<b>By TIM THORNBERRY<br>
Kentucky Correspondent</b></p><p>

FRANKFORT, Ky. — A few weeks ago, the Community Farm Alliance (CFA) had its 23rd annual conference with House Bill 484 high on attendees’ discussion lists.<br>
Their wish is well on its way to becoming reality, as the state’s House of Representatives unanimously passed the measure last week that would require state universities to purchase Kentucky-grown commodities if they are available and meet the institution’s quality and price standards.<br>
The legislation was introduced by a host of lawmakers from both sides of the aisle in an effort to bring together local farms and postsecondary institutions. A similar bill passed in 2006 that required state parks to purchase homegrown farm products.
That legislation’s primary sponsor, retired Rep. Adrian Arnold from Montgomery County, said diversification efforts for Kentucky farms are hitting needed markets.<br>
“I think it’s just wonderful that the House has passed HB 484 and that we were able to get HB 669 passed in the 2006 session. This bill helps our Kentucky farmers find markets for their local products not only in our state agencies but also in our postsecondary schools,” he said.<br>
“We’ve spent a lot of money on diversification efforts for our Kentucky farms and these bills help provide the markets needed for those diversified farmers. We’ve done a good job of diversifying, and now we are doing a good job creating the markets needed.”<br>
HB 484 cosponsor Rep. Charlie Hoffman (D) said the measure served as a major way to support farms after tobacco.<br>
“As we work to diversify Kentucky’s agriculture economy in the post-tobacco era, a major component of the transition is for our state to step forward and support our own farmers and agriculture community,” said Hoffman. “Our public colleges and universities are a major purchaser of goods and services. They’re automatically a great market for Kentucky Proud products.<br>
“And, through the university extension services, the schools are also a vital partner to the agriculture community, providing the infrastructure that’s teaching farmers what they need to be successful in the post-tobacco economy. The transition away from tobacco is uncharted territory for all of us.<br>
“As the process goes forward, we’re finding areas of opportunity that we hadn’t noticed before, and we’re committed to providing the tools our farmers need to make the transition,” he said. “House Bill 484 seeks to address one such opportunity.”<br>
In remarks prepared for a House committee meeting regarding the bill, John Sharpe, a farmer and former CFA president, said, “This bill is the perfect partner to HB 669 … and creates another building block toward creating a sustainable future for our Kentucky farmers and providing a local food economy for all Kentuckians.<br>
“CFA envisions what we call LIFE, which is a Local Innovative Food Economy, as the best future for Kentucky agriculture, where Kentuckians are purchasing and eating food that is grown right here in the commonwealth. With the passage of this bill, we add another step toward creating that local food economy.”<br>
Sharpe’s testimony added, “Passing this bill will mean that Kentuckians can not only find local food at their state parks and state agencies, but students, faculty and staff of our state universities can begin to indulge in local food as well.<br>
“This means access to fresh, healthy, local food for the universities, but also provides another key market for our local farmers to keep their farms profitable, helping them stay on their land and provide for their families.”<br>
Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer also applauded passage of the bill.<br>
“This bill will provide another market for Kentucky farmers to sell their Kentucky Proud products,” he said. “This will create economic activity in many rural Kentucky communities and help keep farmland in agriculture. I am grateful to the House for passing this bill.”<br>
The measure passed the House with a vote of 95-0 and now moves to the state Senate.