For Immediate Release
March 13, 2002
Office of the Governor
Contact: John-Mark Hack (502) 564-4627 or Terri Giltner (502) 564-2611

Governor Patton Releases Long-Term Agricultural Development Plan:
Sets Course for Kentucky Farm Economy

Governor Paul Patton today announced the release of Cultivating Rural Prosperity: Kentucky’s Long-Term Plan for Agricultural Development during a press conference in the Capitol rotunda. Joined by Agriculture Commissioner Billy Ray Smith, several members of the General Assembly, members of the Agricultural Development Board and other agricultural leaders, Governor Patton told the crowd that the revitalization of a farm economy devastated by recent changes in the tobacco industry requires a long-term political and financial commitment.

“This plan will allow us to preserve the unique rural culture of our state that has been the mainstay of our values, the source of our work ethic and the strength of our people, “ Governor Patton said. “As changes have occurred in the tobacco industry, our farm families and rural communities have struggled to adapt in ways that allow them to stay on their farms and in their rural communities. This plan provides the initial blueprint for creating the farm-based economic activity that would enable our farm families to do just that.”

Governor Patton described an extensive process of public participation that produced the plan. County Agricultural Development Councils in all 120 counties each produced plans for the future of agriculture in their respective communities. Eleven regional meetings were held across the state during which over 600 participants were asked to think across county lines about the most pressing needs in their areas. A series of state-level meetings involving farmers, teachers, ministers, university personnel, medical professionals, state government officials, business people and many others provided opportunities for the development of a statewide approach to addressing the issues raised in the county and regional plan development sessions.

“This long-term plan was produced by a process that sought the input of everyone who was interested in contributing to it. Our county agricultural development councils, comprised of 8 volunteer members in every county of the Commonwealth, built the foundation of this long-term plan with the county plans they have compiled over the past 18 months,” Governor Patton told the crowd.

The plan identifies six major areas of focus and proposes specific steps for addressing each area. Market development for Kentucky farm products was the most important need identified by those people participating in the development of the document. Expanding access to capital for farmers diversifying their farm operations and agri-businesses looking to expand value-added processing in the state is a top priority as well. The plan also calls for continuation and expansion of financial incentives for environmental stewardship practices to control soil erosion, improve water quality and promote better management of timber stands.

Educational programs tailored specifically for farm families, with an emphasis on computer literacy and business development education, are crucial to sustaining the impact of financial investments made in agricultural diversification. The plan also calls for increased support for local leadership development efforts, providing financial assistance to county agricultural development councils and enhancing the Cooperative Extension Service network. Maintaining strong commitments to applied research in existing farm product areas, and research that explores the viability of high value markets in non-traditional areas rounds out the six priorities of the plan.

Copies of the document are available from the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy at (502) 564-4627, and on-line at www.kyagpolicy.com.

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