focused degrees in healthcare, business, and education. We are also home to another world-class, premier education institution Frontier Nursing University (FNU) which has been in continuous operation since 1939, graduating advanced practice nurses and nurse-midwives who serve communities across the nation.
We are also home to Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS) providing accessible, career-focused learning for our regional workforce. We have the most high school diplomas, college degrees and advanced degrees per capita. We are the education County!
We have many churches some of the best and oldest churches in Kentucky with rich history and thriving congregations. St. Leo, Pisgah, Versailles, Glenn's Creek and Midway Baptist, Journey, St. Paul AME, First Christian, St. John's, First Baptist and many more.
Midway and Versailles offer the best places to eat, shop and more. We are a great place to visit with so much to do and a southern hospitality and charm.
Most importantly, we are a small, rural community united in purpose and always lending a hand and helping those in need. It's not the bourbon or horses that make us great, it's our people. At our heart, we are a family and working on being the best place to raise a family. We are one Woodford County, one high school, one heart beat.
Midway, Versailles, Pisgah, Mortonsville, Nonesuch, Little Germany, Millville, Jacksontown, Pinkcard, Mundy's Landing, Russelltown, the County Park, Huntertown, and every place in between.
The true magic of Woodford County lies in our outstanding people who make us the most special place anywhere! Happy Birthday Woodford County 🎂🎉
