Mr. John Duvall was born and raised in Stamping Ground, Kentucky. He graduated from Scott County High School in 1999 before continuing his education at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), where he earned both an Associate of Science in Turfgrass Management and a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture and Landscaping in 2005.
In March 2006, Mr. Duvall began his career as a Horticulture Technician with the Department of Agriculture at EKU. In this role, he works closely with students, providing them with hands-on learning opportunities in horticulture, plant production, landscaping, and turfgrass management. When asked what the most rewarding aspect of his position is he said, “Watching the students grow and achieve their academic and career goals within the agriculture and green industries really is the best part of this job.”
Another highlight of Mr. Duvall’s work is the strong community support for EKU’s plant sales held throughout the year. With the help of students, he has established a high standard for producing and selling high-quality plants. These events have become something the community looks forward to and support valuable experiential learning opportunities for students.
In addition to his work at EKU, Mr. Duvall has served as a board member of the Madison County Farmers Market for the past six years. In this role, he represents EKU while supporting local agriculture and producers.
Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mr. Duvall is actively involved in Kentucky’s growing maple syrup industry. For the past three years, he has served as president and treasurer of the Kentucky Maple Syrup Association. He works to expand the maple syrup industry in Kentucky by sharing his experiences and highlighting the stories of dedicated maple producers across the state. His efforts include organizing educational workshops, hosting tapping demonstrations, and coordinating with researchers at the University of Kentucky Department of Forestry, Future Generations University in West Virginia, and the Proctor Maple Research Center in Vermont. Through these collaborations, he helps provide educational sessions at the annual Kentucky Maple School, supporting both new and experienced producers in developing their skills.
In his free time, Mr. Duvall enjoys playing guitar and remains actively involved in his church community, where he often shares his love of music through worship.
Through his work in education, agriculture, and community outreach, Mr. Duvall remains passionate about supporting students, strengthening local agriculture, and promoting the continued growth of Kentucky’s horticulture and maple syrup industries.