As the sun rises over the Ohio River, it reveals a simple truth: even the smallest places can hold the deepest hearts. For Carrie Taylor, that heart beats in Maysville, Kentucky.
Originally from Massachusetts, Carrie, 60, has made the Maysville area not just her home, but her calling. As an associate professor and adult agriculture instructor at Maysville Community and Technical College, her classroom extends far beyond campus. She spends her days moving through the counties she serves, mentoring students, advising farmers, and connecting education with everyday life on the land. A self-described horticulturist, entomologist, agriculturist, florist and more, her work spans the vast skillset needed to run a farm in rural Kentucky.
Her impact includes Lighthouse Farm, where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities find purpose and independence through agricultural training. “It’s one of the most meaningful things that I get to do,” Carrie said, a reflection of how her work blends compassion with real-world impact.
“I can just call Carrie and say, stuff is dying; come help us,” said Lonna Bussell, director of Lighthouse Farms.
When Carrie first arrived in Maysville, she didn’t know anyone. But she describes herself as “an airport person,” someone who starts conversations with strangers. That openness helped her build a network of deep, lasting friendships in Maysville and cross the river in Manchester, Ohio, where she lives.
Her days are filled with visiting farms, advising students and nurturing sustainable change across the community. Evenings bring her back home, where she finds peace in cooking and spending time with her family.
Through it all, Carrie hasn’t just built a life in Maysville, she has become part of its heartbeat: a teacher, mentor and friend whose care continues to grow across generations and fields alike.
