Mr. Farmer holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Emory and Henry College and he also did post graduate work at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Since 1975 he has been self employed first as an antiques dealer specializing in Southern furniture and folk art later concentrating on appraisals and consulting to collectors and institutions.

He became a licensed auctioneer in 1981 and a Virginia Real Estate Broker in 1987. He was the owner of Ken Farmer Realty and Auctions from 1987-1995 and the firm concentrated on public estate auctions and private treaty real estate brokerage. In 1995 Farmer formed Ken Farmer Auctions and Appraisals in order to focus on the auction sale of antiques and real estate. Sales are conducted from the gallery in Radford, Virginia and on the premises under tents or at rented facilities. The company has set several national records for selling both American and English antiques at auction.

Since 1995, Mr. Farmer has served as a guest appraiser in furniture, folk art, decorative arts, and musical instruments on the PBS television series Antiques Roadshow. He has also appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show as an appraiser. He lectures frequently about antiques, auctions and collecting for both public and private institutions throughout the United Sates. He is also a member of the Certified Auctioneer's Institute, the Virginia Auctioneer's Association, the Appraiser's Association of America and the National Auctioneer's Association. Ken also consults with collectors, museums and institutions regarding the appraisal, sale and purchase of antiques and fine art.