Agriculture
Foreign ownership of U.S. farmland probed at U.S. Senate hearing
WASHINGTON — U.S. senators said during a Wednesday hearing that foreign ownership of U.S. farmland is a national security threat that should be further examined. The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry discussed foreign ownership of the nation’s agricultural lands, with testimony from experts and Senate colleagues who have been taking the lead […]
Community Farm Alliance head Martin Richards stepping down at end of year
Martin Richards, executive director of Kentucky’s Community Farm Alliance since 2010, will step down at the end of the year, according to a release from the Berea-based organization, which has launched a search for his successor. Kentucky farmers founded CFA in 1985 to support small family farms during an American farm crisis that resulted in […]
Was that chicken cutlet grown in a lab? These states want you to know.
Select U.S. restaurants have begun serving laboratory-grown chicken, spurring long wait times for reservations by diners curious to taste it. In June, the U.S. Department of Agriculture gave final approval for a few California-based companies to begin selling lab-produced chicken across the country. While it may be years before lab-grown meat is available at grocery […]
Hamming it up: Kentucky politicos gather for Kentucky Farm Bureau breakfast
LOUISVILLE — Per Kentucky State Fair tradition, the Kentucky Farm Bureau Country Ham Breakfast brought political rivals under one roof as an 18-pound prize-winning country ham was auctioned off for a charitable donation.? Coal executive Joe Craft and his wife, former United Nations Ambassador Kelly Craft, joined Central Bank in making a record $10 million […]
USDA’s climate grants for farms and forests run into Republican buzzsaw
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is spending more than $3 billion to cultivate more American farmers and forest landowners as partners to mitigate climate change — even while some Republicans on Capitol Hill try to stop the program entirely. The administration launched a new farm program, Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities, this year. It is […]
Online survey seeks Kentuckians’ ideas for new UK Extension programs
The?University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service is surveying Kentuckians to get ideas for new programs, according to a UK news release. “In addition to this survey, county extension agents will actively seek feedback through informal listening sessions, fostering close relationships with local communities,” said Laura Stephenson, UK associate vice president for land-grant engagement and associate […]
With Beshear absent, Cameron pitches himself as the rural candidate in farmer forum
Values was the word of the day as Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron addressed a crowd of Kentucky Farm Bureau board members and employees in its Measure-the-Candidate forum.? He pitched himself as a politician who embodies rural ideas and criticized the absence of his opponent in the gubernatorial race, incumbent Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear.? “Of […]
USDA to provide $33M for agriculture projects at 19 HBCU land-grant institutions
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture Monday announced $33 million in funding to 19 Historically Black Colleges and Universities designated as land-grant institutions to support research and education projects. The funding through USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture will support 82 projects in sustainable farming practices such as reducing use of plastics, enhancing […]
AppHarvest files for bankruptcy, will seek to transfer Berea operations to business partner
Kentucky-based agricultural technology company AppHarvest filed for bankruptcy amid doubts about the business’ future.?? The company, which has built some of the world’s largest indoor farms, announced plans Monday morning for “a financial and operational transition” that includes filing for bankruptcy. Recent media reports have highlighted turmoil associated with the company, such as a lease […]
Kentucky farmers deal with uncontrollable stressors. This mental health coalition helps.?
This story discusses suicide and mental health among farmers. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. You can also text “KY” to 741741.? A thousand hungry mouths must be fed before farmer Sarah Jones can eat.? Seven days a week — sometimes […]
Dollar stores, giant grocery chains push healthy food out of reach for many, activists say
“Efficiency” is a frequent justification for allowing corporations to consolidate vast swathes of the marketplace. But when it comes to food, huge grocery chains and ubiquitous dollar stores are limiting some rural and urban communities’ access to healthy food at the same time they bankrupt the farmers who produce it, members of a virtual panel […]
The late Bill Gatton’s latest gift to his alma mater is the largest in University of Kentucky history
LEXINGTON — The University of Kentucky on Thursday announced a $100 million gift, the largest in UK’s history, to the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. The gift is from the Bill Gatton Foundation, endowed by the late Carol Martin “Bill” Gatton, a businessman, investor and UK alum who gave generously to his alma mater. […]