Board Chair and Executive Director

Leslie grew up in Lebanon Junction, Kentucky, deeply connected to her family’s railroad heritage and the stories shared by her grandfather, a former L&N railroad engineer with Cherokee roots. These early experiences sparked her love for storytelling, history, and community, shaping her lifelong commitment to preserving Kentucky’s rural heritage.

After spending a decade in the bourbon industry, Leslie pursued studies in Travel, Tourism, and Event Management, balancing full-time work with academic excellence—earning Dean’s List honors throughout her studies. Her passion for community was evident early on through extensive volunteer work and leading fundraising efforts to support friends and neighbors in need.

Leslie later married Isaac, a third-generation farmer, and moved to Bardstown to live on the family farm he grew up on and now owns. As their family grew, they faced unexpected challenges in generational farm ownership, prompting them to rethink how to manage the land to ensure its survival. With her background and passion for tourism, Leslie immediately saw an opportunity to combine the two as a viable source of income. However, the challenges she encountered revealed a critical need for more resources and community support to successfully bridge these fields.

Motivated by this, Leslie began taking agriculture management courses online and attending workshops nationwide focused on sustainable agriculture. She earned management certifications in Agribusiness Fundamentals and Non-Profit Leadership, all while determined to help their farm thrive as a profitable business. The Tuckers soon had their farm, Harvest and Oak Heritage Farm, listed as a Kentucky Historic Farm through the Kentucky Heritage Council and expanded their beef operations to include a successful premium Wagyu/Angus meat retail business.

Alongside launching their value-added farm business, Leslie also co-founded the Kentucky Agritourism Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping Kentucky farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs diversify income through sustainable tourism, as a tool to further conserve farmland, save family farms, and strengthen the rural Kentucky communities in which they reside.

Today, Leslie serves as Board Chair and Executive Director of the KAA, combining her tourism background, deep agricultural roots, and commitment to community development. Through education, marketing, and partnerships, she leads efforts to preserve farmland and promote sustainable agritourism across rural Kentucky, ensuring the state’s farming legacy flourishes for generations to come.

A proud native of Bullitt County, Kentucky, Tami now calls Nelson County home, where she and her husband, Derek, lovingly nurture their small farmstead with a strong passion for sustainable agriculture.

As Board Treasurer and Finance Director at the Kentucky Agritourism Association, Tami brings a wealth of expertise to our team. As a business owner herself, she deeply understands the dedication and strategic planning required to grow and scale ventures. Her keen insights into funding opportunities, industry networking, and market growth are invaluable as we expand to meet the evolving needs of our organization.

Tami’s unique blend of agricultural knowledge and business acumen helps bridge the gap between farming and entrepreneurship, supporting local farms and agritourism initiatives throughout Kentucky.

When she’s not working, Tami embraces the outdoors—tending a large garden, camping with her family, and exploring new places through travel. She is also passionately committed to rescuing and rehabilitating abused and neglected animals, reflecting her compassionate spirit and love for all creatures.

Tami’s dedication to sustainable living, community, and animal welfare shines through in all she does, making her an essential and cherished member of the Kentucky Agritourism Association family.

Amanda serves as both Board Secretary and Marketing & Communications Director at the Kentucky Agritourism Association. Growing up in rural Nelson County, she developed a deep connection to the farming community, which shines through in her natural ability to build meaningful relationships and communicate with authenticity and empathy.

With over 8 years of experience driving brand growth through data-driven strategies and marketing campaigns, Amanda specializes in AI-powered marketing automation and consumer behavior analytics within the tourism industry. Her previous roles include Marketing and Sales Representative for Gould’s Discount Medical and Media Buyer for Klout.

Currently, Amanda works as a Special Needs Assistant for Bardstown City Schools, where her children, Connor and Hadley, also attend. This role provides her the flexibility to spend quality time with her family while allowing her to extend impactful outreach in her role as Communications Director at KAA.

In her spare time, you'll likely find Amanda at a local race tracks, where she'll be cheering on her partner, Chet, as he races Midgets.

Lee Sanders, a third-generation farmer from Lebanon Junction, Kentucky, brings a wealth of hands-on agricultural experience to his role as fellow Board Member and as our Agribusiness Field Director. A proud, Kentucky farmer himself at Sanders Farms in Bullitt County, he manages a diverse operation that includes raising honey bees, tending Angus cattle, selling and baling hay, and running a popular fall agritourism destination featuring a pumpkin patch and family-friendly activities. His deep connection to the land and active involvement in the farming community fuel his passion for farm conservation and sustainable practices.

In his role as Board Member and Agribusiness Field Director here at the Kentucky Agritourism Association, Lee leverages this rich background to support and guide Kentucky farmers in enhancing their operations and successfully incorporating agritourism. Drawing on his ongoing education in maintenance support and practical farming knowledge, Lee provides candid, practical advice to members on improving farm efficiency, conservation efforts, and visitor experiences. He leads workshops, offers personalized consultations, and shares best practices to help farms diversify income streams while preserving their agricultural heritage.

Lee’s unique blend of traditional farming expertise and agritourism leadership makes him an invaluable resource for our Members who are seeking to grow their businesses sustainably while connecting with the broader community.