By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear hosted a farmers’ market at the state capitol last week to support locally owned farms by showcasing Kentucky grown products, as well as supporting the Kentucky Proud brand.

The event included the signing of House Bill 626 passed during this year’s General Assembly which makes the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s (KDA) Kentucky Proud marketing initiative the state’s permanent farm marketing program.

“Increasing gas prices and depleting natural resources are having a negative impact on farmers,” said Beshear. “Most produce travels an average of 1,500 miles from farm to plate. By buying fruits and vegetables grown in Kentucky, we not only support the farms that grow them but we also support our regional economy.”

Vendors from Franklin County and the surrounding area provided a variety of vegetables, fruits, meats, baked goods, flowers, honey, and many other specialty products for the market. It is estimated that the 120 farmers’ markets across the state produce approximately $7.5 million in revenue for more than 2,000 farmers.

Sponsors of HB 626 were also on hand to join with Gov. Steve Beshear and Ag Commissioner Richie Farmer in the signing of the legislation.

“I made Kentucky Proud one of my top priorities when I took office more than four years ago,” Farmer said. “Since then Kentucky Proud has grown from three dozen members to more than 1,100. This bill ensures producers and consumers that Kentucky Proud will always be the symbol for fresh, great-tasting Kentucky food products.”

The sponsors included primary sponsor of the bill Rep. Mike Denham (D-Maysville) along with cosponsors Rep. Tom McKee (D-Cynthiana) and Rep. Ruth Ann Palumbo (D-Lexington) as well as Rep. Charlie Hoffman (D-Georgetown) and Sen. Joey Pendleton (D-Hopkinsville) who were instrumental in the passage of the legislation.

“House Bill 626 will ensure that Kentucky producers, consumers, and the rural economy will benefit from the Kentucky Proud Program well into the future,” said Gov. Beshear. “It will give our citizens the assurance that purchasing food with the Kentucky Proud label means it’s a fresh, locally grown product.”

Denham said, “This bill will bring significant opportunities to Kentucky famers and allow the Department of Agriculture to market the Kentucky Proud brand with the expectation that its products will become widely accepted and nationally recognized.”

The bill also authorizes the agriculture commissioner to collect fees to fund the program, allows Kentucky Proud funds to be carried over from one fiscal year to the next, and establishes a 12-member council to advise the Kentucky Department of Agriculture on administering the program.

“This legislation will give our farmers, processors and retailers the confidence that Kentucky Proud will be in place for the long haul,” Farmer said. “It’s important that we provide our farmers every opportunity to succeed. House Bill 626 does that by assuring that they will always have the full clout of Kentucky Proud behind them.”
The marketing program got started in 2004 and has grown from just a few dozen members to more than 1,100 member farmers, retailers, processors, restaurants and farmers’ markets.