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| Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund observes its 10th anniversary |
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Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund. Four words that mean so much to so many here in Kentucky and beyond. Grounded in past actions and accomplishments as a result of the KADF, I have a deep appreciation for present opportunities and a sincere optimism for a vibrant future for Kentucky agriculture.
Through matching investments, the fund continues to provide incentives for farmers all across the Commonwealth. Whether funding new beginnings for those who no longer grow tobacco or developing new markets for our hard-working, farm families, the fund has been there. By enabling development of the next generation of agriculture leaders and providing “access to capital” with low interest loans through the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation the fund has positioned us for growth.
During the past 10 years, every county in Kentucky has been touched by the fund. The benefits may have been a result of any or all of the following: 4-H and FFA support from the fund, KADF financial support of the Kentucky Proud Program, environmental cost-share programs, farmland preservation initiatives, County Agricultural Development Fund supported programs, and statewide KADF supported programs.
We as farmers and agriculture leaders need to keep an open mind as we move into the next decade. The opportunities in agriculture are endless. Ten years ago, when the question was asked, “If we were to lose tobacco revenue in Kentucky, what should our focus be?”
One of the answers at the time was to enhance our beef cattle industry, and look where we are today. Kentucky is the No. 1 cattle-producing state east of the Mississippi River. The statewide investments in the beef cattle industry coupled with KADF county program investments on farms throughout Kentucky continue to be vital to one of our core agricultural enterprises.
As we look to the future, renewable energy ventures are being discussed with switchgrass, miscanthus, algae and even sorghum is being used to make ethanol. Research will continue to be a critical tool in advancing traditional agriculture as well as providing vital information on the production and use of energy-related crops.
Also, market development including local niche markets, regional and statewide opportunities for Kentucky grown, produced and/or processed crops, produce or livestock is vital to securing the future of our farms, both large and small. In addition, we must recognize the importance of marketing Kentucky beyond our state and national borders. The world market is ever growing, and I am confident we will do our very best to ensure that Kentucky agriculture plays a vital role in expanding and supplying these new markets.
I believe we have two resources in Kentucky which gives us a competitive advantage - our people and our land. While it is important to cultivate our most valuable resource, our youth, through leadership development programs, it is also imperative we nurture, protect and conserve our second most valuable resource, the soil.
I am convinced that our farmers and agricultural leaders are passionate, hard-working people who care deeply about agriculture and they will continue to make all Kentuckians proud of Kentucky agriculture and the foundation it provides for our overall economy.
As Gov. Steve Beshear has said many times, “Farming has long been a cornerstone of Kentucky’s economy and will continue to be, but it takes all of us working together to move our agricultural industry into the 21st Century.”
It is the responsibility of each of us to acknowledge how important the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund has been to our recent advances and to understand how critical it is to our continued success as we move into the future.
Roger Thomas, Executive Director
Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy |
| 4/28/2010 |
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