The Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Affiliated Companies’ main office at 2501 N. Stiles, Oklahoma City, will serve as a collection point for donations to those affected by the storms.   Critical items needed are bottled water, sports drinks, paper towels, disinfectant wipes, individually wrapped snack food, diapers, baby formula and work gloves.  Clothing does not appear to be needed at this time.  Beginning Wednesday, May 22, there will be a trailer on the west side of the building for donations that our staff will distribute to appropriate relief organizations.

This is not a one day or even a one week event.  The trailer will be available for as long as needed.

The family members of Oklahoma Farm Bureau respectfully request your prayers and compassion during this time of need for our fellow Oklahomans.

Source: Courtesy of Oklahoma Farm Bureau

Commissioner James Comer (left) pictured with new deputy state veterinarian, Dr. Bradley A. Keough, (right).

“Dr. Keough’s veterinary and management experience and his commitment to public service are unmatched,” said Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, who chairs the SBA. “We are honored to add him to our team at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.”

Immediately prior to his appointment as deputy state veterinarian, Dr. Keough served as president of Buffalo Trace Veterinary Services in Versailles. Before that, he served as a shelter veterinarian for the Franklin County Humane Society and as an associate veterinarian for the Animal Medical Center in Frankfort.

A major in the 445th Medical Detachment, Dr. Keough has completed three deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He has served in numerous countries in the Middle East and Africa as well as the Dominican Republic and Peru.

“I am excited to start this new chapter in my career and grateful to the State Board of Agriculture for this opportunity,” Dr. Keough said. “I hope to use my years of veterinary practice and military experience toward the advancement of agriculture and the professional and consistent management of the department.”

Dr. Keough was presented to the SBA by Kentucky State Veterinarian Robert C. Stout. Dr. Keough replaces Dr. Sue Billings, who retired from the department at the end of 2012 after nine years as deputy state veterinarian. Dr. Keough and his wife, Jacqueline, have two children, and they are expecting a third child in July.

The report forecasts a corn yield of 158 bushels per acre, implying a record crop of 14.14 billion bushels, up 3.36 billion bushels from 2012 when much of the nation was overtaken by severe drought. The current record corn crop was produced in 2009 at 13.09 billion bushels.

“We are currently experiencing the latest planting season in nearly three decades across the Corn Belt due to extensive snow, rain and cool weather,” said AFBF economist Todd Davis. “The May report reflects concerns due to heavy soil moisture. As of May 5, 12 percent of the U.S. corn crop was planted—only 8 percent in Iowa, 7 percent in Illinois and 8 percent in Indiana.”

The report projects that if this large crop is realized, corn stocks could increase to slightly more than 2 billion bushels, reducing forecast farm-level price to less than $5 per bushel. This is down from $6.90 per bushel for the 2012-13 marketing year.

Davis said export predictions are down from the February outlook conference and use projections may be overly generous.

“The U.S. will still have to compete in the export market this fall with Brazil, which will be producing its second corn crop of the year,” explained Davis. “USDA use projections might be optimistic moving forward. They are predicting a 925 million bushel increase in feed use and a 550 million bushel increase in exports from 2012-13.”

Like corn, the May WASDE report also forecasts a record year for the soybean crop, projecting 3.39 billion bushels, up 375 million bushels from 2012. Soybean stocks are expected to increase to 265 million bushels, up 140 million from 2012-13 marketing year, with the stocks-to-use ratio at 8.1 percent. The farm price for the crop is also down from the year before, from $14.30 per bushel in 2012-13 to $10.50 per bushel.

The U.S. soybean crop will also have to compete with the South American crop that will be harvested six months into the marketing year. Due to the counter-seasonal production cycle, the marketing window for U.S. soy exports can be fairly short.

Davis said ultimately the weather will be the deciding factor of the report’s predictions.

“All of this is still in the hands of Mother Nature. She will dictate the weather to allow for the amount of corn and soybeans that will be planted and the growing season weather,” Davis said. “The May WASDE is a good starting point for the projections but there is a long way to go before the uncertainty of 2013 production and stocks become resolved.”

Source: Courtesy of American Farm Bureau Federation

“Kentucky is the leading beef cattle state east of the Mississippi River,” Commissioner Comer said. “Nearly 40,000 Kentucky farmers raise beef cattle. Beef also is an important source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. As a beef producer myself, I appreciate the significance of beef in our everyday lives.”

Gov. Steve Beshear proclaimed May Beef Month in a ceremony in April in Frankfort. He was joined by Warren Beeler, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s director of agriculture policy.

Kentucky had more than 1 million head of beef cows as of Jan. 1, according to the Kentucky office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Kentucky producers took in nearly $669 million in farm cash receipts from the sale of cattle in 2012, the agricultural statistics service reported.

A 2007 University of Kentucky study found that the beef industry had a total direct, indirect, and induced economic impact of more than $1.8 billion.

Commissioner Comer is founder and owner of James Comer Jr. Farms, a 950-acre beef cattle, timber and hay farming operation in his native Monroe County. He also co-owns Comer Land & Cattle Co., a family farming operation, with his father and brother.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture helps producers find new markets for their cattle, conducts beef cattle shows, tracks market prices, and protects Kentucky’s herds from disease. To find out more about the Department’s services, go to www.kyagr.com.

Source: Provided by Kentucky Department of Agriculture

The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association serves as the voice of Kentucky’s beef farm families, provides information and education, and works to enhance producer profitability. For more information about the KCA, go to www.kycattle.org.

“I’m pleased to announce that farmers and ranchers can expect to begin receiving their payments beginning today, May 8,” said Garcia. “We appreciate the producers’ patience during the delay.  We’re working diligently to get these payments out as quickly as possible.”

On March 4, 2013, FSA began a temporary suspension of FSA program payments in order to assess the impact of sequestration and determine the least-disruptive process possible for carrying out required cuts. The Department will use the Secretary’s limited authority to transfer funds to avoid reducing these program payments.

Producers should be advised that program sign-up periods currently underway have the following enrollment deadlines: 2013 Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program – June 3^rd; 2011 SURE – June 7; and the 2013 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program – August 2^nd. Producers should contact their local Farm Service Agency office as soon as possible for appointments to enroll in these programs before the deadlines.

USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for the American people, even as USDA implements sequestration – the across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the Budget Control Act.  USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more than $828 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, common-sense budget reductions. These reductions have put USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that causes as little disruption as possible.

Source: Courtesy of USDA

Prevented planting acreage, or acreage that could not be planted because of wet field conditions

or other natural disaster, should be reported to FSA within 15 days of the final planting date of

the crop. This includes crops covered by crop insurance or the Non-insured Assistance Program

(NAP) and crops without insurance coverage. Producers should contact their local FSA office or

crop insurance agent to verify final planting dates for all crops since they vary among counties

and crop types.

For crop losses on crops covered by the Non-insured Assistance Program (NAP), producers must

contact their local FSA office within 15 days of the occurrence of the disaster or when losses

become apparent to file a Notice of Loss. Producers with crop insurance should contact their

local agent when losses occur and before destroying the crop.

To report prevented or failed acreage, producers must complete Form CCC-576, Notice of Loss

for interested crops. Reporting prevented or failed acreage to FSA will ensure compliance with

current farm programs, and possible eligibility for future disaster programs.

If a producer misses the reporting deadline for prevented planting, they may still report

prevented planting acreage as long as the disaster condition may be verified by a field visit

before it is abandoned or destroyed.

Contact your local FSA Service Center for additional information.

The following practices are available under continuous signup:

CP-8A Grass Waterways Non-easement; CP-9 Shallow Water Areas for Wildlife; CP-21 Filter Strips, CP-22 Riparian Buffers, CP-29 Marginal Pastureland and Wildlife Habitat Buffer, CP-23 Wetland Restoration; CP-33 Habitat Buffers for Upland Birds; and CP-38 State Acres for Wildlife, and CP-42 Pollinator Habitat.

Landowners enrolled in the CRP program receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to establish long-term, resource conserving covers on eligible farmland. Land that is not currently enrolled in CRP can be offered during sign-up if all eligibility requirements are met. Expiring CRP continuous contracts can be re-enrolled with an enrollment date of October 1, 2013.

The authority for this signup will end September 30, 2013.

For more information about the CRP Continuous Signup visit us online at www.fsa.usda.gov or contact your local FSA office.

Kelly Jackson, Christian County horticulture extension agent, plants a blackberry bush at the Hopkinsville community orchard.

Nate and Ellen Ragsdale, Challenge House ambassadors, were looking for a source of apples to make apple jelly. The Ragsdales use the jelly as part of their efforts to open doors and connect with other members of the Durrett Avenue neighborhood. Challenge House ambassadors are individuals who choose to live in low-income areas with the goal of sharing their faith with their neighbors and providing them with encouragement and life skills to improve themselves and their neighborhoods. There are several Challenge Houses in Hopkinsville.

“We are just trying to be examples of what we can do, if we just put our minds to it,” Nate Ragsdale said.

The neighborhood, located in Hopkinsville’s inner city, has very few places where residents can easily access fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Ragsdales contacted Kelly Jackson, horticulture agent with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, about a place to plant apple trees, and the idea for the community orchard was born.

“I hadn’t thought about that before, because people usually talk about vegetable gardens, and unless you have a tremendous workforce, it’s hard to do a vegetable garden,” Jackson said.  “So that idea stuck with me, and I said, ‘Let’s see what we can do.’”

Prior to meeting with the Ragsdales, Jackson was contacted by John Allen with Micah Mission Center in Hopkinsville. The center, a ministry of the Madisonville District of the United Methodist Church, had grant funding to start community gardens in town and agreed to fund the orchard project.

“I’m really hoping, as this community orchard and garden develops, neighborhood people will take more of an interest and will want to do their own raised-bed vegetable garden plot,” Allen said. “I hope that community gardening as an idea will catch on, and we can be part of more community gardens in the future.”

Jackson also contacted the city, and the Hopkinsville and Christian County Landbank Authority agreed to lease the Challenge House land on Broad Street, two blocks from the Ragsdale’s home, to start a the orchard. The Ragsdales are responsible for the orchard’s maintenance.

“I think a lot of community people are going to benefit from this, and not only from the fruit, but by developing relationships in the community,” said Don Ahart, Hopkinsville mayor pro-tem and city council member. “We’re looking forward to it.”

In April, Jackson and Ragsdale planted 20 apple trees and three pear trees in the orchard along with six raised beds of strawberries and several blackberry bushes. Jackson consulted UK fruit and vegetable specialist John Strang for disease-resistant, easy-to-manage varieties.  It will be a few years before the trees produce fruit, but community residents will be able to harvest the berries next year.

Jackson hopes this is the first of many community orchards in Christian County.

“That’s a big mission for extension. We need to be finding these locations, whether it’s vegetable gardens or orchards, and making food available to the public,” Jackson said. “I saw a video from England a while back, and they were putting gardens and apple trees in every nook and cranny they could find. Their motto was if you eat, you’re in. We wanted to adopt that motto too for the orchard, and anybody in the community that needs it, it’s here for you.”

Source: Press release courtesy of UK College of Agriculture

The 2012 drought greatly reduced Kentucky corn yields and left many producers wondering whether they have the protection they need in case of another disastrous season.

University of Kentucky College of Agriculture economist Cory Walters said producers can choose between two risk protection programs offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture–the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payment Program and the Average Crop Revenue Election.

ACRE was born out of the 2008 Farm Bill and is available to producers who grow corn, soybeans, wheat and many other crops.

Unlike the traditional DCP support programs that offer payments and marketing assistance loans if a price of a particular crop falls below a certain level, ACRE pays if crop revenue falls below a revenue guarantee. Revenue includes price and yield.

The revenue guarantees are based on a calculation that includes the average of U.S. cash prices from the previous two years and the average state yields for a crop in the past five years, minus the highest and lowest yielding years. As a result, revenue guarantees will change each year but by no more than 10 percent from one year to the next. Therefore, the higher the previous two years’ cash prices and the higher the state yields from the previous five years, the better chance a producer has to receive an ACRE payment.

While it was initially a five-year program, ACRE has been extended for the 2013-2014 marketing year. Producers enroll in the program by Farm Service Agency farm number, and the deadline to enroll is June 3. The DCP deadline is Aug. 3.

Walters suggested producers start filling out their paperwork for both programs but wait until closer to June 3 to decide which program may work best for their operation, as grain markets continue to fluctuate and concerns about planting delays exist due to a wet, cold spring.

“Chances of an ACRE payment are likely less than 30 percent and chances of a counter-cyclical payment are near zero,” Walters said. “As June 3 approaches, producers should closely watch the markets as grain prices should be their deciding factor.”

ACRE pays when actual state revenue falls below the state revenue guarantee. Assuming average state yields, the ACRE trigger price, or where payments start due to low prices for the 2013-2014 marketing year, is currently $4.77 a bushel for corn and $13.09 a bushel for soybeans. If state yields are higher, the trigger price will be lower.

Walters estimated that Kentucky corn producers who enrolled in ACRE for the 2012-2013 marketing year will receive a payment from the program this year as the past summer’s drought greatly reduced crop yields. He said the average payment from the program would be around $100 per acre. This is higher than the previous ACRE payment record of $95.32 for wheat in 2009. Final payment amounts will not be determined until the current marketing year ends Aug. 31.

ACRE does have payment limits, and Walters estimated those to be around $73,000 per producer.

Those who enroll in ACRE forgo any counter-cyclical program payments, forfeit 20 percent of direct payments and have loan rates reduced by 30 percent. Walters estimated that for most producers this would be less than 1 percent of their expected revenue.

Those wanting more information on the USDA risk protection programs should contact their local FSA office or visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=dccp&topic=landing.

KENA meetings occur every other month, and offer a social hour with cash bar and dinner where qualified speakers present topics of current interest in the areas of horse health, management, and business. While KENA welcomes every member of the Kentucky horse community, it targets specifically those who participate in breeding, reproductive services, instruction, training, board and showing.

“The KENA program fulfills the KHC mission of education and support of the horse industry by facilitating more knowledgeable horse business owners,” said Anna Zinkhon, President of the KHC Board. “In addition, the networking connects participants in the show and pleasure horse industry, so we speak with a unified voice on issues of importance.”

Sponsorships are available for the KHC, with a KENA focus. Your sponsorship will help cover some of the costs for the dinner meetings and helps the event remain affordable for everyone. Your business will be recognized for its support of the KENA program.

The next KENA meeting will be held on May 9, 2013 at the Four Points by Sheraton in Lexington Kentucky. Registration will begin at 5:30PM, and the guest speakers will be presenting on Senior Horse Care. Reservations are required for KENA meetings because of the need to plan for the number of dinners prepared. Membership in the Kentucky Horse Council will help defray costs for the dinner ($5.00 discount).

Source: Press release courtesy of Kentucky Horse Council

The report, recently released by the Department of Forestry in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, states that direct revenue resulted in $6.4 billion with an additional $3.6 billion in indirect and induced contributions. The sector employed 51,928 people, which resulted in $1.25 billion in earned income last year.

“The good thing about the wood industry and the forestry sector overall is that it generates wealth broadly across Kentucky,” said Jeff Stringer, professor of silviculture in the UK Department of Forestry and an author of the study.

Kentucky boasts 12.4 million acres of forest, with 75 percent of that acreage being family-owned. There are more than 100,000 individuals in the state who own 10 woodland acres or more, with more than 90 percent of the timber that supplies the forestry industry coming from those woodlands.

“Those lands are distributed throughout the commonwealth, from Pike to Fulton,” Stringer said. “The industries are distributed across the state as well. So woodland owners in every part of the state have the ability to participate in this economic engine.”

The forestry sector covers a wide range of industries that include logging, paper production and conversion, and a diversity of wood and finished or secondary product businesses, such as manufacturers of furniture, trim, flooring and barrels. These industries include 708 individual facilities located in 109 Kentucky counties.

Logging is the smallest component in the sector, directly employing 2,276, not including owner/operators. In 2012, it had a direct economic impact of $164 million. Though small, the logging industry plays a pivotal role in supplying timber resources for the entire sector.

Solid wood manufacturing, which includes lumber mills and component manufacturers, contributed $3.68 billion to the economy. Paper manufacturing had direct revenues of $3.7 billion with $900 million from pulp and paper production and $2.8 billion from paper converts that include packaging and industrial and writing paper, but does not include printers. Total impact attributed to paper was $5.4 billion in 2012, according to the report.

“Paper consumption in the U.S. is predicted to continue to decrease at about a 3 percent clip over the next five to 10 years. That’s paper overall, and includes packaging, cardboard, writing paper and newsprint,” Stringer said. “Our factories in Kentucky don’t produce newsprint. A mill in Wickliffe produces heavier cover stock paper and one in Hawesville makes copier paper. As long as greeting cards are being made and magazines are printed, our industries in Kentucky are OK. That’s why we predict pulpwood production to be fairly stable.”

Annual pulpwood production in the state remained at nearly 993,000 tons.

Though the economic contributions of the state’s forestry sector are significant, the country’s soft economy and slow housing starts in 2012 caused a contraction of 3.7 percent compared to 2011. The 2012 output of 593 million board feet is significantly below the Kentucky high of 1.1 billion board feet produced in 1999. That translates to a loss of 942 jobs and a drop of $256 million in revenue. Manufacturers of paper products were the hardest hit, dropping 4.7 percent.

Current data on forest inventories indicate growth still exceeds removals in Kentucky forests, but timber quality shows a different picture. There has been a 38 percent decrease in the percent of high quality trees in Kentucky, from 20.7 percent of the timber volume in 2004 to 12.9 percent in 2011.

“Some of the quality has been mined out, and some of the low quality has not,” Stringer said. “That’s not necessarily a bad thing, because you want to wait to grow a nice, high-quality log. But the way you get more higher quality trees in woodlands is to practice good management, so management of the woods by family forest owners is very, very important for the long-term health and stability of the forestry sector and the economic impact that comes from it.”

The study’s authors, Stringer, Billy Thomas and Bobby Ammerman all from UK’s Forestry Department, and Alison Davis from UK’s Department of Agricultural Economics, report that some timber products and species showed price increases or stability in 2012. Railroad tie logs had a delivered price of $293-$332 per thousand board feet, with hickory commanding the highest prices. Stave logs, particularly those made of white oak, rose to their highest price in several years, topping out at $875 per thousand board feet in the third quarter of 2012.

The U.S. Forest Service predicts that there will be continuing demand for hardwood, but also potential shortages in the future, not only nationally, but globally. While most of the forest products produced in Kentucky are consumed domestically, exports do play an important part in some industries.

“Kentucky has the ability, because our forests are very diverse, to produce a wide range of quality hardwood species. That positions us well,” Stringer said. “What our industry has to be able to do is to maintain their competitiveness in a global market. They have to be able to grow to encompass exporting and position themselves to participate in global markets, because that’s where it’s all headed. I think that’s the biggest challenge facing our forestry sector. But I legitimately think we can meet that challenge.”

UK’s Department of Forestry and Cooperative Extension Service conduct workshops and provide information on proper woodlands management. Instructional materials, information on upcoming workshops and field days, as well as a complete copy of the 2012-2013 Kentucky Forestry Economic Impact Report are available at http://www.ca.uky.edu/forestryextension/.

Jill Stowe has been named director of University of Kentucky Ag Equine Programs and Dickson Professor of Equine Science and Management beginning May 1. Stowe, an associate professor within the College of Agriculture’s Department of Agricultural Economics, follows Ed Squires as the leader of the multidisciplinary equine program that serves as a gateway to all equine activities in the college.

Since her arrival at UK in 2008, Stowe has taught in the recently established and rapidly growing equine undergraduate degree program and conducted equine economic research. She led the 2012 Kentucky Equine Survey, the first comprehensive equine industry study done in Kentucky since 1977, which was implemented in partnership with dozens of organizational partners. The project inventoried the state’s equine industry and is in the final stages of determining an economic impact of the industry to the state.  Stowe also serves as faculty advisor for UK’s Dressage and Eventing Team and has served as part of the faculty leadership for UK Ag Equine Programs for the past several years.

“It is a privilege to have the opportunity to serve this program, which has already given so much to me both professionally and personally,” Stowe said. “I am excited to be able to work alongside others on the Equine Programs team to help the program continue to reach its potential.”

“Having a leader such as Jill Stowe, a horsewoman and a scholar of big picture issues, such as the Kentucky Equine Survey, represents another milestone in the college’s efforts to dedicate more programs to the horse,” said Nancy Cox, associate dean for research in UK’s College of Agriculture, Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station director and administrative leader for UK Ag Equine Programs. “Dean Smith’s original call to enhance programs for our signature industry will realize an even greater potential through Jill’s leadership.”

Prior to joining UK, Stowe was an assistant professor in The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics, summa cum laude, from Texas Tech University and her doctorate in economics from Texas A&M University. Her research areas of interest include equine markets, incentives in individual decision making, decision making under risk and ambiguity and sports economics.

“I have a number of goals that I hope to help the UK Ag Equine Programs achieve during the course of my term, and many of them focus on leveraging our rich equine opportunities, not only in this area, but also abroad. Ultimately, doing so will help UK’s equine program achieve excellence, both nationally and internationally,” Stowe said.

Stowe has been actively involved in the horse industry since she was a child, starting with local Quarter Horse show circuits, 4-H, Pony Clubs and later hunter/jumper, combined training and dressage. She currently competes in dressage shows and horse trials with her off-the-track Thoroughbred and is on the board of directors for the Lexington-based Masterson Equestrian Trust.

“The appointment of Dr. Stowe as director of Ag Equine Programs and Dickson Professor of Equine Science and Management indicates the tremendous diversity, and highest levels of expertise, available to the horse industry from the University of Kentucky,” said Norm Luba, executive director of the North American Equine Ranching Information Council and chair of the College of Agriculture’s UK Equine Advisory Committee.

Source: Press release courtesy of UK College of Agriculture

Throughout his career Scott Smith, dean of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, has worked to improve the college and the community it serves. His dedication was honored this week when Smith received the William E. Lyons Award for Outstanding Service from UK’s Martin School of Public Policy and Administration and the Department of Political Science.

(l-r) UK Political Science Chair Ernest Yanarella, Ag Dean Scott Smith, A&S Dean Mark Kornbluh PHOTO: Matt Barton

“It has been an honor to work alongside so many faculty and staff with such a strong commitment and so much talent for public service,” Smith said.

Smith’s nominators highlighted his creative and effective leadership of the college during tumultuous times for Kentucky agriculture. He led research and extension efforts within the college to aid farmers as they transitioned from an age-old tobacco economy to a more diverse portfolio of agricultural enterprises. He also served on statewide committees with other agriculture leaders to aid farmers as they maneuvered into new or expanded opportunities.

“Instead of faltering, Kentucky’s farm gate receipts grew from $3 billion to $5 billion after the elimination of the federal tobacco program,” said Nancy Cox, College of Agriculture associate dean of research and one of the nominators.

Under Smith’s leadership, the college’s external funding increased from about $10 million to more than $30 million annually. Also during his tenure, UK Cooperative Extension Service was strengthened, and today is among the nation’s leaders in such areas as youth participation.

“Innovations like fine arts extension, Health Education through Extension Leadership, and the Community and Economic Development Initiative for Kentucky have improved the quality of life across the state and brought national distinction to UK,” said Jimmy Henning, associate dean for extension and another of Smith’s nominators.

As dean, Smith helped bring a U.S. Department of Agriculture research lab to campus, created the UKAg Equine Program, sustainable agriculture program and forest practices, and mine land reforestation programs. He also led efforts to update and expand the UK Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, which serves the veterinary community across the state.

He has overseen growth of The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky, in collaboration with community leaders and volunteers and opened the UK farms to the Legacy Bike Trail in northern Fayette County.

On the university level, he served as interim provost from 2005 to 2006, co-authored the university’s Top 20 business plan and initiated the translation of the business plan to an academic strategic plan. Initiatives started, continued or completed during his term as interim provost included the creation of Commonwealth Collaboratives, widespread curriculum reform, the creation of the Chellgren Center, and the elimination of a mandatory retirement age for administrative faculty.

“Throughout his career at the University of Kentucky, Scott Smith has provided remarkable leadership for both the land-grant and academic missions of the University of Kentucky,” said Mark Kornbluh, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and a co-nominator. “He has ensured that academic excellence and broad community impact go hand and hand at UK. His legacy is a lasting improvement in the College of Agriculture, the University of Kentucky, and the Commonwealth.”

Smith is the 19th recipient of the William E. Lyons Award, established to honor Lyons’s career and public service. During his tenure Lyons, a professor of political science and public administration who died in 1994, served as director of the Martin School and chaired the political science department.

Lyons’s career accomplishments, in addition to an outstanding academic career, were noteworthy for his service to the university, the community and Kentucky. Such contributions now constitute the criteria for this prestigious award. This honor is given annually to an individual associated with the university who has given outstanding service to UK, the community, the state or the nation.

Source: Press release courtesy of UK College of Agriculture

“This initiative is about the Kentucky Derby. It’s about the Kentucky Derby Festival. And it’s all about Kentucky Proud,” said Kevin Flanery, president of Churchill Downs racetrack and senior vice president of Churchill Downs Inc. “Commissioner, you and your staff have made us very proud.”

Kentucky Proud is the official state farm marketing program. Products marked with the green, red, and blue Kentucky Proud logo have been raised, grown, and/or processed in Kentucky by Kentuckians. Thousands of farmers, processors, retailers, restaurants, school districts, farmers’ markets, Kentucky state parks, and Kentucky Farm Bureau roadside markets are members of Kentucky Proud.

Source: Press release courtesy of Kentucky Department of Agriculture

Agriculture Commissioner James Comer talks about the Kentucky Proud Farm to Campus Program in front of a Kentucky Proud display at the Eastern Kentucky University bookstore in Richmond. (Kentucky Department of Agriculture photo by Chris Aldridge)

Commissioner Comer; EKU President Doug Whitlock; state Rep. Rita Smart (D-Richmond); Jacob Garrison, a member of the EKU student Green Crew sustainability group; and officials with Kentucky Proud and EKU cut a maroon ribbon to open a kiosk featuring Kentucky Proud products in the university bookstore.

“This is a very special day for Kentucky agriculture and the Kentucky Proud program,” Commissioner Comer told the gathering, adding that campus shoppers throughout the Commonwealth should be on the lookout for many more such displays. “We’re going to work with all the colleges and universities in Kentucky to get more Kentucky Proud products on the shelf in the bookstores in special Kentucky Proud sections like you have here … [and] also to get more Kentucky Proud products in the cafeteria….

“It’s very fitting that we announce this initiative today at Eastern Kentucky University because you have so many good students who are into sustainability. You have so many teachers and professors who are committed to educating students about agriculture and training future leaders in agriculture in rural Kentucky.”

After the ribbon cutting, EKU’s food service partner, Aramark, treated attendees to a cake made with Kentucky Proud mix from Hopkinsville. Commissioner Comer toured a student convenience store, where Kentucky Proud products are prominently displayed on the end cap of a shelf, and the Fresh Food Company restaurant on the top floor of the student center.

“Aramark is committed to increasing the number and volume of Kentucky Proud products that we serve in our food service operation,” Whitlock said. “This is the right thing to do for the Kentucky agricultural community, and it’s the right thing to do for our students.”

In addition to using more shelf-stable Kentucky Proud products, EKU executive chef Todd Pagan said he is working to source more raw commodities, such as meats and produce, from Kentucky Proud producers. EKU’s dairy products are already Kentucky Proud, sourced from Borden Dairy in London, Ky.

Pagan noted that one of the restaurant’s lunch dishes on April 15 was creamed ham over cheese grits made using two Kentucky Proud ingredients – grits from Weisenberger Mill in Midway and cream from Borden Dairy.

Under the Farm to Campus program, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture will partner with EKU and other Kentucky colleges and universities to help with their buy-local efforts. Over the next two years, the department will target college campuses to put more shelf-stable Kentucky Proud products in their bookstores and gift shops, and more farm-fresh Kentucky Proud products in their cafeterias and food service systems.

“Not only are you buying food that’s fresher and healthier, and keeping your money in your local economy, but you’re reducing your carbon footprint,” Commissioner Comer said. “That’s a big part of sustainability.”

The KDA will also work with the universities and student sustainability groups, such as the Green Crew, on Kentucky Proud/buy local efforts in Richmond and other college towns.

“This is really kind of a milestone for our university,” Garrison said. “To teach students how to be more sustainable in life – where better than on a campus to do that?

“By adopting sustainable choices – whether it be through food purchases, recycling, whatever – I think we’re certainly making an impact.”

Kentucky’s most recent retail food price results reflected small increases overall, yet fared slightly better than the American Farm Bureau Federation’s national Marketbasket Survey (which monitors the average price of 16 basic grocery items from states across the country). Its most recent average price total increased by approximately 2.0 percent.

On an even larger scale, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index data that was released today (reflecting figures through March 2013), revealed that overall national food-at-home prices decreased by 0.1 percent in the last reported month. However, looking at food prices over a longer timeframe, Kentucky retail food prices as recorded by the Marketbasket Survey are actually beating the national trend. According to the Consumer Price Index, the national average price for food at home has grown by a total of 1.0 percent over the past 12 months. Today’s Marketbasket Survey total reflects a just 0.5 percent increase over the average price total in the first quarter of 2012.

Marketbasket Survey specifics:

Of the six food groups recorded in Kentucky Farm Bureau’s most recent survey – beef, dairy, fruits and vegetables, grain, pork, and poultry – the dairy category showed the greatest total increase with an overall average price jump of 8.0 percent ($1.78). The beef category made the largest (and only) average decrease in price at 6.4 percent ($2.12). Half-gallon vanilla ice cream had the greatest single-item increase with an average price jump of $0.89, while the highest single-item decrease was T-bone steak, falling an average of $0.99 per pound. Overall, 21 of the 40 items in this survey experienced increases in average price, 17 decreased and two items (Idaho potatoes and bell peppers) were unchanged.

The Marketbasket Survey’s top three average price increases reported for items in the first quarter of 2013 were:

The Marketbasket Survey’s top three average price decreases reported for items in the first quarter of 2013 were:

Agricultural Economics in Food Prices:

Looking ahead, the USDA Economic Research Service reports that despite last summer’s severe drought in the Midwest, overall retail food prices remained flat across the country. The drought did affect the price of corn, soybeans and other field crops, though, and is ultimately expected to drive up retail food prices in 2013. Consumers should be aware that higher field crop prices will not only impact grain-based products, but will also raise retail costs for beef, pork, poultry and dairy products as higher feed costs negatively impact meat product prices.

“Overall, food prices have remained remarkably stable over the past two or three quarters, particularly given the run-up in energy prices over this most recent quarter,” said John Anderson, American Farm Bureau Federation’s deputy chief economist.

The remainder of 2013 may prove contrary to that trend.

“Looking ahead, we expect food prices to rise by 3 to 4 percent, which is slightly higher than the average rate of inflation over the past 10 years,” added Anderson.

Even when grocery prices seem to fluctuate from quarter to quarter, Americans continue to enjoy some of the lowest food prices in the world. Shoppers in the U.S. spend only about 10 percent of their disposable income on food each year. Those costs remain far lower than any other country in the world thanks to many of the agricultural efficiencies utilized in America. Today the average U.S. farmer produces enough food and fiber to provide for about 154 people – a dramatic jump from an average of 19 people per farmer back in 1940.

Yet while more food is now being produced on less land, the farmer’s share of the retail food dollar in America is down. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new Food Dollar Series, a farmer earns less than 16 cents per dollar spent on food, down significantly from the 31 cents earned in 1980.

Survey Origins:

Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation has conducted its regional Marketbasket Survey over the past four decades as a tool to reflect local retail food pricing trends and their relationship to what farmers receive for their raw commodities. Cities reporting on the Kentucky Farm Bureau Marketbasket Survey for the first quarter of 2013 include: Alexandria, Augusta, Bardstown, Brandenburg, Brownsville, Cold Springs, Eddyville, Elkton, Flatwoods, Flemingsburg, Gamaliel, Glasgow, Grayson, Harrodsburg, Hartford, Hillview, Hopkinsville, Irvine, Lawrenceburg, Louisville, Madisonville, Mayfield, Munfordville, Nancy, Owensboro, Owingsville, Powderly, Richmond, Russellville, Scottsville, Shelbyville, Tollesboro and Walton.

“Farmers have always been the primary caretakers of the land and they carry that responsibility with honor and pride,” said Kentucky Farm Bureau president Mark Haney. “In fact, I would make the argument that farmers were actually the world’s first environmentalists.”

Kentucky’s farmers not only do a great deal to protect the land, they strive to make it better. Aside from planting trees and shrubs for windbreaks, preserving and restoring wetland areas, and providing a habitat for many forms of wildlife, our farmers also work diligently to improve the quality of the environment by installing conservation buffers on their farmland. Across the U.S., more than 500,000 farmers have voluntarily enrolled approximately 27 million acres into the nation’s Conservation Reserve Program to date, making it the largest public-private partnership for conservation and wildlife habitat in the country.

“Unlike most other jobs, farming is often a family affair and passed down from one generation to the next,” added Haney. “It only makes sense that farmers would try to take the best possible care of their land.”

Today’s farmers are also embracing advanced methods for managing their land and investing in business services that will help them excel in an environmentally sensitive world. From contour farming and the Kentucky-pioneered no-till farming practices to dead animal composting and complex manure management systems, sound environmental stewardship is a 24/7, year-round job for the Commonwealth’s agricultural producers.

Farmers additionally remain at the forefront of producing clean, renewable fuels that provide for a healthier environment and a wide array of “green” jobs around the world. Through agricultural efficiencies made possible by biotechnology, farmers are also shrinking their environmental footprint, reducing their use of pesticides and producing more food on less land with even fewer impacts on soil and water resources.

Kentucky Farm Bureau agrees that it is good to have a day set aside to intentionally talk about what is needed to protect our environment, but feels it is more important to do something about it. If Americans really want our nation to “go green,” we should support the first green industry: agriculture.

“Farmers don’t celebrate Earth Day just once a year; they live it out every day,” Haney concluded. “It’s a huge weight to carry, but because of their many environmental contributions we all can enjoy greener pastures.”

The Kentucky Horse Council, recognizing the importance of including education on equine agriculture for Kentucky’s young students, have approved a major sponsorship to go towards two new MASC units which will be on the road by fall, 2013.

Included in the sponsorships is the opportunity to provide a science-based experiment using an equine theme, provide a virtual industry tour video, and include educational posters about horse themes inside the trailers.

KHC’s Education Committee is working to quickly develop these materials in time for an unveiling in August, 2013 at the Kentucky State Fair.

“This type of project support is exactly what the Kentucky Horse Council is designed to provide,” said Anna Zinkhon, President of the KHC Board.  “As an educational nonprofit, we strive to educate all sectors of the public, but especially the youth, on information about horses and our valuable industry in Kentucky.  We are thrilled to be able to participate in the Mobile Science Centers representing Kentucky’s equine industry.”

Source: Press release courtesy of Kentucky Horse Council

This month’s WASDE report estimated an increase in 2012-13 corn ending stocks; however, the increase was not as drastic as predicted in the March stocks report. AFBF economist Todd Davis said the stocks report found 400 million bushels more than the pre-stocks report forecast. Today’s WASDE report showed ending stocks at 757 million bushels, up only 125 million bushels from the March estimate. And although the projected corn stocks are up slightly from the March projection the stocks-to-use ratio is still straggling, at 6.8 percent.

“There is not a large buffer of corn available to withstand weather or other production related problems for this year’s crop,” said Davis. “Planting will start in the Midwest in the next few weeks, and the latest report, if realized, shows ending stocks to be the smallest since 1995-96.”

The USDA reduced feed and residual use by 150 million bushels but increased the corn for ethanol demand by 50 million bushels to 4.55 billion bushels. Davis said an expected element of the report is the decrease in export use.

“USDA lowered export use predictions by 25 million bushels to 800 million. That is a 48-percent decrease from the 2011-12 marketing year, and if realized, would be the lowest corn export since 1971-72,” said Davis. “This is a reflection of our already elevated corn prices.”

While corn showed an increase in ending stocks, the report left soybean ending stocks unchanged from the March estimate of 125 million bushels, despite the pre-reports indicating a slight increase. The stocks-to-use ratio for soybeans is tighter than corn at 4.1 percent, and there is approximately 15 days of soybean supply on hand on Sept. 1.

Davis said wheat, corn and soybean world ending stocks increased from the March estimates.

“The majority of world wheat and corn increases will come from China,” said Davis. “The increase in the world soybean crop will come from South America. Both Brazil and Argentina rebounded from drought and are expected to handle much of the world demand until the U.S. can harvest and become competitive again.”

The May WASDE report will be released May 10 and will provide the first supply and demand projections for the 2013 crop.

2012′s “Farmer of the Year” Scott Travis (right) pictured with his wife, Robbie Travis.

KFB initiated a “Farmer of the Year” awards program as a way to recognize its members for their commitment to excellence in agriculture, efficiency in farming practices, sound financial management and outstanding leadership in their county Farm Bureau and other civic organizations. Eligibility and guidelines are included with the application, and can be downloaded at kyfb.com/federation/. All applications must be postmarked by July 1.

Entries will be narrowed down to the top three applicants over the summer, and finalists will be announced in mid-August. Judges will visit the three finalists in mid-September to conduct interviews and see their operations in action. The winner will be announced at the organization’s 2013 state annual meeting in Louisville on December 6.

KFB’s “Farmer of the Year” will receive $1,000 from Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation and will be presented with a commemorative award during the organization’s annual meeting in December. State finalists will receive $250 from Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation.

In addition to the statewide recognition and prizes, KFB’s “Farmer of the Year” winner will represent Kentucky in the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year contest, the South’s most prestigious agricultural award, in Moultrie, Georgia, October 14-16, 2014. The state winner will also receive $2,500 from Swisher International and a $500 gift certificate from Southern States Cooperative. Kentucky’s winner will compete against nine other state winners for the chance to win a $15,000 award from Swisher International and several other sponsor-based prizes.

“We will save the taxpayers as much as $600,000 after we finish decommissioning this facility,” Commissioner Comer said. “We will continue to test motor fuel samples at random and respond to consumer complaints. Kentucky consumers will not be affected by this action.”

The department will hire Core Laboratories of Deer Park, Texas, to perform its motor fuel testing at a cost of $330,000 per year.

Comer eliminated all but one of the positions at the fuel lab. Three of the employees whose positions were eliminated were retrained and reassigned. The supervisory chemist will stay with the department in another capacity. Most of the equipment and inventory at the lab will be sold as surplus, Comer said.

The KDA fuel lab was completed in 2008 at a cost of $3.1 million. It was believed that the lab would attract out-of-state business that would make it self-sufficient; a sweeping audit of the department conducted last year at Commissioner Comer’s request found that the lab cost the state $900,000 a year to operate.

“We were spending a lot of tax dollars for very, very little benefit,” Commissioner Comer said. “There never was a business plan that would make the lab viable.”

Comer appointed a task force in July 2012 to examine the lab’s operations. The task force, made up of business leaders in various fields, was unable to devise a strategy that would have enabled the lab to break even.

Comer said the department is in talks with the University of Kentucky about testing fuel samples at its Center for Applied Energy Research.

Source: Press release courtesy of Kentucky Department of Agriculture

WARSAW, Ky., (April 2, 2013) – For 16 women in Northern Kentucky, it took about 40 hours of instruction to become a Champion Food Volunteer-in-training. Now the real work can begin.

PHOTO: Aimee Nielson, UK Ag. Communications

The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service began Champion Food Volunteers as a way to teach people more about nutrition, food safety, food preparation and demonstration. In return, the trainees will become trainers over the next year as they “pay back” 40 hours by volunteering and giving food demonstrations in counties throughout Northern Kentucky.

“The program had a lot of hands-on activities like learning to read food labels, making recipes, identifying products and so much more,” said Diane Mason, family and consumer sciences extension agent for Boone County. “They meet each Friday for five weeks and they have homework in between sessions.”

Mason collaborated with 11 other Northern Kentucky family and consumer sciences agents to teach and mentor the program’s first 16 volunteers in March. Eventually, the program will go statewide.

Sandra Bastin is the interim chair for the UK College of Agriculture’s Dietetics and Human Nutrition Department. She helped develop the Champion Food Volunteer curriculum.

“The program not only provides training for the volunteer but also extends the reach of the county Extension office into the community,” she said. “Being able to offer more educational experiences that allow for a positive change in food safety, diet and physical activity behaviors may improve the health of community members.”

Cathy Kunkel-Mains is a member of the Extension Homemakers in Kenton County. She was one of the 16 to complete the training. She said members of her family have recently had health situations that have made them more conscious about their lifestyles, and that sparked a passion in her to do something proactive in her community.

“I’m looking forward to it (the volunteer hours), because I don’t mind being in front of people,” she said. “I want to do food demonstrations and let people know my passion and how easy it is to change something one step at a time. I believe sharing personal stories can impact people, and I want to do that.”

Kunkel-Mains said she and her husband have been making healthier choices, but she’s learned a lot about choosing the right foods through the Champion Food Volunteer program.

Grace Angotti is the family and consumer sciences extension agent in Carroll County. She said that even though none of the volunteers were from her county, many of them have already approached her about coming to help in Carroll County to fulfill their 40-hour requirement. She said she and other agents have witnessed a desire of their clients to return to the basics.

“I think there is a movement to get back to the basics in cooking; a lot of people are interested in learning how to grow their lettuce, how to cook from scratch,” she said. “For a while everyone was all about convenience food… but now a lot of people want to grow their own food, raise their chickens, things like that.”

Mason said she’s looking forward to having the volunteers help out in Boone County.

“I have 16 people who already have experience that I can count on,” she added.

In Northern Kentucky, the family and consumer sciences extension agents expect to have a class of Champion Food Volunteers at least every other year.

Source: Press release courtesy of UK College of Agriculture

It’s that time of year again – tax time.

Boston threw a tea party to protest it; Shakespeare and Mark Twain have prattled off quotes about it; the Beatles even dedicated a song to it. Nothing brings people together more than rallying against a tax.

While taxes are necessary for a functioning government and society (where would we be without public schools, roads and firemen or police officers), if not reigned in, they can become too much for American families and businesses.

There’s one for you

Taxes should never impede job creation, higher wages and economic investment. But, unfortunately, complex and unjust tax laws have been doing just that. To get the country back on track, Congress is working to reform the tax code and Congressional leaders say that nothing is off the table, which is good news for farmers and ranchers.

Farm Bureau supports an overhaul of the current federal income tax system. The new tax code should encourage, not penalize, success and promote savings, investment and entrepreneurship. Importantly, it should be fair to farmers and ranchers and other family and small business owners. The tax system should be transparent and simple for Americans to understand.

Bob Stallman President American Farm Bureau

Nineteen for me

Farmers and ranchers work in a world of uncertainty. From volatile global markets to fluctuating operating expenses, from Mother Nature’s many moods to disease outbreaks, it makes running a farm or ranch challenging under the best of circumstances. Add a complex and burdensome tax code, and the challenge becomes even greater.

To provide a fairer tax system, Farm Bureau supports lowering tax rates for individuals and providing additional relief from the capital gains tax for farmers since they are hit especially hard by the tax. We also advocate repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. This tax no longer serves its original purpose of preventing tax avoidance by higher income Americans, but instead creates a burden on the middle class. While these measures would significantly help farmers and ranchers, it would benefit many other Americans and small family businesses.

Other tax provisions, like the Health Insurance Tax and the Medicare Contribution Tax, also need repealed. The HIT tax will raise insurance costs for farmers and ranchers, making it harder to purchase coverage for themselves, their families and their employees. The Medicare Contribution Tax, which is a tax on unearned income, will especially burden farmers and ranchers since theirs is such a capital-intensive business.

Benjamin Franklin once said that nothing in this world is more certain than death and taxes. While both are inevitable, the federal tax code should be the lesser of the two evils. Making our tax system fair, simple, understandable and non-burdensome is imperative for all Americans.

“The forecast gives us an indication of what farmers intend to plant as of early March, but between now and fall harvest the influence of still-dry soils, volatile commodity prices and weather uncertainty will play out, which may change what farmers plant,” said AFBF crops economist Todd Davis.

According to Davis, if realized, this year’s corn planting would be the largest acreage since 1936, when 102 million acres were planted. The most recent modern era production year that comes close to this year’s corn planting outlook was 2012, when 97.1 million acres were planted. This year’s planting and a trend yield of 163.54 bushels per acre could result in a final U.S. corn yield of around 14.6 billion bushels.

The soybean planting estimate came in at 77.1 million acres, which is slightly less than the 2012 crop. However, according to USDA’s February yield projection of 44.4 bushels per acre, 77.1 million soybean acres would produce a record soybean crop of 3.38 billion bushels, Davis noted.

“If these early planting and yield projections are realized, corn and soybeans stocks will increase, which would ultimately lead to lower feed costs for livestock and poultry farmers,” Davis said.

USDA’s March 1 survey of grain stocks pegged the nation’s corn inventory at 5.4 billion bushels, down 10 percent compared to a year ago, while soybean stocks were measured at 999 million bushels, down 27 percent from a year prior.

“The drought is forecast to ease in the Western Corn Belt but will persist in Nebraska and Kansas, intensifying in Texas and Oklahoma. However, just because the drought may beeasing doesn’t guarantee record crop yields in those areas,” Davis cautioned.

Acreage of other feed grains is projected to be up from last year as well, with grain sorghum, and oat plantings forecast to be up by 22 percent, and 5 percent, respectively. Barley acreage is expected to remain flat.

Wheat plantings are projected to be up 1 percent from last year. Cotton plantings are projected to be 10 million acres, 19 percent lower than last year.

Source: Press release courtesy of American Farm Bureau Federation

Dean M. Scott Smith (left), UK College of Agriculture, presents Thomas Poe award to Roger Thomas, (right) for his distinguished farm leadership in Kentucky. Source: Gary Palmer, UK College of Agriculture

“I congratulate Roger on receiving this prestigious award and for his loyal service to the Commonwealth, “said Gov. Beshear. “With Roger’s leadership and continued dedication to agriculture, as well as the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund, he has helped create new opportunities for our farm families and rural communities across the Commonwealth.”

Thomas Poe Cooper, former dean of the college, established a trust fund to provide for the recognition of an outstanding farm leader in Kentucky each year. Nominations are accepted from within the college and recipients are selected based on demonstrated leadership in the community, county and state in terms of adopting new ideas and exemplifying the finest in rural life.

Thomas has served as Gov. Beshear’s Office of Agricultural Policy executive director since 2008, as well as the CEO of the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board and Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation. In 2012, he was identified by a journalist’s poll as number one in the Top 10 Most Influential People in Kentucky Agriculture Today.

Prior to his appointment, he served as a state representative for the 21st District in the Kentucky General Assembly from 1996-2004. In that role, he led the passage of House Bill 611, landmark legislation for Kentucky agriculture, which directed 50 percent of Kentucky’s proceeds of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement to form the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund. This fund has stimulated rural economic development and increased net farm income for Kentucky’s farmers.

Thomas also has served as executive director of the Kentucky Dairy Development Council and was the co-founder and co-chair of the National Legislative Agriculture Chairs Summit from 2002-2004. He has led many committees as chair or co-chair, including the Council on State Government Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, and the Kentucky Tobacco Settlement Oversight Committee.

In his current role, Thomas has advanced the partnership among his office, the UK College of Agriculture and other agricultural leadership organizations to continue the progress of Kentucky’s agricultural economy. Thomas lives in Smiths Grove with his wife. They have three children.

For more information about the Thomas Poe Cooper awards, contact Gary Palmer with the UK College of Agriculture at 859-257-1846.

Source: Press release courtesy of Kentucky Governor’s Office of Ag Policy

The maintenance program is in addition to GM’s three-year/36,000 Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty and five-year/100,000 Powertrain Warranty programs. The program can also be combined with the $500 discount given to eligible Farm Bureau members when purchasing a qualifying new GM vehicle.

In addition to partnering with American Farm Bureau, Inc., for member benefits, GM was a sponsor of the American Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet Achievement Award and Excellence in Agriculture competitions held at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2013 Annual Meeting. Thanks to GM’s commitment, the first place winners of these competitive events receive their choice of a full-sized Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra pickup.

Source: Press release courtesy of American Farm Bureau Federation

For more information on your Kentucky Farm Bureau Member Benefits please visit us here.

Agriculture Commissioner James Comer honored the statewide essay winners in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Poster and Essay Contest during the Kentucky Agriculture Day luncheon March 27 in Frankfort. Statewide winners in each grade received $100 and an Honorary Commissioner of Agriculture certificate. Pictured are, from left: front row — Isis Carbollo, first grade, Breckinridge County; Vincent Mayfield, second grade, Daviess County; Andy Peeples, third grade, Daviess County; Michael Brockman, fourth grade, Boone County; Jennifer Solinger, sixth grade, Jefferson County; Anya Johnson, fifth grade, Boone County; back row — April Webb, 11th grade, LaRue County; Danny Ray Taylor, ninth grade, Boone County; Aaron Elswick, 10th grade, LaRue County; Laura Jane Phelps, 12th grade, Woodford County; Tucker Woolum, eighth grade, Bell County, and Cameron Taylor, seventh grade, Boone County. (Kentucky Department of Agriculture photo)

“The winning entries really captured this year’s theme – ‘Agriculture Grows My Community,’” Commissioner Comer said. “Agriculture is responsible for thousands of jobs and millions of dollars of income in Kentucky communities of every size. Agriculture also is an important part of Kentucky’s heritage. I congratulate these young people for their efforts, and I thank their parents and teachers for their support.”

Statewide winners in each grade were awarded $100 each.

Essay contest winners and schools in each grade, with their teachers’ names in parentheses, were:

First grade – Isis Carballo, Custer Elementary School, Breckinridge County (Cheryl Van de Streek)

Second grade – Vincent Mayfield, Deer Park Elementary, Daviess County (Lisa Clark)

Third grade – Andy Peeples, Deer Park Elementary, Daviess County (Cynthia Owens)

Fourth grade – Michael Brockman, Brockman Christian Academy, Boone County (Karen Meiman)

Fifth grade – Anya Johnson, Strong Oaks Academy, Boone County (Sara Rogers)

Sixth grade – Jennifer Solinger, Solinger Homeschool, Jefferson County (Lisa Solinger)

Seventh grade – Cameron Taylor, Still Waters Academy, Boone County (Sara Rogers)

Eighth grade – Tucker Woolum, Pineville Middle School, Bell County (Elizabeth Madon)

Ninth grade – Danny Ray Taylor, Still Waters Academy, Boone County (Sara Rogers)

10^th grade – Aaron Elswick, LaRue County High School, LaRue County (Misty Bivens)

11^th grade – April Webb, LaRue County High School, LaRue County (Misty Bivens)

12^th grade – Laura Jane Phelps, Woodford County High School, Woodford County (Tracy Probst)

Agriculture Commissioner James Comer honored the statewide poster winners in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Poster and Essay Contest during the Kentucky Agriculture Day luncheon March 27 in Frankfort. Statewide winners in each grade received $100 and an Honorary Commissioner of Agriculture certificate. Pictured are, from left: front row — Cadence Johnson, kindergarten, Fayette County; Jacob DeFevers, fourth grade, Barren County; Zoe Barker, third grade, Daviess County; Anna Avery, sixth grade, Hart County; Benjamin Wheat, first grade, Fayette County; Elizabeth Johnson, second grade, Warren County; back row — Heather Bensinger, eighth grade, Mercer County; Emily Jeter, 10th grade, Metcalfe County; Anna Lee, ninth grade, Metcalfe County; Commissioner Comer; Taylor DeWeese, 12th grade, Metcalfe County; Allison Davis, 11th grade; Mercer County; and Rebekah Masih, fifth grade, Boone County. (Kentucky Department of Agriculture photo)

Poster contest winners and schools in each grade, with their teachers’ names in parentheses, were:

Kindergarten – Cadence Johnson, Seton Catholic School, Fayette County (Kitti Boaz)

First grade – Benjamin Wheat, Squires Elementary School, Fayette County (Shirla Ramey)

Second grade – Elizabeth Johnson, Johnson Homeschool, Warren County (Julie Kratts)

Third grade – Zoe Barker, Deer Park Elementary, Daviess County (Cynthia Owens)

Fourth grade – Jacob DeFevers, Austin Tracy Elementary School, Barren County (Sarah Vetter)

Fifth grade – Rebekah Masih, Masih Homeschool, Boone County (Mini Masih)

Sixth grade – Anna Avery, Memorial School, Hart County (Sarah Vetter)

Seventh grade – Maria Campos, Warren East Middle School, Warren County (Susan Comer)

Eighth grade – Heather Bensinger, King Middle School, Mercer County (Tiffany Penn)

Ninth grade – Anna Lee, Metcalfe County High School (Chris Long)

10^th grade – Emily Jeter, Metcalfe County High School (Chris Long)

11^th grade – Allison Davis, Mercer County High School, Mercer County (Julia Snellan)

12^th grade – Taylor DeWeese, Metcalfe County High School (Chris Long)

The statewide winner of the Bonnie Plants Third Grade Cabbage Contest also was honored at the luncheon. Holden Underwood of Nelson County received a check for $1,000 from Michael Morgan, a Kentucky sales representative for Bonnie Plants. Holden grew a cabbage that weighed 20.5 pounds.

Holden Underwood of Cox’s Creek, center, receives a $1,000 ceremonial check and an Honorary Commissioner of Agriculture certificate from Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, right, and Michael Morgan of Bonnie Plants as the Kentucky winner of the Bonnie Plants Third Grade Cabbage Contest during the Kentucky Agriculture Day luncheon March 27 in Frankfort. Holden grew a cabbage that weighed 20.5 pounds. (Kentucky Department of Agriculture photo)

To find out more about the Poster and Essay Contest, go to www.kyagr.com/marketing/poster-essay-contest.html.

Sen. Hornback, right, explains the bill. Seated with Sen. Hornback are, from left, John Roulac, Agriculture Commissioner Comer, and Sen. Robin Webb.

Sen. Hornback and Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, a staunch supporter of Senate Bill 50, looked on as the House passed the bill by an 88-4 margin in the waning hours of the legislative session. The Senate concurred in a House floor amendment, 35-1, sending the bill to the governor’s desk.

“This historic legislation puts Kentucky in position to be first in line if and when the federal government legalizes production of industrial hemp,” Commissioner Comer said. “By passing this bill, the General Assembly has signaled that Kentucky is serious about restoring industrial hemp production to the Commonwealth and doing it in the right way. That will give Kentucky’s congressional delegation more leverage when they seek a federal waiver allowing Kentucky farmers to grow hemp.”

The House floor amendment, ironed out by Sen. Hornback and House Democratic leadership on Tuesday, keeps the Kentucky Industrial Hemp Commission administratively attached to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and calls for hemp demonstration projects by the University of Kentucky and other public universities that choose to participate. The legislation limits involvement of the Kentucky State Police to conducting background checks on applicants for licenses to grow industrial hemp. Comer, the hemp commission’s current chairman, will step down to vice chair, and the commission will elect a new chairman.

“Sometimes, the legislative process isn’t pretty, but we got it done,” Sen. Hornback said. “I’m glad I could play a role in getting legislation passed that has the potential to help Kentucky’s farmers and bring thousands of jobs to the state.”

“I’m confident Washington will loosen restrictions on hemp production sooner rather than later, and when it does, Kentucky will be ready,” said Jonathan Miller, a Democrat, a former state treasurer, and a member of the hemp commission. “Congratulations to Sen. Hornback, Commissioner Comer, the rest of the hemp commission, and so many others who have worked so hard for many years to make this day a reality.”

Source: Press release courtesy of Kentucky Department of Agriculture

“Construction, dredging and repairs to our locks and dams will help ensure the reliability of the most affordable, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable mode of transporting agricultural products,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman.

Forty-one states, including all states east of the Mississippi River and 16 state capitols, are served by commercially navigable waterways. Further, more than 60 percent of America’s grain exports and many other important commodities such as fuel, coal and agricultural inputs also move through the U.S. inland waterway system.

Reps. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.) and Daniel Lipinski (D-Ill.) are original sponsors of the bill.

Source: Press release courtesy of American Farm Bureau

“This department has invited a level of scrutiny never before seen in state government,” Comer said. “We have become a model of transparency and accountability. Imagine what we might learn if every agency in state government was placed under the same magnifying glass.”

Comer praised the Ethics Commission for moving forward in an organized and expeditious manner. He said the Commission’s professionalism enabled the Department to continue moving forward while fully cooperating with the investigation of the previous administration.

Since the new administration took over in January 2012:

-Commissioner Comer requested a thorough, sweeping audit by the Kentucky Office of the Public Auditor and demanded that all employees cooperate with the audit.

-Commissioner Comer fired at least 16 political employees, and dozens who served under the previous administration are no longer employed by the Department.

-Commissioner Comer has taken numerous steps to improve transparency in the Department, including publishing his official schedule, launching a new KDA website that details all expenditures, and taking agriculture to all of Kentucky’s 120 counties in his first year in office.

-Commissioner Comer has ordered tighter controls on the department’s vehicle fleet including GPS monitoring of vehicles.

-Commissioner Comer cut spending on the department’s motor fuel and pesticide testing laboratory, which is on track to save taxpayers more than $400,000 this year alone.

Comer pledged that the Kentucky Department of Agriculture would continue to cooperate fully with investigations into the previous administration.

“We operate in the sunshine here,” Comer said. “We have made drastic improvements, and our work continues.”

KFB Insurance provides flood coverage through Southern Farm Bureau Insurance and the Federal Government’s flood insurance plan. This coverage protects those in flood plains – areas prone to flooding that are often near rivers and creeks that rise. During the past five years more than 720 Kentucky home- and farm-owners were protected by flood coverage and, as a result, received approximately $11.25 million in claims payouts to repair their property damages. While many of these claims were the result of several storms occurring in different years, occasionally a single, strong storm powers through the state and causes significant damage to a targeted area. Such was the case in south central Kentucky in May 2010. More than 285 claims and $6.25 million were tallied in that year alone, most of which were caused by a single storm.

KFB knows, however, that homes and farms are not the only sources of claims and property loss when it comes to water damage. During the past five years, KFB Insurance also paid out more than $5.5 million on nearly 700 automobile flood-related claims. Approximately $1.3 million and 215 auto claims were handled by KFB Insurance when widespread flooding hit Jefferson County in August 2009 after a single storm.

While KFB is proud to help so many Kentuckians recover after suffering through storm damage, restoring and replacing property is a hefty venture for those without flood insurance. Most home and farm policies do not automatically include coverage for flooding, so property owners must be aware of flood plains in relation to their homes. Home and farm owners should ask their agent about specifically adding flood coverage to their policies to avoid an expensive disaster when storm waters surge.

1. Even residents living in areas that are not prone to flooding can make small improvements around the home and farm to help prevent surface water damage, which is typically not covered under a standard insurance policy. Listed below are some helpful tips for making a property more water resistant.
2. Redirect downspouts away from the foundation of the home and extend the tubing to carry the water further away than the typical gutter system allows.
3. Keep all gutters and downspouts clear of debris that will cause the roof-lining troughs to fill with excess water, overflow and fall instead onto areas close to the foundation.
4. Reshape landscaping around the foundations to slope downward, directing water away from the house.
5. Caulk any cracks seen around the foundation that might allow seepage into a basement or crawlspace.
6. Unfinished basements walls can be sealed internally with specialty applications found at most home improvement stores, but may require continual review and maintenance over time.
7. Install a sump pump and foundation drain system to force water out of the area in and directly under a house.

Despite their best efforts, though, homeowners cannot always prevent water damage. For times like those, it is also wise to have copies of important documents and photos of your home, farm and other possessions on file somewhere off site, like a bank safety deposit box, for reference and insurance purposes if personal property is destroyed or washed away.

Of course, flooding can do much more than just damage property – floods occasionally claim lives, too. The National Weather Service points out that just six inches of water can sweep a person off of his or her feet, and that two feet of water is enough to lift and move a car, even an SUV. More people drown in their cars than anywhere else during a flood. If the water covering the road is more than a few inches deep, it is best to find an alternate route – even if it takes longer to reach the destination. What appears to be a short drive through rising waters could end up preventing more than just a person reaching the other side of the road – it could cost a life.

When storms hit Kentucky, it is important to follow news updates on the television or radio and pay attention to the warnings that are issued. As organizations like KFB support Flood Awareness Week (March 18-22) and Severe Weather Awareness Month (March), Kentuckians are also advised to create emergency plans and kits for situations like floods and other natural disasters. To learn more about how to start a plan and what to include in an emergency kit, visit ready.gov.

“The commitment, hard work and innovation of our farmers provides us with a stable supply of high-quality, affordable food,” said KFB President Mark Haney. “National Agriculture Day is an excellent opportunity for all Americans to learn more about the farmers who contribute so much to our nation’s prosperity and quality of life.”

Farmers in the United States continue to produce the safest, most abundant and lowest-cost food supply of any nation in the world. Because agriculture also provides components of almost everything people eat, use and wear on a daily basis – and is increasingly contributing to consumer demand for alternative fuels and other bio-products – organizers of the National Ag Day program believe that every American should:

• understand how food, fiber and renewable resource products are produced
• value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy
• appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products
• acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food, fiber and renewable resource industries.

“Just a few generations ago most families in Kentucky were directly connected to farming,” said Haney. “We realize that is not the case today. We need to make sure that all people, and especially our youth, understand the major role that agriculture has in everyday life.”

Although the number of farms in the United States has steadily declined over the years, agricultural production continues to meet the needs of a growing American and global population. Today’s farmers grow twice as much food as their parents did, but use less land, water and energy to do so. About 90 percent of those farms are still operated by families or individuals today.

Additionally, an estimated 20 percent of U.S. farm production is exported to other nations and, according to government statistics, agriculture is one of the few remaining industries with a positive balance of trade. This production comes from the 2.2 million farms currently operating in America and accounts for more than 24 million jobs nationwide.

Kentucky’s economy is strongly supported by agriculture as well. Only four other states have more farms than the 87,000 found in Kentucky, and farming accounts for more than 270,000 jobs statewide. According to recent analysis conducted by the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, the Commonwealth experienced record highs in 2012 with $5.3 billion in farm cash receipts.

Healthy as Kentucky and American ag production is, the amount of exported goods from the U.S. will need to increase even more if global demand for its food and fiber continues at the current pace. It is projected that the world’s population will grow by one-third its current size to an anticipated 9 billion people by the year 2050. With that kind of rapid growth, full support of the country’s agricultural producers is needed.

“Feeding people has always been the central role of farmers,” said Haney, “but feeding a growing world population while the amount of farmland is simultaneously shrinking is a real challenge. Appreciating, understanding and partnering with the ag community will be necessary at all levels of society if we are to meet these increasing demands.”

Haney, who operates an orchard and cattle farm in Pulaski County, said he hopes National Agriculture Day’s promotion of farmers will entice more people to educate themselves about what farmers do.

“Agricultural education should not just be for those who choose to pursue farming or agribusiness as a career,” concluded Haney. “A broader understanding of agriculture leads naturally to a greater appreciation of the safe and abundant food supply we have all come to enjoy.”

Additional information about the purpose and history of National Agriculture Day is available at agday.org.

An annual checkup by a qualified water well contractor is the best way to ensure problem-free service and quality water.

Also, preventative maintenance usually is less costly than emergency maintenance, and good well maintenance – like good car maintenance – can prolong the life of your well and related equipment. NGWA further recommends you test your water whenever there is a change in taste, odor, or appearance, or when the system is serviced.

Wells can provide high-quality drinking water, and about half the U.S. population receives its drinking water from wells. But with well ownership comes the responsibility of keeping the water well in good working order. A check of your well by a qualified water well contractor may include:

- A flow test to determine system output, along with a check of the water level before and during pumping (if possible), pump motor performance (check amp load, grounding and line voltage), pressure tank and pressure switch contact and general water quality (odor, cloudiness, etc.).

- A well equipment inspection to assure it’s sanitary and meets local code.

- A test of your water for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and anything else of local concern. Other typical additional tests are those for iron, manganese, water hardness, sulfides and other water constituents that cause problems with plumbing, staining, water appearance and odor.

It is also recommended that well owners:

- Keep hazardous chemicals, such as paint, fertilizer, pesticides and motor oil far away from wells, and maintain a “clean” zone of at least 50 feet between your well and any kennels and livestock operations.

- Maintain proper separation between your well and buildings, waste systems and chemical storage areas.

- Periodically check the well cover or well cap on top of the casing (well) to ensure it is in good repair and securely attached. Its seal should keep out insects and rodents.

- Keep your well records in a safe place. These include the construction report, and annual water well system maintenance and water testing results.

Visit www.ngwa.org or www.wellowner.org for more information.

Bradley Piles (right) and his balancer heifer, Supreme Champion Ky Owned Heifer.

“Most of the top-selling cattle were sold by Kentucky consignors. That says cattle buyers all over the country recognize the quality of Kentucky cattle,” said Commissioner Comer, a beef cattle producer from Monroe County. “Kentucky Farm Bureau and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture have worked hard to make the Beef Expo one of the leading sources of breeding stock in the United States, and our efforts are paying off.”

Gross sales totaled $1,083,150, up 2 percent from the 2012 Beef Expo. Average per head was $2,360, an increase of 7.7 percent from last year’s event. A total of 201 consignors from 19 states sold 459 animals.

Three lots — all from Kentucky consignors — attracted bids of more than $10,000:

·         The grand champion Hereford bull, consigned by Matheny Herefords of Mays Lick, which was the sale topper at $11,500;

·         The grand champion Simmental female, consigned by Welsh Simmentals of Glasgow, which drew a bid of $10,200; and

·         An Angus cow and calf consigned by Sheldon Burks of Park City, which went to two Kentucky buyers for a total of $10,100.

Forty-five Angus lots averaged $3,618 per head to lead all breeds. Simmentals averaged $3,239 for 63 lots.

Youth exhibitors showed 500 animals in the Junior Show, up from 477 in 2012. Kentucky cattle in the Junior Show totaled 169, 31 more than the previous year. Commissioner Comer attributed the increase in Kentucky cattle to the Kentucky Proud Livestock Tag Program, which makes exhibitors eligible for additional premiums for showing Kentucky livestock. For more information about the Kentucky Proud Livestock Tag Program, go to www.kyagr.com/marketing/ky-proud-tag.html.

Source: Press release courtesy of KDA

For the 20th edition of the event, Dale Dobson, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Farm and Home Safety Program coordinator, handed the baton to members of the Central Hardin and LaRue FFA chapters. They accepted the challenge and took charge of the program, which they call “Learning From Our Past to Protect Our Future.” The symposium is Friday at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College.

“Most of Dale’s program aims to make our youth more safety conscious, so it’s only natural to have them give the message,” Agriculture Commissioner James Comer said. “Dale always comes up with a new wrinkle for the Farm Safety Symposium, and this is one of his better ideas.”

The FFAers have raised money for the symposium, secured speakers, set up a display contest, and created an Ag Safety Awareness Challenge page on Facebook. Some of the speakers are parents and other relatives who helped Dobson start his farm safety program 20 years ago. Dobson joined the department in 1998 and brought his program along.

The display contest is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. EST. The symposium will follow from 7-8:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

The event is co-sponsored by Hardin County and LaRue County Farm Bureau in partnership with the Dixie Firefighters Association. For more information, go to www.dixiefirefighters.com.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Farm and Home Safety Program travels to every county in Kentucky to deliver safety messages to schools, farm groups, civic organizations, and other groups that request a presentation. The program operates a one-of-a-kind rollover tractor simulator, which demonstrates the correct use of a rollover protective structure (ROPS) on a tractor, and a miniature grain bin and wagon. Last month, Dobson unveiled a PTO safety demonstration at the National Farm Machinery Show. For more information on the Farm and Home Safety Program, go to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s website, www.kyagr.com.

The new Medicare Contribution Tax, which is a tax on unearned income such as capital gains, will burden farmers and ranchers more than many other taxpayers because farming and ranching is a capital-intensive business, AFBF noted in a statement submitted to the House Subcommittee on Oversight of the Ways and Means Committee.

Further, the imposition of the Medicare Contribution Tax when a farm or ranch is sold amounts to a “retirement tax” on agricultural producers because it will go into effect when farmers sell their businesses to fund retirement. Beginning farmers could be affected as well, as adding this tax on top of capital gains taxes will make it more difficult for them to acquire land needed to get started in business.

Farm Bureau supports repeal of the 3.8 percent Medicare Contribution Tax that will be applied to “unearned” income of so-called high-income taxpayers and the new 0.9 percent Medicare tax that will be imposed on wages and self-employment income above established thresholds for high-income individuals.

Farm Bureau also supports legislation to repeal the Health Insurance Tax as it will raise insurance costs, making it harder for farmers and ranchers to purchase coverage for themselves, their families and their employees.

In addition, the health insurance coverage mandate accompanied by the threat of a tax penalty for noncompliance is only making the situation worse for people unable to afford health care coverage in the first place, according to AFBF.

“Rural American families already pay a greater percentage of their after-tax family income on health insurance than urban American families,” noted AFBF. According to the Council of Economic Advisors, nearly one-quarter of families in rural areas spend more than 10 percent of their income on health insurance coverage, compared with 18 percent in urban areas.

Protecting farmers’ and ranchers’ interests in debates on tax reform is a priority included in AFBF’s strategic action plan for 2013.

Source: Courtesy of American Farm Bureau

[February 25, 2013]–Across the nation, county and state Farm Bureaus have committed to making safety a top priority this spring through the Agricultural Safety Awareness Program. Participants have designated March 3-9 Agricultural Safety Awareness Week.

This year’s theme is “Agricultural Safety: Your Best Investment,” and the emphasis of the week is on encouraging farmers to make safety a priority as they prepare to plant crops this spring. Making safety a priority on the farm and ranch can save both lives and resources by preventing accidents, injuries and lost time.

“It’s important to take the time to do farm tasks in a safe manner. Each one of us can make a difference in the health and safety of loved ones and employees on the farm,” said Randy Chrisman, Chair of the KFB Safety & Rural Health Advisory Committee. “The physical, emotional and financial consequences of a serious safety incident on the farm and ranch are well-documented. Investing time in advance to ensure safety recommendations are followed can prevent many incidents.”

According to the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Every day, 243 agricultural workers suffer lost-work-time injury. Five percent of these injuries result in permanent impairment. That equates to 12 workers daily who sustain injuries resulting in permanent disabilities.
• Approximately 1,783,000 full-time workers were employed in production agriculture in the U.S. in 2009. During this same year, 440 farmers and farm workers died from a work- related injury for a fatality rate of 24.7 deaths per 100,000 workers.
• Although the total number of youth fatalities on farms and ranches is declining, according to industry experts when fatal injuries do occur among youths on farms, 23 percent involved machinery (including tractors), 19 percent involved motor vehicles (including ATVs) and 16 percent were due to drowning.
• Between 1992 and 2009, 9,003 farmers and farm workers died from work-related injuries in the U.S. The leading cause of death for these workers was tractor overturns, accounting for more than 90 deaths annually.

The most effective way to prevent tractor-overturn deaths is the use of a Roll-Over Protective Structure (ROPS) with a seatbelt. In 2006, only 59 percent of tractors used on U.S. farms were equipped with ROPS.

Further, ag safety statistics compiled by National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health indicate:

• Over the eleven years from 1998 to 2009, the rate of childhood agricultural injuries per 1,000 farms (includes youth who live on, visit, and are hired to work on farms) declined by 57 percent (from 16.6 to 7.2). The rate of injuries per 1,000 household youth (those living on farms) declined by 60 percent (from 18.8 to 7.5) during that same period.
• On average, 113 youth less than 20 years of age die annually from farm-related injuries (1995-2002), with most of these deaths occurring among youth 16-19 years of age (34 percent).

The American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee kicked off the week by donating food and funds to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix.

“Farmers and ranchers remain committed to producing safe, healthy food for all Americans,” said Terry Gilbert, a Kentucky farmer and chair of the AFB Women’s Leadership Committee. “And we do share with many American families concerns about putting nutritious meals on the table on a tight budget.”

Over the past few years, rising energy costs for processing, packaging and transportation have been the driving forces behind modest increases in retail food prices, Gilbert noted.

“Plenty of options are available so that consumers do not have to turn to less-nutritious foods that lack essential vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients, to make ends meet,” said Gilbert.

“Tips for better nutrition on a stretched budget, making sense of food labels and understanding USDA’s MyPlate guidelines are among the topics Farm Bureau members will be talking about with consumers, at supermarket demonstration stations, farmers’ markets and other venues,” according to Gilbert.

“Stretching Your Grocery Dollar With Healthy, Nutritious Food,” the official theme of Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week, reflects the fact that many Americans continue to look for ways to deal with an economic squeeze. Shopping for food to prepare more meals at home and dining out less frequently are two strategies people are using to cope with the situation.

“Now more than ever before, farmers and ranchers are committed to participating in conversations with consumers, to answer their questions about food,” Gilbert said. “This holds true during special observances such as Food Check-Out Week, as well as when farmers go about their day-to-day routines and engage in social media.”

Ronald McDonald Houses around the nation provide a “home-away-from-home” for the families of seriously ill children receiving medical treatment at area hospitals.

The Food Check-Out Week connection between Farm Bureau and Ronald McDonald House Charities was forged more than a decade ago. Since the program was initiated in the mid-1990s, Farm Bureau members have donated more than $3 million in food and monetary contributions to Ronald McDonald Houses and other charities during Food Check-Out Week.

Participating county and state Farm Bureaus will hold similar events throughout Food Check-Out Week. Links to state Farm Bureau websites may be found at: http://www.fb.org/index.php?action=statefbs.

The third week of February was selected for Food Check-Out Week as a way to celebrate American food and as a bridge to National Nutrition Month in March.

Related Podcast

It’s Food Check-out Week

Source: Press release courtesy of American Farm Bureau Federation

“This strategic plan is not just about improving our farms and helping our farmers; it’s about strengthening their place in our communities, improving quality of life and economic vitality across Kentucky,” said Gov. Beshear. “This plan for Kentucky’s agriculture community is a strong and thoughtful document that, when implemented, will help secure a bright future for our farm families.”

As the steward of strategic planning for Kentucky, KAC established a task force on the future of agriculture with representatives from its 80-plus member organizations with three co-chairs: Keith Rogers, 4-H Foundation; Todd Clark, Council for Burley Tobacco; and Sharon Furches, Kentucky Women in Agriculture.

For more than a year, KAC’s task force met and held public forums to gather input from across the Commonwealth to guide the strategic plan. The 2013-2018 strategic plan is a follow-up to the 2007-2012 plan, which was presented to Gov. Beshear early in his first term. Many of the action items from the earlier plan have been accomplished.

“The Kentucky Ag Council was very gratified by the input to this plan that we received from countless producers and agricultural leaders, who took time to attend one of the seven public forums we held all across the state,” said Dan Flanagan, KAC Chairman for 2012.  “And on a personal note, as someone who is deeply involved in higher education, I was thrilled to see so many young and first-time farmers involved in the planning process. That led to our decision to focus attention on ‘next generation farmers’.”

The plan includes seven core strategies with recommended actions to drive Kentucky’s progress:

Next Generation Farming

Make farming attractive and accessible to the next generation of both full-time and part-time aspirants, including those from diverse, non-traditional groups including retirees, women, minorities and urban dwellers.

New Markets Identification & Development

Increase on-farm incomes and strengthen economic vitality of rural areas through continuous identification and development of new market opportunities.

Regional Agricultural & Rural Community Development

Encourage region-specific agricultural development projects and initiatives through funding from the Agricultural Development Board.

Agricultural Education

Promote, advocate for and expand the number of schools offering Agricultural Education programs by linking the contribution of Agricultural Education to “Unbridled Learning” College & Career Readiness For All, Kentucky’s new accountability model.

Consumer Education & Outreach

Engage with Kentucky consumers to increase their trust in the state’s Agricultural producers & products. Build consumer appreciation of the benefits of agriculture economically to the state as a whole and at the individual county level, and in terms of its role in ensuring the sustainability of Kentucky’s culture and a rural lifestyle.

Government Policies, Initiatives & Programs

Develop policies and funding streams designed to support the overall health (economic & environmental) of farms in Kentucky, as well as lead to increased net farm income. Ensure that all Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund (KADF) proceeds are invested with a purpose of improving the net farm income.

Policy-Maker Education & Outreach

Ensure all legislators and policy-makers at local, state and national levels understand the economic and community impact of Kentucky’s agricultural sector — “an implementation plan for the Strategic Plan.”

For more information about the Kentucky Agricultural Council or to view the new strategic plan for Kentucky agriculture – Connecting: Strategies to Better Kentucky’s Agricultural Economy and Rural Communities (2013-2018) - visit www.kyagcouncil.org.

Source: Press release courtesy of GOAP

“A strong, clear message about the importance of agriculture, not only to Kentucky but also to our nation, is delivered when two hundred people travel all the way to Washington to meet with their elected leaders,” said Jeff Harper, KFB’s director of Public Affairs. “Kentucky Farm Bureau’s Congressional Tour provides our membership the opportunity to sit down face-to-face with their elected officials to implement the policy our organization and explain what is personally impacting their farm and family.”

The group of county leaders from Kentucky will be briefed on the current political environment by the staff of KFB and American Farm Bureau Federation on Tuesday, February 26. Michael Hand, Deputy Administrator for Compliance at the USDA Risk Management Agency, and Tamar Jacoby, President and CEO of Immigration Works USA, will share additional updates as the group prepares to meet with its Congressmen and Senators the following day.

“Our members are eager to share their concerns about fiscal policy, national farm policy, farm labor and immigration reform, and environmental issues facing agriculture,” said Harper.

A full day of interaction with Kentucky’s political leaders in Washington, D.C., begins at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 27, with a breakfast at the Holiday Inn Capitol. Both of Kentucky’s U.S. Senators – Mitch McConnell (R) and Rand Paul (R) – as well as all six of the U.S. Representatives from Kentucky – Andy Barr (R), Brett Guthrie (R), Thomas Massie (R), Hal Rogers (R), Ed Whitfield (R) and John Yarmuth (D) – will address the KFB group during the breakfast, offering updates on the work being done in our nation’s capitol.

KFB’s delegates have the opportunity to directly promote the interests of Kentucky’s agricultural livelihood to their elected leaders after the breakfast. Each Congressman will open his office and meet individually with those from their home districts. Senators McConnell and Paul will also reconvene with the group later in the day for a lengthier discussion on their work and efforts in Washington.

“Our members will not only get to voice their concerns directly to those influencing the outcomes of national policy, but they will also gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the many issues facing our nation,” concluded Harper.

State investments approved included:

Energy Incentives

The On-Farm Energy Efficiency & Production Program provides incentives for Kentucky farm families to increase energy efficiency and renewable fuel production.  Successful applicants may receive up to 25 percent reimbursement of the actual cost of a qualified energy saving or production project, up to $10,000 in state funds.  Thirteen applicants for the On-Farm Energy Program were approved for a total of $105,508 in Butler, Fulton (2), Graves (3), Henderson, Hickman (2), Logan, McLean, Monroe and Muhlenberg counties.
A complete list of recipients by county is attached.

County investments approved included:

Agricultural Marketing Facility Enhancement

The City of Morgantown was approved for $6,750 in Butler County funds for the enhancement of the Ag. Expo Center in Butler County.  This project is part of the second phase of development for the center and is expected to impact approximately 110 farm families.  For more information about this project, contact Linda Keown with the City of Morgantown at 270-526-3557 or 270-999-6481.

Country Ham Project

The Metcalfe County 4-H Council was approved for $2,361 in Metcalfe County funds to purchase hams for their growing country ham curing project that teaches youth the history, science and process of curing country hams, as well as basic public speaking skills to present what they’ve learned.  For more information about this project, contact Amy Branstetter, 4-H extension agent, at 270-432-3561, 270-261-1509 or ambr223@uky.edu.

High School Greenhouse

The Ballard County Board of Education was approved for $29,917 in Ballard county funds to purchase and construct a greenhouse for the agricultural education department of Ballard Memorial High School to provide hands-on learning opportunities for students.  For more information about this project, contact Dana Rohrer, principal, at 270-665-8400 ext. 2400, 270-519-7620 or dana.rohrer@ballard.kyschools.us.

Livestock Handling System Expansion

The Butler County Stockman’s Association Inc. was approved for $2,000 in Butler County funds to purchase livestock handling equipment that will increase the efficiency of their current livestock handling system used at the Ag. Expo Center in Butler County.  For more information about this project, contact Mike Hunt at 270-999-4093.

Multi-Purpose Agricultural Facility Improvements

The Logan County Agricultural Extension Foundation Inc. was approved for $72,441 in Logan County funds to enhance accessibility and usability of their existing multi-purpose agriculture facility in Logan County.  For more information about this project, contact Chris Milam with the extension service at 270-276-6323, 270-847-0634 or cmila2@uky.edu.

On-Farm Investments

The County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) is designed to provide farmers with incentives to allow them to improve and diversify their current production practices.  CAIP covers a wide variety of on-farm agricultural enterprises in its 10 investment areas, including production, marketing and value-added processing.  Three CAIPs were approved by the board totaling $241,367 for Breathitt, Estill and Kenton counties.

In addition to these new approvals, an additional $45,000 was approved to supplement an existing CAIP in Lawrence County.     ]]> http://kyfbnewsroom.com/more-than-500000-invested-in-22-agricultural-diversification-projects-across-the-commonwealth/feed/ 0 http://kyfbnewsroom.com/kfb-promotes-food-check-out-day-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kfb-promotes-food-check-out-day-2 http://kyfbnewsroom.com/kfb-promotes-food-check-out-day-2/#comments Wed, 13 Feb 2013 14:23:47 +0000 kyfb http://kyfbnewsroom.com/?p=603 Louisville, KY (February 14, 2013) – Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) leaders across the state are celebrating national “Food Check-Out Week,” February 17-23, to mark the time of year when the average American has earned enough income to meet his or her annual cost of food. Despite recent challenges in the economy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that Americans spend just 10 percent of their disposable income on food each year.

While food prices are not completely exempt from changes in our nation’s economy, the cost of food is not nearly as cumbersome as many other expenses. The average American earns enough to pay for his or her annual food costs by the seventh week of the year, but, according to research conducted by the Tax Foundation, that same person would have to work for 107 days (or until approximately the middle of April) to earn enough to pay for annual taxes.

“Americans work significantly longer to pay for federal taxes than for our food,” noted KFB President Mark Haney. “Food Check-Out Day is a good reminder of the affordability, quantity and quality of the food that our farmers bring to market year-round.”

Now in its 15th year, “Food Check-Out Week” is also designed to keep the nation’s fluctuating economic conditions in mind. Farm Bureau volunteers in Kentucky and across the country prepare supermarket demonstration stations for consumers with the primary goal of helping shoppers increase their knowledge of how to stay on a budget while purchasing healthy food for their families.

“We want to help people in these tough economic times be able to buy lots of good, nutritious food and still stay within budget,” said Terry Gilbert, chair of the American Farm Bureau (AFBF) Women’s Leadership Committee and KFB board member. “While we’re engaging with people and talking about the food they purchase, we’re also talking with them about what we do on our own farms and why we do it. We’re there to honestly answer any questions or concerns they have about what we do to grow fruits and vegetables or raise our livestock.”

“The whole thing is a great way of opening the door to a conversation that puts a face on agriculture,” concluded Gilbert.

Additional information on the history of Food Check-Out Week is available on the AFBF website.

The true bonus could be the fact that an influx of U.S. beef could lower consumer prices in Japan, and, as a result, lead to higher consumption levels in that nation, according to AFBF economist Veronica Nigh.

The announcement that Japan will begin to import U.S. beef from cattle 30 months of age and less will take effect on Friday, Nigh said. The initial rules, imposed by Japan in 2005, permitted U.S. beef imports only from cattle up to 20 months old, after a total ban in 2003 that followed an outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

“Japan’s imports of U.S. beef plunged by 60 percent to some 120,000 metric tons from 2001 to 2011,” Nigh said. “Australian beef producers were the main beneficiaries in an import market worth more than $2 billion.”

But, now that could all change. Late last year, Japan’s food safety organization helped pave the way for this week’s announcement by reporting that the risk from importing beef from cattle aged 30 months or younger from the United States, Canada, France and the Netherlands would be negligible to human health. The Japanese government has since held a series of public consultations and bilateral talks on how the new safety requirements would be met in the supplying countries.

“This is a big win, and it’s the result of seven-plus years of resolute work by both the Bush and Obama administrations,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “This is great news for American cattle producers and it should have positive ripple effects for other U.S. food and agricultural sectors.”

According to Stallman, Japan’s action highlights the importance of sticking to sound, validated science; using multi-pronged efforts that included U.S. and Canada pushing for common-sense BSE guidelines; Congress supporting funding for the overall BSE effort; and multi-agency cooperation.

“We saw a sustained grassroots push to make sure officials knew how important this milestone is,” Stallman said. “It truly sets the stage and establishes a process for other efforts on breaking down non-tariff barriers.”

According to Nigh, the United States produces large amounts of specific meat cuts and offal that bring higher returns in Japan than in domestic markets. She said Japanese beef prices rose significantly following the 2003 trade restrictions, which severely limited supplies of those cuts. But now, an increased presence of U.S. beef in Japan could bring higher returns for U.S. producers and lower prices for Japanese consumers.

Nigh pointed out a 2010 study by the Agriculture Department’s Economic Research Service, which estimated that every decrease of 1 percent in beef prices in Japan actually leads to increases in consumption greater than 1 percent.

“The positive effects for U.S. beef producers go beyond the actual export volume,” Nigh explained. “This gives U.S. beef an opportunity to lead resurgence in beef consumption. Analysis by USDA indicates Japanese consumers are very price sensitive when it comes to beef purchases, and the increased presence of U.S. beef in the Japanese market will lower their retail beef prices and lead to increased beef consumption, and therefore demand. This would be good news for U.S. producers, as much of this increased demand would likely be captured by U.S. beef.”

Source: Press release courtesy of American Farm Bureau Federation

A study conducted by Roy Burris and Edwin Ritchey is looking at the effects of grazing cattle on wheat in the winter. PHOTO: Brad Beckman, UK agricultural communications specialist

“In the cattle business, we say any day grazing is a good day, and beef cattle wintering costs are so high,” said Roy Burris, UK extension beef specialist. “If cattle can graze the wheat, it will be good for the cattle and good for producers’ pocketbooks.”

Burris has seen producers of both commodities in other states graze cattle on wheat in the winter and believes Kentucky producers can do it. Kentucky producers have used wheat in their grazing systems as a feed source in the fall and early spring. He asked UK soil extension specialist Edwin Ritchey to help him conduct the study.

Ritchey and Burris conducted a preliminary trial during the winter of 2011-2012. Cattle grazed on 19 acres of wheat from Dec. 12 to March 16 at the UK Research and Education Center. The researchers also had a two-acre, tall fescue pasture adjacent to the wheat field so the cattle could be moved during the weekends and during wet weather to prevent compaction and yield damage. They removed cattle from the field in February to help maintain grain yields.

The results from the preliminary study were promising. The average daily gain of the 24 young beef heifers was nearly 1 pound per day. Using the current cattle prices, the researchers estimated they made $140 per acre. The wheat yield decreased by 7 bushels per acre compared to a non-grazed area, which is estimated to be a $50 per acre loss. When these two numbers are considered, researchers estimate they made $90 per acre. They also did not feed any hay to these cattle.

“We weren’t trying to maximize weight gain, just get the cattle to gain enough weight so they would breed efficiently,” Burris said. “Cost of gain should be less on pasture compared to dry lot feeding.”

Researchers planted double-crop soybeans after the wheat harvest. The soybeans did not have any measurable yield loss, which means soil compaction caused by grazing cattle may have been minimal.

“We feel like this is a very good option for small- to medium-sized grain producers that are also running cattle,” Ritchey said. “It probably won’t work for the larger grain farmers who have already pushed all their fences out to maximize production.”

It also takes more careful management than feeding hay or grazing cool-season pastures.

“Ideally, the wheat should be 6 to 8 inches tall before you turn the cattle in,” Ritchey said. “You also have to make sure they don’t graze it into the ground. Compaction is also an issue. In Kentucky, we tend to have wet winters, and you don’t want the animals to compact the soil. Therefore, you need another pasture where the cattle can still graze when the weather is wet and sloppy.”

He added producers also need a water source to make this system work.

The researchers are replicating the study this winter. Half of this year’s herd will graze the wheat throughout the season while the other half will be removed from the field prior to the wheat jointing. This will allow researchers to see if and how much the cattle hurt grain yields. They will fence off cattle from a portion of the field so a yield comparison can be made.

Source: Press release courtesy of UK College of Agriculture

Three scholarships will be awarded to the winners of an Equine Art Contest to be held at Kentucky Round-Up on February 2, 2013. The Children’s Art Academy of Fort Thomas, Kentucky will award two scholarships of $2,000 each to the winners of a contest for ages five through 15. The AIC College of Design of Cincinnati will offer one $10,000 scholarship to be awarded to the winner of a contest for ages 16 and older. ”Throughout the ages, the horse has been a subject of many great works of art, and that tradition continues into the 21st century”, said Anna Zinkhon, President of the Kentucky Horse Council. “We recognize the value of the arts to our equine culture and would like to encourage children and adults to express the beauty of the horse through the visual arts.”

Entries for the contest must be delivered by 12:00 noon to the Kentucky Round-Up event at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. Acceptable media for the contest are drawings and paintings. The results of the judged contest will be announced at 3:00 pm.

Admission to this February 2nd equestrian event is FREE for children 12 and younger and $10 in advance for adults ($15 at the door); youth groups receive free admission with half-price tickets available for youth leaders. An evening concert featuring well-known Kentucky country music artist, John Michael Montgomery, closes the event with tickets available through Ticket Master.

For more information about Kentucky Round-Up and ticket information, visit www.kentuckyroundup.com.

For more information about the Children’s Art Academy, visit www.thechildrensart.com.
For more information about AIC College of Design, visit www.aic-arts.edu.

Cyndie Sirekis is director of news services at the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Several agricultural social media “rock stars” offered tips and encouragement to farmers and ranchers at a strategic engagement conference during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s recent Annual Meeting in Nashville.

“Social media allows us to be part of the conversation,” is how Ryan Goodman, a cattle rancher from Arkansas who created the AgricultureProud.com blog put it. Goodman is also a guest contributor to CNN’s Eatocracy blog. He noted that consumers are “already talking about what we’re doing on the farm and ranch.” He has discovered that social media is an effective means of allowing farmers and ranchers to have direct access to people with questions.

Zach Hunnicutt, a Nebraska farmer who was recently elected chairman of AFBF’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee, has found that he can be an advocate for agriculture by giving a tour of his farm every day using Facebook and Instagram.

“Be positive all the time, and be passionate when advocating for agriculture on social media,” Hunnicutt advised farmers thinking about engaging in social media. Passion about what you do on the farm or ranch will draw people in, he said.

“Be consistent with social media and you will build community,” said Katie Pinke, author of the Pinke Post blog. Especially if you’re just starting out, concentrating on doing just one or two things well is the way to go, she advised.

Pinke, who started her blog several years ago as a “lonely pregnant woman on the prairie trying to find friends,” offered encouragement to those in agriculture who may be hesitant to get started in social media. And, what you do does not necessarily have to be fancy or flashy, she said.

All of the panelists have found that engaging in conversations on social media about non-farming subjects at least part of the time helps increase outreach. Cooking, recipes, kids, sports, music, travel and photography are among the topics they have successfully used for this.

Setting up a business page on Facebook for your farm is another strategy the panelists encourage. Having a business page means your farm can be found on Internet search engines. And it addresses privacy concerns many people have – you can share family photos and stories only on your personal page, for example.

Visit the Annual Meeting blog at http://farmbureau.wordpress.com for perspectives about social media and events in Nashville.

Source: Story courtesy of the American Farm Bureau Federation