[♪♪] >> WELCOME TO KENTUCKY TONIGHT, I’M RYLAND BARTON, FILLING IN FOR RENEE SHAW THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

OUR TOPIC TONIGHT: AGRICULTURE IN KENTUCKY.

IT’S AN 8 BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY IN KENTUCKY ACCORDING TO THE 2022 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE.

KENTUCKY FARMERS COVER MORE THAN 12 MILLION ACRES, AS FARMERS PRODUCE EVERYTHING FROM POULTRY AND CATTLE•TO CORN AND SOYBEANS.

HOW ARE KENTUCKY FARMERS DOING, AND WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?

WE'RE STARTING OFF TONIGHT WITH A POLICY DISCUSSION ABOUT THE ISSUES CONFRONTING THE FARMING COMMUNITY.

WE’LL TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT OF TARIFFS ON THE STATE, LABOR AND IMMIGRATION, ATTEMPTS TO PROP UP FAMILY FARMS, AND POTENTIAL CHANGES TO KENTUCKY’S HEMP INDUSTRY.

TO BEGIN OUR DISCUSSION, WE’RE JOINED IN OUR LEXINGTON STUDIO BY: STATE SENATOR JASON HOWELL OF MURRAY, THE REPUBLICAN CHAIR OF THE KENTUCKY SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE.

AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHAD AULL OF LEXINGTON, WHO SERVES ON THE HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

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SEND AN EMAIL TO K-Y TONIGHT AT K-E-T DOT O-R-G. OR SUE THE WEB FORM AT K-E-T DOT O-R-G SLASH K-Y TONIGHT.

OR YOU CAN CALL 1-800-494-7605.

WELCOME TO OUR GUESTS.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> WANTED TO START TALKING ABOUT TARIFFS.

IT'S SOMETHING WE'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT THIS YEAR A LOT OF CHANGING BENCHMARKS AND A LOT OF NEGOTIATING GOING ON BACK AND FORTH AND HAD FOLKS IN KENTUCKY WATCHING FARMERS WATCHING WHERE THIS IS GOING TO LAND.

AND I SHOULD SAY THIS IS STILL IN THE PROCESS OF NEGOTIATIONS.

LOOKS LIKE OUR NEXT LINE IS AUGUST 1.

THE NEW TARIFFS COME IN, SOYBEANS, BOURBON, LIVESTOCK COULD GET CAUGHT IN THE CROSSHAIRS.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM KENTUCKY FARMERS SHOULD THEY BE WORRIED ABOUT THIS?

>> THANK YOU.

IT IS AN ISSUE THAT IS CHANGING BY THE MINUTE.

IT'S ALMOST PREMATURE TO WEIGH-IN IT WHATEVER THE LANDSCAPE IS RIGHT NOW MAYBE DIFFERENT THIS TIME TOMORROW.

COSTLY CONCERN I AM NOT AWARE THAT A TRADE WAR HAS EVER BEEN POSITIVE FOR PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE IN THE COUNTRY.

BUT IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO HAVE WINNERS AND LOSERS IN IT.

COULD OPEN UP ADDITIONAL MARKETS PART OF THE NEGOTIATIONS COULD REMOVE SOME OF THE BARRIERS FOR GMO PRODUCTS THAT OUR PRODUCERS HAVE BEEN DOING IT IS CAUTIOUS OPTIMISTIC AND TAKE A WAIT-AND-SEE APPROACH UNTIL THINGS CALM DOWN AND WE HAVE DEFINITE TRADE ANNOUNCEMENTS TO MAKE.

>> AND REPRESENTATIVE YOUR DISTRICT INCLUDES THE BOURBON INDUSTRY, HORSE INDUSTRY FOLKS HAVE BEEN SAYING THEY ARE WORRIED THE TARIFFS WILL AFFECT THEM.

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST CONCERN FOR FOLKS IS THE UNCERTAINTY.

TARIFFS ON, TARIFFS ARE OFF.

THIS PERCENTAGE NOW REDUCED NOW BACK ON BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT'S HAD A DISAGREEMENT WITH SOMEBODY AND THEY'VE TRIPLED.

IT'S HARD FOR BUSINESS FOLKS AND FARMERS TO PLAN THEIR OPERATION WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO WHAT THEIR FUTURE LOOKS LIKE WHEN THERE'S UNCERTAINTY IN THE FUTURE OF THEIR ACTUAL BUSINESS.

WE THINK ABOUT TARIFFS AND THINK ABOUT THE PERCENTAGES BUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE'S LIVELIHOODS, THEIR FARMS AND BUSINESSES PASSED DOWN FOR GENERATIONS AND MESSING WITH THEIR PRODUCTIVITY AND WHAT THEY ARE ABLE TO PASS ON AND THESE PEOPLE AND THEIR LIVES.

THE UNCERTAINTY IS A DEEP CONCERN FOR MANY PEOPLE.

YOU LOOK AT THE TARIFFS YOU MENTIONED BOURBON WE'VE SEEN BROWN FOREMAN LAYOFF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE.

THE INCREASE IN EUROPE WITH THE RETALIATORY TARIFFS BACK AND FORTD.

CANADA PULLING KENTUCKY BOURBON OFF SHELVES IT'S LOSE-LOSE-LOSE SITUATION AND WE NEED STABLE LEADERSHIP TO STEP BACK AND THINK HOW ARE THESE TARIFFS GOING TO AFFECT NOT ONLY THESE PEOPLE BUT OUR ECONOMY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME IN KENTUCKY.

AND THAT CONVERSATION'S NOT BEING HAD.

>> WE DO HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF THIS FROM THE FIRST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WHEN HE IMPOSED TARIFFS AND SIMILARLY COUNTRIES REACTED WITH THEIR RETALIATORY TARIFFS THINKING OF CHINA ENACTING TARIFFS ON SOYBEANS AND THREW A LOT OF WORRY INTO THE INDUSTRY AND ULTIMATELY IN THAT ROUND THERE WAS A BAILOUT PACKAGE ISSUED FOR FARMERS TO HELP THEM PROP UP THE INDUSTRY TO HELP DEAL WITH THAT FOR A LITTLE BIT.

DO YOU THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, HAPPEN THIS TIME AROUND?

WOULD FARMERS WELCOME TO TRY AND DEAL WITH THAT?

>> I THINK IT'S SOMETHING IT'S PREMATURE TO SAY BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH.

IN THE LAST ROUNDS OF TARIFFS, THERE WERE SOME THAT STAYED WITH THE STEEL AND ALUMINUM AND IT AFFECTED THE COST OF EQUIPMENT AND THIS SORT OF THING.

AND PEOPLE KEEP BUYING AND PEOPLE KEEP USING THEM AND PEOPLE WENT ON.

ONE THING THAT CANNOT BE UNDERESTIMATED IN PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE THE ONLY CONSISTENTSY IS INCONSISTENCY AND CHANGE AND PRODUCERS ARE ALWAYS HAVING TO DEAL WITH MARKET FACTORS WHETHER IT'S THE WEATHER, MARKETS IN SOME OF THE BUYING REGIONS.

AND THEY ARE AMAZINGLY ADAPTABLE TO CHANGE ESPECIALLY IN A SHORT-TERM STANDPOINT LIKE REPRESENTATIVE MENTIONED A MINUTE AGO.

BUT I THINK THAT OVER TIME, THEY WILL BE FINE.

>> IS THERE SOMETHING THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR -- OR THE STATE GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE TO STEP IN AND HELP OUT TO HELP FARMERS DEAL WITH THAT IF THEY ARE IN FACT LOSSES THAT FARMERS ARE FACING?

>> I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS DONE IN THE PAST AND COULD DO IN THE FUTURE BUT WE SHOULDN'T NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT.

IF THE PRESIDENT WOULD BACK AWAY FROM THE TARIFF CONVERSATION WE WOULDN'T BE TALKING ABOUT THIS TONIGHT.

IT WOULDN'T BE A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION AND IT WASN'T IN THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION AND IT SHOULDN'T BE MOVING FORWARD.

THERE IS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AGAINST TARIFFS.

THERE'S BEEN NO ADMINISTRATION SINCE PREVIOUS TO THE GREAT DEPRESSION WHO HAS THOUGHT INSTITUTING TARIFFS WAS A GOOD, SOUND ECONOMIC POLICY IT'S BAD FOR OUR FARMERS, FAMILIES AND THE ECONOMY OF KENTUCKY.

WE ARE THE NUMBER ONE STATE IN THE COUNTRY THE GDP IS IMPACTED BY IMPORTS.

ALMOST 30% OF KENTUCKY'S GDP IS RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION AND IMPORTS YOU THINK ABOUT U.P.S.

AND THE GLOBAL LEADER WE ARE IN THE ECONOMY AND THE AMOUNT OF CARS WE PRODUCE BETWEENS TOYOTA AND WHAT IS HAPPENING IN BOWLING GREEN THE TARIFFS ON STEEL AND ALUMINUM THAT WAS TARIFFS ARE GOING TO AFFECT KENTUCKY MORE THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

WE SHOULD NOT BE DOING THIS.

>> I SHOULD SAY THE POLITICAL CONVERSATION IS COMPLEX IT SEEMS THERE'S BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION TO THIS ON THE SUPPORT SIDE.

AND STRAYS AWAY FROM AGRICULTURE BUT THE A.F.L.-C.I.O.

PRESIDENT UNITED AUTO WORKERS PRESIDENT HE HAS COME OUT IN SOME FORM OF THE MANUFACTURING TARIFFS TO HE THINKS IT'S GOING TO HELP ON-SHORE AMERICAN JOBS.

AND ON THE OPPOSITION SIDE WE'VE SEEN SENATOR McCONNELL AND SENATOR PAUL HAVE COME OUT AGAINST IN MANY FORMS AGAINST THE TARIFFS.

KENTUCKY IS IN A UNIQUE POSITION POLITICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY ABOUT THIS.

AND YOU TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS BEFORE, BUT ONCE AGAIN DO YOU THINK THERE'S LOOKING AHEAD, IF THIS ULTIMATELY DOES HAPPEN AUGUST 1, NEXT YEAR, YOU GUYS COME BACK AND START WRITING ANOTHER BUDGET IS THERE ANYTHING YOU THINK THAT STATE LAWMAKERS NEED TO BE PAYING ATTENTION TO TO TRY AND EASE THIS FOR FARMERS?

>> YEAH, I THINK THE ONE THING WE NEED TO FOCUS ON WE DON'T NEED TO BE REACTIVE IN AN ENVIRONMENT UNTIL THINGS SETTLE DOWN AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP A LONG VIEW APPROACH AND DO THINGS WE'VE STARTED DOING.

WE STARTED THROUGH THE PROCESS TWO YEARS AGO IN THE BUDGET AND THIS YEAR WITH SENATE BILL 28 THAT I SPONSORED TO PUT $5 MILLION INTO AG ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO BUILD OUT SOME OF OUR AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT INDUSTRY TO LOOK AT VERTICAL INTO AGRICULTURE THAT WILL HELP OUR KENTUCKY PRODUCERS HAVE A MARKET STABILITY NO MATTER WHAT THE OVERALL ENVIRONMENT IS.

FEDERALLY OR NATIONALLY OR INTERNATIONALLY.

>> CAN YOU TALK MORE WHAT YOU MEAN BY VERTICAL INTEGRATION THERE?

>> GRAINS WHAT WE PRODUCE, PRIMARILY ARE COMMODITIES.

WE SEND THOSE OUT.

WE SEND ALL OF OUR GRAIN IN WESTERN KENTUCKY NOT CONSUMED WITH POULTRY OR ETHANOL TO PORT OF NEW ORLEANS AND TYPICALLY OURS GO TO CHINA.

WE COULD GO AND MAKE MORE DECISIONS TO INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE TO CREATE END USER PRODUCTS FROM SOME OF OUR COMMODITIES IN STATE AND MAKE THE PRICE BETTER FOR OUR PRODUCERS.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK THE STATE COULD DO TO HELP THIS GOING FORWARD.

>> .

>> I WOULD BELIEVE IF YOU TALKED TO ANY FARMER THEY WOULD NOT WANT A HANDOUT WHETHER THE FEDERAL LEVEL OR THE STATE LEVEL ISSUING A BLANK CHECK IS NOT WHAT THEY WANT.

THEY WANT TO BE PAID FOR THEIR WORK.

PAID FOR THEIR PRODUCT.

SO WE CAN DO INNOVATIVE THINGS OTHER STATES HAVE DONE.

I'VE INTRODUCED LEGISLATION THE COUNTRY PROUD SCHOOL MATCH BILL PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS PARTICIPATING IN THE COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY PROGRAM TO PROVIDE LOCAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS GROWN THERE IN THEIR COMMUNITY TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM FOR LUNCH AND BREAKFAST.

IT IS A WIN FOR LOCAL FARMERS AND WIN FOR YOUR LOCAL ECONOMY AND WIN FOR YOUR SCHOOLS BECAUSE YOU WILL HAVE FRESH PRODUCE THAT IS A PART OF THE LUNCH PROGRAM.

THERE ARE INNOVATIVE THINGS LIKE THAT THAT THE LEGISLATURE COULD DO TO INCENTIVIZE WHERE SPENDING IS ALREADY OCCURRING TO INTEGRATE MORE LOCAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS INTO THOSE THINGS.

>> I WANT TO SHIFT GEARS AND TALK ABOUT AFFORDABILITY IN FARMING.

OR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF PEOPLE BECOMING FARMERS AND WHAT THE STATE IS TRYING TO DO TO HELP THAT.

ACCORDING TO THE LATEST AGRICULTURAL CENSUS IT'S 2022 STILL IT SHOWS A LARGER TREND HAPPENING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF FARMS IN KENTUCKY DROPPED BY 8.6% OVER FIVE YEARS BETWEEN 2017-2022.

AND THERE'S BEEN WORRIES ON THAT JUST HOW THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE IS OF FARMING IN KENTUCKY NOT ONLY THE LAND BUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN IT.

AND ALSO THE AGE OF PEOPLE IN IT.

THERE ARE FEWER YOUNGER PEOPLE GETTING INTO IT THE AVERAGE AGE OF FARMERS JUMPED UP FROM 56 TO 57 YEARS OLD.

BUT WHAT ARE SOME WAYS WHICH YOU ARE THINKING WITH HOW TO HELP PEOPLE GET INTO THIS INDUSTRY?

AND HELP PEOPLE IN IT, HELP AFFORD TO STILL BE FARMERS?

>> IT IS A DIFFICULT SITUATION.

THERE ARE HIGH COST BARRIERS TO ENTRY FOR PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE NO MATTER THE LEVEL.

A COUPLE THINGS WE'VE TRIED TO DO IS TAX INCENTIVES FOR PEOPLE RETIRING OUT OF FARMING.

WE'RE LOSING FARMERS AT 54, 57 DOESN'T SEEM THAT OLD BUT ACROSS AN INDUSTRY IT IS AN AGING INDUSTRY.

WE'VE TRIED TO BUILD IN TAX CREDITS TO BE ABLE TO INCENTIVIZE PEOPLE GETTING OUT OF PRODUCTION TO SELL THEIR LAND TO SELL TO PEOPLE IN PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE AND GOING TO BE FOR A LONGTIME.

WE STARTED THAT OUT FOR A BEGINNING FARMER PROGRAM AND THIS YEAR EXPANDED BOTH THE AMOUNT OF TAX CREDIT OUT AND EXPANDED THE DEFINITION OF A BEGINNING FARMER OUT TO SEE IF WE COULD GET MORE INTEREST IN SUSTAINABILITY FOR PRODUCTION ACT.

>> AND WHAT DO YOU THINK?

WHAT ARE WAYS THE STATE SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT TRYING TO GET MORE PEOPLE INTO FARMING OR MAKING IT AFFORDABLE FOR PEOPLE TO STAY IN IT?

>> WE HAVE TO LOOK ACROSS THE BOARD AT EVERYTHING.

WHAT SENATOR HOWELL SAID AND THE EXPANSIONS WITH THE TAX CREDITS IS A GOOD START BUT THOSE TAX CREDITS WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT HAVING TO GET IN AND BUY SEVERAL HUNDRED ACRES TO PRODUCE AGRICULTURE ON THE SCALE THAT YOU HAVE TO PRODUCE IT NOW TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A LIVING, IT'S REALLY JUST NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR SOMEBODY NOT IN AGRICULTURE TO STEP INTO IT.

THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT WE'RE FACING NOT JUST IN KENTUCKY, BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN MULTIPLE PROFESSIONS.

IN EVERY COMMITTEE I'M IN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HOW CAN WE GET MORE PEOPLE TO DO X, Y AND Z WHETHER IT'S BE A VETERINARIAN OR NURSE OR WELDERS OR ELECTRICIANS WE JUST NEED MORE PEOPLE IN THE WORKFORCE IN GENERAL.

AND NOW FARMING ESPECIALLY A PART OF THAT.

BUT IT'S PART OF A LARGER CONVERSATION HOW DO WE GET MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE WORKFORCE.

I TELL YOU, I THINK, ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS WE CAN DO TO GET MORE PEOPLE IN THE WORKFORCE AND AFFORD TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE IS TO SUPPORT GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S PRE-K FOR FOUR-YEAR-OLDS ACROSS THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

AND A LOT OF RURAL COMMUNITIES IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND CHILDCARE.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE FOR EVERYBODY.

NOW, WHETHER YOU ARE IN A RURAL COMMUNITY OR URBAN SETTING, CHILDCARE IS A REAL PROBLEM ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

IT IS A CHALLENGE.

AND SO IF WE PUT EVERY FOUR YEAR OLD IN PRESCHOOL IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY IT TAKES THAT ISSUE OFF THE TABLE AND IT LETS THOSE FOLKS TAKING CARE OF THOSE KIDS REENTER THE WORKFORCE.

WE NEED MORE PEOPLE IN ALL OF THESE POSITIONS AND I THINK THAT IS THE BIGGEST THING WE CAN DO IN THE COMMONWEALTH TO HELP SOLVE THAT PROBLEM A LITTLE BIT AT EVERY LEVEL.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK?

UNIVERSE TALL PRE-K?

>> I WAS A LARGE FIVE-YEAR-OLD AND TRIED TO DRIVE A TRUCK AND TRACKER AT THAT AGE I'M NOT SURE ALL OF US ARE READY FOR THAT.

BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT BEING IT IS A DROP IN THE BUCKET WITH THE TAX CREDIT THING AND THAT'S TRUE BUT THERE IS NO ONE THING WE CAN DO TO ELIMINATE A PROBLEM WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER AND PUSH FROM ALL DIRECTIONS.

MAYBE INCENTIVIZING THE SALE OF LAND TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO GO INTO FARMING IN A NEW MARKET FOR VEGETABLES AND FARM TO TABLE ISSUES AND TAKE AG DEVELOPMENT FUND AND KIND OF POOL RESOURCES FROM THE STATE.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY ONE SILVER BULLET TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND TAKE THE THINGS WE'RE DOING AND ADD TO IT WE CAN MAKE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE.

>> PART OF THE STUDY SHOWED THAT THE FARMS AVERAGE REMAINING FARMS ARE LARGER FARMS.

THIS IS A BROAD QUESTION, BUT WHAT ROLE DOES THAT SMALL FARMER THAT WE OFTEN THINK ABOUT, WHAT ROLE DOES AT THAT TIME SMALL FARMER STILL PLAY IN KENTUCKY AND THE KENTUCKY ECONOMY?

IS IT REALLY AS VIABLE OF A VOCATION FOR FOLKS TO GET INTO THESE DAYS?

>> WELL, IT'S INTERESTING DEPENDS WHERE YOU'RE JUDGING YOUR SIZE OF YOUR FARM FROM.

IT'S INTERESTING WHEN I WAS GROWING UP MY DAD WAS A LARGE FARMER IN FULTON COUNTY AND FARMED ROUGHLY 1800 ACRES AND RETIRED AT 72 HE WAS A SMALL FARMER AND DOUBLED THE SIZE OF HIS OPERATION.

3600 ACRES IS DIFFICULT IN A ROW CROP OPERATION BUT 36 ACRES CAN BE MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR A FARM TO TABLE SETUP.

IT DEPENDS WHERE YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO PRODUCE OUT OF THAT ACREAGE WITH YOUR OPERATION.

>> WHAT ROLE DOES THAT SMALL FARMER PLAY IN KENTUCKY AT THIS POINT?

>> THEY NEED TO COLLECTIVELY USE THEIR VOICE THROUGH CONTACTING THEIR LEGISLATURE, CONTACTING THEIR COMMUNITY, WORKING WITH THEIR EXTENSION AGENTS THINGS OF THAT NATURE TO SEE HOW CAN THEY SURVIVE, HOW CAN THEY BE PROFITABLE AND MOST SMALL FARMERS THEY DON'T FARM FULL-TIME.

THAT IS THEIR SECOND JOB.

A LOT OF THEM HAVE TO WORK OFF THE FARM TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD HEALTHCARE, A LOT WORK IN A FACULTY AND HOBBY FARM AND WORK ON THE WEEKEND.

THERE IS A PLACE FOR THAT.

FARMING IS THE FABRIC OF OUR HISTORY AND OUR SOCIETY AND OUR CULTURE IN KENTUCKY.

BUT IT'S BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT EVERYDAY FOR SMALL FARMERS TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE ANYWHERE.

>> IS PART OF IT AS MUCH OF A MARKET FOR IT?

A PLACE FOR THAT SMALL FARMER?

ONE TO BE ABLE TO FIND THE MARKET TO SELL THOSE COMMODITIES AND THEN ALSO FOR THAT TO BE MAKING ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY FOR WHATEVER IT IS THE LEASE ON THEIR LAND?

>> IT DEPENDS WHAT COMMODITY YOU ARE SELLING.

YOU CAN HAVE A SMALLER FARM IF YOU ARE DOING PRODUCE.

IF YOU ARE ARE PARTICIPATING IN YOUR LOCAL FARMERS MARKET AND GOING DOWN TO THE COUNTY SQUARE AND DOING THAT, YOU CAN HAVE A SMALLER OPERATION AND BE SUCCESSFUL.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS GOING TO HURT THAT IS THE CUTS TO SNAP.

THESE RECENT CUTS TO SNAP IN THE BIG WHATEVER BILL, THOSE FARMERS MARKETS ARE DRIVEN IN LOCAL COMMUNITY BY SNAP DOLLARS AND YOU HAVE THE DOUBLE DOLLARS PROGRAM WHICH IF YOU USE YOUR SNAP DOLLARS IT DOUBLES THE AMOUNT OF PRODUCE YOU CAN GET.

THE SNAP CUTS WILL BE DEVASTATING ON LOCAL COMMUNITIES, LOCAL FARMERS, LOCAL GROCERS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT $1.3 BILLION IMPACT IN KENTUCKY.

>> I'M SLIGHTLY MORE BEARISH THAN THE REPRESENTATIVE.

I THINK THAT THE SMALL PRODUCER ON 30 ACRES ARE THE NEW FACE OF YOUNG PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE IN THE STATE.

AND I THINK THAT A LOT OF THE PROGRAMS ARE IN PLACE WITH THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ESPECIALLY WITH THE COMMISSIONER WHO FITS INTO THIS AS WELL, PUMPKINS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THEY PRODUCE ON THEIR FARM.

IT IS A NICHE MARKET.

NOT TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURE AS WE KNOW IT IN PARTS OF THE STATE BUT IT IS SOMETHING WITH THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S HELP AND KENTUCKY PROUD PROGRAM WITH ALL OF THE EFFORTS THEY ARE DOING TO ASSIST WITH MARKETING FOR THESE PRODUCERS, I THINK WE'RE SEEING MORE DENSITY AND MORE VOLUME COME IN WITH OUR SMALL PRODUCERS IN THOSE AREAS.

>> JUST ASK THIS QUESTION, I THINK SOME PEOPLE WATCHING THIS, MIGHT BE YOUNGER PERSON WHO IS MAN, I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO THAT.

AND DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR HOW SOMEBODY MIGHT GET INTO IT?

BECOME A FARMER?

>> JOIN FFA.

THAT IS THE BIGGEST SINGLE POINT THAT ANY YOUNG PERSON ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE NOT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL YET THEY CAN DO TO FIGURE OUT IF FARMING IS THE LIFE FOR THEM.

HOW THEY CAN GET INTO IT, LEARN LEADERSHIP SKILLS, LEARN THE INS AND OUTS OF AGRICULTURE.

IF YOU ARE NOT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL YET JOIN FFA.

>> I WOULD SAY THAT.

FFA I WOULD JOIN AND REPRESENTATIVE AULL THERE.

THE SINGLE GREAT HE HAVE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TOOL THAT KENTUCKY HAS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO WORK FOR SOMEONE IN AN INDUSTRY YOU WANT TO DO.

IT IS NOT GLOM RUSS IT IS A LOT OF HARD WORK AND STUDY THE ECONOMICS OF IT, TOO.

SOMETHING THAT CAN BE REWARDING AND VERY PROFITABLE.

BUT THERE IS A LOT OF WORK AND YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING THAT GOES INTO THIS BEFORE YOU JUMP INTO THAT ARENA.

>> SO PART OF THAT AGING FARMING POPULATION THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, LEADS TO THE LABOR SHORTAGE, PART OF IT IS THE DEMANDING NATURE OF THE WORK.

SOMETIMES CONSIDER TO BE UNATTRACTIVE TO YOUNGER GENERATIONS.

SO KENTUCKY'S AGRICULTURE ECONOMY MANY WAYS RECENT YEARS HAS BEEN BOOMING.

A LOT HAS BEEN RELIANT ON IMMIGRANT LABOR FOLKS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES WHO COME HERE, TEMPORARY VISAS, THE H2A VISTA TO -- VISA TO WORK HERE THERE HAVE BEEN CONCERNS IN THE RECENT JUST OVER THE RECENT MONTHS OF THE IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN AND FOLKS CONCERNED BEING ABLE TO HAVE THAT LABOR FORCE IN KENTUCKY.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU'VE BEEN HEARING FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS THAT THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO HAVE THAT RELIABLE SOURCE OF FOLKS WORKING ON THEIR FARMS?

>> HAVEN'T HEARD IT FROM MY AREA OF THE STATE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WORKERS THAT COME THROUGH THE H2A PROGRAM AND THAT SEEMS TO BE FOR RIGHT NOW, IN SOLID HANDS IN SOLID SHAPE.

WE DON'T HAVE AS MUCH LABOR INTENSIVE AGRICULTURE IN WEST KENTUCKY AS OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE.

I HAVE NOT HEARD THAT MANY PEOPLE BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN ON THEIR ABILITY TO HAVE ENOUGH FARM LABOR FOR THEIR NEEDS.

>> HOW ABOUT YOU?

>> I HAVE A DIFFERENT STORY THERE.

OF COURSE, I HAVE HEARD IT PERSONALLY BOTH IN THE EQUINE INDUSTRY AND BACK HOME WHERE I'M FROM.

I THINK THAT MOST PEOPLE WOULD AGREE THAT IF YOU'VE GOT A CRIMINAL RECORD IF YOU ARE HERE, YOU SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF.

BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING IMPACTED DO NOT FIT INTO THAT BUCKET.

WE HAVE PEOPLE HERE LEGALLY WHO HAPPEN TO BE OF A CERTAIN DISSENT WHO ARE SCARED TO GO TO WORK BECAUSE OF THE RAIDS THAT ARE HAPPENING BY I.C.E.

THEY ARE NOT USING THE COURT SYSTEM THEY ARE NOT GETTING WARRANTS NOT DOING IT LEGALLY.

JUST THE OTHER DAY THEY ARRESTED WITHOUT A WARRANT, A UNITED STATES ARMY VETERAN WHILE HE WAS WORKING AT A FARM.

I MEAN THESE ARE ILLEGAL RAIDS ON U.S. CITIZENS JUST BECAUSE OF THE WAY THEY LOOK.

I DON'T THINK THAT ANYBODY WITH REASON WOULD SAY THAT THAT IS OKAY.

SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO WE NEED TO CALM DOWN, WE NEED TO STEP BACK AND TALK ABOUT HOW THAT POLICY ARE IMPACTING FAMILIES, AND ACTUAL PEOPLE.

IT'S NOT JUST STATS.

IT'S JUST NOT THIS PERCENTAGE OR THAT PERCENTAGE OR THIS MANY PEOPLE WE ARE IMPACTING PEOPLE'S LIVES AND THEY ARE SCARED TO GET UP AND GO TO WORK.

AND, YEAH, THAT IS GOING TO CAUSE A LOT OF HURT ON OUR ECONOMY.

BUT IT'S MUCH BIGGER THAN THAT.

IF THAT IS THE ONLY THING WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT IT SAYS A LOT ABOUT WHO WE ARE AS A PERSON.

>> IS THE FARMING COMMUNITY TRYING TO ORGANIZE AROUND THIS ISSUE?

>> I KNOW THAT THEY ARE DOING AUDITS TO MAKE SURE THE PAPERWORK IS IN PLACE AND MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE UPDATED FORMS AND VISAS AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE IN CASE THEY HAVE A RAID THAT THEY ARE READY.

I KNOW THEY ARE ACTIVELY TALKING ABOUT IT.

BUT THE PROBLEM IS EVEN IF THEY HAVE ALL THE RIGHT PAPERWORK, THEY ARE HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING THE PEOPLE TO SHOW UP TO WORK BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT PAPERWORK WHEN YOU ARE GETTING RAIDED WITH NO LEGAL BEARINGS HELD IN A CELL FOR DAYS ON END WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO CONTACT YOUR ATTORNEY.

WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS WRONG AND ILLEGAL.

PEOPLE EVEN HERE LEGAL STATUS THEY ARE NOT SHOWING UP BECAUSE THEY ARE SCARED FOR THEIR LIFE.

>> NEXT, I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF HEMP IN KENTUCKY THIS IS A SIGNATURE INDUSTRY IN KENTUCKY AND HAS BEEN FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.

THE 2818 FARM -- 2018 LEGALIZED HEMP PRODUCT SON AND LED TO A BOOM IN HEMP PRODUCTS INCLUDING CBD AND LED TO THE BOOM IN DELTA 8, DELTA 9 MORE INTOXICATING VERSIONS OF HEMP.

COMPARABLE TO THC FOUND IN CANNABIS OR MARIJUANA.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL IS TRYING TO CLOSE THAT LOOPHOLE THAT ALLOWED THE DELTA 8 AND DELTA 9 IN THE FEDERAL FARM BILL.

AND GOT HEMP FARMERS WORRIED THIS IS GOING TO CLOSE OFF THE INDUSTRY AGAIN.

THAT REALLY HAPPENED FOR THE LAST 100 YEARS.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU ARE HEARING FROM HEMP FARMERS AND WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT ATTEMPT TO CLOSE THAT LOOPHOLE?

>> I'VE READ SOME ABOUT SENATOR McCONNELL'S BILL.

ONE OF THE THINGS I LIKE IS IT DELAYS IMPLEMENTATION FOR A YEAR TO BRING ALL PARTIES TO THE TABLE TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS WHY HE PUT THAT WITH THE DELTA 8 AND DELTA 9 AND UNREGULATED PRODUCTS GOING IN.

WE DID SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THIS THIS YEAR IN THE SESSION WITH SENATE BILL 202 THAT JULIE RAQUE ADAMS SPONSORED I WORKED WITH HER ON THAT ON THE THC BEVERAGES THAT HAVE COME IN UNREGULATED TO GET STANDARDIZATION IN THERE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE TRANSPARENCY ON KNOWING HOW MUCH THC WAS IN A PRODUCT.

AND TO BE ABLE TO BRING THEM INTO THE PROPER SYSTEM.

THE BEST THING ABOUT THAT BILL IS IT BROUGHT EVERYBODY TO THE TABLE AND FORCED A COMPROMISE.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING WE WILL REVISIT IN THE NEXT SESSION AND CLEAN UP ISSUES BUT IT ADDRESSED THE IMMEDIATE CONCERN.

AND I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE BEST PARTS OF SENATOR McCONNELL'S BILL IT IDENTIFIES THE ISSUES HE WANTS TO ADDRESS AND GIVES TIME FOR ALL THE PARTIES TO WORK THROUGH THE PARTICULARS.

>> ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THAT CLOSING LOOPHOLE WOULD DO TO THE INDUSTRY?

>> WELL, YOU ASKED IF I'VE HEARD FROM FARMERS OR ANYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THAT, NOT DIRECTLY I HAVE NOT.

SENATOR HOWELL WAS TALKING ABOUT THE WEED WATER BILL.

>> YOU USE THE TERM.

>> MANY THINGS IN THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE WHEN I CHOSE TO SERVE I DID NOT THINK I WOULD BE REGULATING WEED WATER BUT HERE WE ARE.

YOU KNOW, I THINK WHEN YOU TAKE A STEP BACK AND YOU GO THIS KENTUCKY'S AGRICULTURAL BASE WAS BUILT MOSTLY ON TOBACCO AND HORSES AND CATTLE WAY BACK IN THE DAY AND GRAIN CAME ALONG AND SO ON.

OUR CULTURE A LOT WAS BUILT ON TOBACCO AND WHEN WE PASSED THE TAB 0 CO-BUYOUT BILL IT WAS ABOUT DIVERSIFICATION, DIVERSIFICATION WHETHER PEOPLE WERE GOING TO GO INTO FRUITS AND VEGETABLES WHATEVER THE NEW COMMODITY MAYBE, HEMP IS SOMETHING THAT HAS COME ALONG RECENTLY THAT ADDS ANOTHER TOOL IN THE TOOL BELT FOR FARMERS TO BE ABLE TO DIVERSIFY.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TRYING TO MAKE IT WHERE MORE PEOPLE CAN JOIN IN IN AGRICULTURE THAT IS ONE MORE WAY THEY CAN JOIN IN.

I HAD A FRATERNITY BROTHER WHO SIGNED UP AND BECAME A HEMP FARMER IN LINCOLN COUNTY BECAUSE IT WAS ONE WAY HE COULD STAY IN THE PRODUCTION AGRICULTURAL SPACE.

WE'VE GOT TO COMPROMISE AND TALK TO FARMERS DOING IT AND SEE IF THAT PASSES, WOULD IT PUT YOU OUT OF BUSINESS AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO PREVENT THAT TO BRING MORE PEOPLE INTO THE AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY.

>> ONE QUESTION FROM A VIEWER DIANA, THANK YOU.

WHAT IS THE STATE DOING TO COMPLY WITH THE MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN AGENDA?

AND TRY AND REDUCE GMO PRODUCTION?

HOW CAN FARMERS PRODUCE MORE HEALTHY FOODS APPLIES TO ANIMALS FOR FOOD PRODUCTION.

IS THIS SOMETHING YOU HAVE BEEN CONSIDERING IN THE AG COMMITTEE'S AGENDA?

>> NOT THE MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN IN THE AG BECAUSE THERE IS A TASK FORCE THIS SUMMER THAT IS STUDYING SOME OF THOSE ISSUES.

I WOULD THINK THAT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK AT AND DEAL WITH.

BUT AS FAR AS THE FOODS THAT KENTUCKY PRODUCERS ARE PRODUCING I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG WITH WHAT WE ARE PRODUCING.

IT'S HEALTHY AND GOOD AND FALLS IN LINE WITH F.D.A.

REQUIREMENTS AND I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY RISK FOR ANYTHING THAT IS PRODUCED BY KENTUCKY FARMERS.

>> ANY COMMENT ON THAT?

>> I'VE HEARD NOTHING IN THE AG COMMITTEES ABOUT REGULATING OR LIMITING THE TYPES OF PRODUCE OR THE TYPES OF PRODUCTS THAT KENTUCKY FARMERS ARE OFFERING.

I WOULD THINK THE MORE WE COULD DO TO INCENTIVIZE LOCAL FARMERS TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE KENTUCKY PROUD PROGRAM AND TO GET THEIR PRODUCTS IN LOCAL STORES AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND THE FARMERS MARKETS I THINK A LOT OF THE GMO PRODUCTION WILL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, SENATOR HOWELL AND REPRESENTATIVE AULL.

WE WILL HEAR FROM FARMERS ABOUT THEIR LIVES AND AGRICULTURE AND CONCERNS WITH THE INDUSTRY ACCORDING TO THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE THERE ARE MORE THAN 69400 FARMS IN KENTUCKY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO RELY ON THE INDUSTRY FOR INCOME.

AS THE REST OF US RELY ON FARMERS FOR FOOD AND FIBER.

WHAT ISSUES ARE ARE OF CONCERN TO THEM?

THOSE WHO FARMING IS A WAY OF LIFE.

KET'S LAURA ROGERS SPENT TIME WITH TWO KENTUCKY FARMERS TO LEARN WHAT IS ON THEIR MINDS.

>> IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY.

>> WARREN COUNTY FARMER MARK CHAPMAN WAS RAISED ON THIS FARM TODAY HE GROWS 2,000 ACRES OF CORN, SOYBEANS AND WHEAT.

>> WEATHER HAS BEEN LIKE NO YEAR I CAN REMEMBER.

>> 2025 HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME THE WETTEST YEAR ON RECORD FOR KENTUCKY.

>> WE'VE HAD SEVERAL ACRES WE CAN'T GET PLANTED BECAUSE OF FLOODING AND WE'VE HAD WIND DAMAGE WE HAD WINDSTORMS WITH WINDS ABOVE 50-90-MILES-PER-HOUR.

>> ANOTHER CONCERN INFLATION AND RISING PRICES.

FARM MACHINERY ALREADY AN EXPENSIVE INVESTMENT.

>> I'M LOOKING AT MACHINES THAT ARE 50% MORE EXPENSIVE NOW THAN FIVE YEARS AGO.

>> IT FOLLOWS A DECADE OF PROFITABILITY THAT CHAPMAN SAYS MAY HELP SUSTAIN FARMERS THROUGH GROWING FINANCIAL PRESSURE.

>> IN 2013-2023 WAS PROBABLY MAYBE THE MOST PROFITABLE TIME PERIOD CERTAINLY IN MY LIFETIME BUT MY DAD'S LIFETIME AND HE IS 87.

THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND GOING INTO THIS YEAR THINGS ARE PRETTY TIGHT.

>> CROP PRICES DROPPED DUE TO MORE SUPPLY AND LESS DEMAND MOST INPUTS STAYED THE SAME COUPLE THAT WITH GLOBAL INSTABILITY.

WHEN YOU HAVE UNSTABLE WORLD YOU HAVE UNSTABLE MARKETS.

>> AND IT WOULD BE HARD FOR YOUNG FARMERS STARTING OUT.

>> YOU HAVE TO COME INTO AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE IT'S COMPETITIVE TRYING TO RENT LAND CASH RENTS ARE HIGH.

>> THE SUNS LOST MUCH OF THE EXPORT NARYK PO SOUTH AMERICA ESPECIALLY IN SOYBEANS UPDATING AG POLICY AND THE PASSAGE OF A NEW FARM BILL COULD HELP.

>> I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF PROACTIVE GOVERNMENT.

I LIKE SUPPLY AND DEMAND AND LET THINGS WORK THEMSELVES OUT.

BUT I DO WANT US TO BE IN A PLACE WE ARE NOT SHOOTING OURSELF IN THE FOOT WHEN IT COMES TO MARKET AND EXPORT OUR PRODUCTS.

>> OUR FAMILY'S OWNED THE FARM SINCE 1916.

MULTIPLE GENERATIONS OF FARMERS.

>> GINA'S GRANDFATHER WAS A FARMER ON THIS LAND.

>> FARM WORK IS INCREDIBLY CHALLENGING AND OFTENTIMES FRUSTRATING.

BUT IT'S VERY REWARDING WORK.

>> MAMMOTH VALLEY BEEF OPERATES A DIRECT TO CONSUMER FARM MODEL.

>> THE CATTLE ARE BORN ON THE FARM, COW CALF OPERATIONS.

>> SHE HAS 90 PAIRS AND IS COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABLE ETHICAL PRACTICES.

>> WE HAVE A STACK PAD WHICH IS A FACILITY WITH A CONCRETE FLOOR THAT WE FEED THE CATTLE ON WE PUT HAY ON THE STACK PAD AND COLLECT THE MA OUR AND HAVE THAT SPREAD BACK ON THE FIELDS AS FERTILIZER.

A LOT OF ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS TO THAT AS WELL.

>> SMITH SAYS GOOD PASTURE IS ESSENTIAL FOR HEALTHY CATTLE AND ROTATIONAL GRAZING AND LESS DEPENDENCE ON CORN AND GRAIN FOR FEED.

>> WE SAW FERTILIZER GO UP WITH THE TARIFFS, 15-20%.

THAT'S PLAYING INTO YOUR MARGIN YOUR PROFITS.

THE MAMA'S AND BABIES.

>> SHE IS WORRIED ABOUT THE FARMERS SELLING OFF THEIR LAND.

>> ONCE THAT FARMLAND IS GONE AND BECOMES A PARKING LOT YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET THAT BACK.

THAT FARMLAND IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO PROTECT.

BECAUSE ONCE IT'S GONE IT'S GONE.

>> SMITH SUPPORTS OTHER KENTUCKY GROWERS AND PRODUCERS BY SELLING THEIR PRODUCTS AT HER FARM STORE.

>> WE ARE FORTUNATE YOU CAN GROW AND MAKE SO MANY THINGS I'VE LEARNED SO MANY THINGS ABOUT LOCAL AGRICULTURE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

OURCHY CHIA FARMER IS FROM KENTUCKY AND OUR MAPLE SYRUP GUY.

WE NEED AG IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> HELPING THOSE COMMUNITIES BE HEALTHIER, STRONGER AND MORE ECONOMICALLY STABLE.

FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" I'M LAURA ROGERS.

>> THANK YOU.

OUR DISCUSSION ABOUT AGRICULTURE IN KENTUCKY CONTINUES WITH LEANDRA FORMAN, CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FOOD CHAIN A LEXINGTON NONPROFIT WORKING TO LOCALLY SOURCED FOOD AND SANDRA BALLEUR BARNES WITH THE COMMUNITY FARM ALLIANCE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE STILL WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU, YOU CAN SEND YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS BY X KNOWN AS TWITTER.

SEND AN E-MAIL AT KY TONIGHT AT KET.ORG OR USE THE WEB FORM AT KET.ORG/KY TONIGHT.

ARE YOU CAN CALL 1-800-294-7605.

WELCOME TO OUR GUESTS THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> THANK YOU FOR INVITING US.

>> START AND TALK ABOUT WHAT YOUR ORGANIZATIONS DO, SO CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FARM ALLIANCE AND SPECIFICALLY YOUR PROGRAM THE FRESH RX FOR MOMS PROGRAM THAT YOU WORK WITH.

>> YEAH, COMMUNITY FARM ALLIANCE WAS ORGANIZED BY FARMERS FOR FARMERS DURING THE FARM CREDIT CRISIS.

AND SO WE REPRESENT THE SMALL FARMER IN KENTUCKY.

WE ADVOCATE FOR THE FARMERS.

WE ARE A VOICE TO HELP ESTABLISH POLICIES, TO GET THEM INVOLVED IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES, SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS, BUY LOCAL, AND THAT'S OUR FOCUS AS WE ADVOCATE NOT ONLY FOR JUST POLICIES AROUND PRODUCE AND LIVESTOCK.

SO FRESH RX FOR MOMS IS A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES TO EXPECTANT MOMS DURING THEIR PREGNANCY.

WE KNOW THAT HAVING ACCESS TO FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN GENERAL INCREASES YOUR OVERALL HEALTH OUTCOME.

SO WE WANT TO IMPACT THOSE MOTHERS WHILE THEY ARE CARRYING THAT BABY SO THAT THEY HAVE THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME AND HEALTHY OUTCOMES FOR THE BABY AND POSTPARTUM AS WELL.

>> AND LEANDRA FORMAN TELL USES ABOUT WHAT FOOD TRAIN DOES.

>> IT IS A NONPROFIT BASED IN LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY.

WE WERE FOUNDED IN 2011 AND HAVE GROWN SINCE THEN FROM ACTUALLY BEING A FARM OURSELVES.

WE HAVE A 7,000 GALLON INDOOR AQUAPONIC FARM IN THE SAME BUILDING AS WEST EXPERIENCE AND SMITHTOWN SEAFOOD.

WE STARTED BY TEACHING PEOPLE ABOUT CREATIVE WAYS TO FARM IN URBAN ENVIRONMENTS AND IN 2017 ADDED OUR TEACHING KITCHEN FOCUSED ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY TO FOOD THROUGH ACCESS AND EDUCATION, TEACHING FOOD LITERACY PROGRAMS TO YOUTH ACROSS THE COUNTY AND REACHING OUT TO FARMERS AND TRYING TO HELP REDUCE WASTE STREAMS FOR FARMERS PURCHASING SECONDS AND SURPLUS PRODUCE AND TURNING THAT INTO MORE EASILY MARKETABLE PRODUCTS FOR KENTUCKY AND CONSUMERS.

AND IN 2020 WE PIVOTED AND BECAME KIND OF A CONNECTOR FOR A LOT OF YOUTH FEEDING PROGRAMS WITH KENTUCKY AGRICULTURE AS WELL AS OUR RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.

SO WE REALLY SCALED UP OUR SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM.

THAT'S A PROGRAM THAT IS RUN IN THE SUMMER, THE FUNDING COMES FROM THE USDA AND ADMINISTERED BY THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE MEALS TO YOUTH OUT OF SCHOOL.

A LOT OF YOUTH WHO WOULD RELY ON SCHOOL LUNCHES, TO MEET THEIR NUTRITION NEEDS.

THESE DIETS ARE ALL OVER FAYETTE COUNTY AND WE'RE PROVIDING MEALS NOT JUST NOURISHING AND FRESH BUT ALSO PUTTING DOLLARS DIRECTLY IN THE HANDS OF KENTUCKY FARMERS.

WE ARE SLATED TO OPEN UP A GROCERY STORE HERE IN FAYETTE COUNTY IN 2026.

AND WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO IMPACT FARMERS IN OVER 50 COUNTIES ACROSS THE STATE THROUGH ALL OF OUR DIFFERENT PROGRAMS.

>> DURING THE LAST SEGMENT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT NEW FARMERS THE FOLKS TRYING TO GET INTO THE INDUSTRY.

IN THAT BREAK WE WERE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE NEEDING TO LEARN HOW TO GET TRAINED UP TO BECOME CONSUMERS WHO MIGHT NOT BE AWARE OF WHAT IS OUT THERE.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT OR WHAT'S THE I DON'T KNOW I THINK THAT MIGHT NOT BE OBVIOUS TO A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT'S NOT EVEN PART OF THEIR DAILY HABITS.

HOW DO YOU HELP PEOPLE CREATE NEW HABITS WITH WHAT THEY EAT?

>> SO ONE OF THE PROGRAMS THAT COMMUNITY FARM ALLIANCE SPONSORS OR WORKS HEAVILY WITH IS OUR FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM.

AND SO WE PARTNER WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE OF KENTUCKY TO INTRODUCE FRESH PRODUCE TO STUDENTS.

LETTING THEM SAMPLE AND EDUCATING THEM ON WHERE THEIR LOCAL PRODUCE DOES COME FROM.

WHEN YOU ASK A QUESTION LIKE WHERE DOES YOUR FOOD COME FROM?

YOU KNOW, A LOT OF STUDENTS MIGHT SAY, DoorDash.

BUT REALLY WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

GIVING THEM THE EXPOSURE TO KNOW THAT IT IS ACTUALLY GROWN THIS PRODUCT THAT YOU ARE SAMPLING TODAY WAS GROWN ON A FARM IN KENTUCKY.

AND ALSO THROUGH PROGRAMS LIKE OUR URBAN ABOVE PLUS TWO PROGRAM WHERE EXPOSING YOUNG PEOPLE THAT HAVE A HEART FOR FARMING OR INTEREST IN FARMING, WE PARTNERED WITH FOOD CHAIN AS WELL AS SEED LEAF AND A LOCAL FARMER TWO SONS FARM TO EXPOSE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT MIGHT HAVE A HEART FOR FARMING TO EXPOSE THEM AND INTO HOW THEY CAN GET STARTED AND THE INS AND THE OUTS FROM PROMOTION TO PLANNING TO FORECASTING TO THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS AND THEN ALSO THE REALITY THAT SOMETIMES OUR WEATHER AFFECTS OUR PRODUCE.

AND HOW YOU CAN NAVIGATE ALL OF THAT TO BECOME A FARMER.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK?

HOW IS FOOD CHAIN TRYING TO TEACH PEOPLE, TRAIN THEM ABOUT HOW TO CONSUME?

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT ARE FOCUSED ON THIS.

AND SO WE HAVE FOOD LITERACY PROGRAMS THAT GO ON THE ROAD AND TAKE FOOD LITERACY TO THE YOUTH AS WELL AS FOCUSING ON CONNECTING IT WITH HEALTH METRICS AND CONNECTING IT WITH OUR RECOVERY COMMUNITY.

WE DO ALL OF OUR FOOD LITERACY PROGRAMS AROUND A FRAMEWORK OF DEVELOPING FOOD CURIOSITY.

ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS TALKING ABOUT INCREASING LOCAL FOOD CONSUMPTION IS REALLY TRYING TO CHANGE HABITS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BECOME RELIANT ON CONVENIENCE FOODS NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE WERE GIVEN EVERY OPTION OUT THERE AND THAT IS WHAT THEY CHOSE, BUT BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THEY HAVE GROWN-UP ON AND BECAUSE THAT IS ALL THAT HAS BEEN AVAILABLE TO THEM.

SO THE IDEA OF NOT LOOKING AT IT AS A FRAMEWORK OF HOW DO WE CHANGE PEOPLE'S HABITS BUT HOW DO WE INTRODUCE PEOPLE TO EXCITEMENT, CURIOSITY AND JOY THINKING ABOUT THEIR FOOD AND WHAT THEY ARE CHOOSING AND HOW THEY GET TO EXPLORE FLAVORS AND WORK WITH FOODS IN A WAY THAT THEY ARE EMPOWERED TO MAKE FOOD TASTE THE WAY THEY WANT IT TO TASTE.

AND UNDERSTAND HOW THOSE CHOICES ARE ACTUALLY NOURISHING THEIR BODY AND MAKING THEM STRONGER AND HAPPIER AND MORE ABLE TO ACHIEVE GOALS THAT THEY ARE INTERESTED IN.

SO THROUGH THOSE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS WE'RE ABLE TO HAVE THE DIRECT CONVERSATIONS.

BUT THEN THROUGH OUR FEEDING PROGRAMS WE'RE ALSO BUILDING EDUCATION INTO THAT.

SO THROUGH JUST THE ACT OF THE WAY WE LABEL FREE MEALS WE HANDOUT TO OUR COMMUNITY, A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE UNHOUSED ARE RECEIVING FRESH PRODUCE GROWN HERE IN KENTUCKY, BECAUSE OF THE COOKS AT FOOD CHAIN TAKING THAT PRODUCE AND TAKING THE TIME TO BREAK IT DOWN AND PUT IT INTO A CONSUMABLE FORM FOR THEM.

AND THEN THEY ARE COMING TO US AND SAYING I'M NOTICING CHANGES IN MY BODY I'M NOTICING THAT I FEEL BETTER.

BECAUSE WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT AT NO COST TO PEOPLE WHO WOULD OTHERWISE NOT BE ABLE TO EVER EAT A FRESH KENTUCKY GROWN ZUCCHINI AND PROGRAMS ENABLE US TO DEVELOP THAT ARE NOT JUST PUTTING MONEY IN FARMERS POCKETS BUT WE ARE BUILDING PEOPLE WHO SEE THE VALUE OF EATING THAT FRESH LOCAL FOOD BECAUSE WE ARE MAKING IT AVAILABLE TO THEM AT THEIR LEVEL AND THEY ARE ABLE TO GROW AND DEVELOP THEMSELVES TO SAY THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO BE EATING.

SO WE REALLY THINK ABOUT THAT AS A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IN KENTUCKY AGRICULTURE.

AND KIDS WHO ARE DEGREING UP BEING LIKE OH, I TRIED THESE TOMATOES THAT I GREW AT MY SCHOOL OR MADE THIS FRESH SALSA OR I GOT TO GO TO A FARM AND PICK A BERRY THOSE ARE KIDS NOW GOING TO BE LIKE WELL, THAT IS A COOL THING TO DO.

LIKE MAYBE I AM INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT AGRICULTURE.

MAYBE I AM INTERESTED IN UNDERSTANDING HOW I CAN BE PART OF A FOOD SYSTEM THAT I'M NOT JUST CONSUMING ENGINEERED PRODUCTS BUT THAT I'M PART OF THE MECHANISM THAT IS CREATING THE PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET.

>> SOMETHING I WAS THINKING ABOUT BEFORE THE SHOW IS WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IS HOW DISCONNECTED WE CAN SOMETIMES BE FROM THE PEOPLE AND THE PLACES WHERE OUR FOOD COMES FROM.

HOW SOMETIMES WHAT WE EAT IS SOURCED FROM AN IMPOSSIBLELY FAR AWAY PLACE OR MADE UP OF IMPOSSIBLE TO DECIPHER INGREDIENTS SOMETIMES.

AND I THINK YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS BUT I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR MORE WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

WHY DOES THAT SHOULD THAT MATTER TO PEOPLE AND YOUR EXPERIENCE HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THAT BENEFITING THE PEOPLE YOU ARE WORKING WITH?

>> SO IT SHOULD MATTER, BECAUSE ONE, OUR LOCAL FARMERS AFFECT OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHERE YOUR PRODUCE COMES FROM OR WHO THE FARMER IS, AND THE ECONOMY AROUND THAT, NOT ONLY DOES IT IMPACT THE LOCAL FARMER BUT IT ALSO IMPACTS YOUR LOCAL HEALTH.

WE TALKED ABOUT OUR STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM AND WE TALKED ABOUT OUR MOMS THAT ARE PREGNANT AND WE ALSO HAVE A SENIOR FARMER PROGRAM NOT SENIOR FARMER, SENIOR VOUCHER PROGRAM AND THEN OUR KENTUCKY DOUBLE DOLLARS.

SO KENTUCKY DOUBLE DOLLARS WAS MENTIONED EARLIER IN THE PROGRAM ABOUT HOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE SNAP BENEFITS CAN DOUBLE THEIR PRODUCE PURCHASE AT A FARMERS MARKET.

ALSO INCLUDING MEAT, DAIRY AND EGGS.

SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT A HOLISTIC PROCESS OR WHEN YOU TAKE THOSE PROCESSED FOODS OUT OF YOUR DIET AS LEANDRA SAID YOU NOTICE A CHANGE IN YOUR OWN HEALTH.

SO WE WANT TO IMPACT OUR KENTUCKY RESIDENTS OUR KENTUCKY CITIZENS BY GIVING THEM A CHOICE AND OPPORTUNITY.

SO BY HAVING PROGRAMS LIKE FRESH RX FOR MOMS AND KENTUCKY DOUBLE DOLLARS AND OUR FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM WE'RE IMPACTING OUR FUTURE.

OUR FUTURE KENTUCKIANS.

AND HOPEFULLY, THOSE PROGRAMS WILL BE AROUND.

BUT WE DON'T KNOW.

BECAUSE UNCERTAINTY OF THE USDA WITH THE POTENTIAL CUTS, MIGHT ELIMINATE THOSE PROGRAMS.

SO WE WOULD BE GOING BACKWARDS INSTEAD OF MOVING FORWARD.

>> AND LEANDRA, WHAT DO YOU THINK WHY DOES IT MATTER?

WHY SHOULD THIS BE IMPORTANT?

>> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU GUYS I WANT TO LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE HAPPY AND HEALTHY AND THRIVING.

TO ME, IT'S THAT SIMPLE.

THE SOCIETY I WANT TO SEE IN THIS WORLD IS PEOPLE WHO ARE FED, PEOPLE WHO ARE FED WELL AND HEALTHY.

PEOPLE WHO ARE TAUGHT THAT SHARING WITH OTHERS IS A BETTER PATH TO SUCCESS THAN TRYING TO TAKE FROM OTHERS.

AND SO TO ME, DEVELOPING THESE SKILLS, DEVELOPING THIS CARE, DEVELOPING PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED AND CARE ABOUT THE HEALTH OF THEMSELVES AND THOSE AROUND THEM, AND THINK THAT'S A WORTHY INVESTMENT IS THE SOCIETY I WANT TO LIVE IN.

>> WITHIN THE FIRST SEGMENT WE TALKED ABOUT LABOR AND FARMERS WORRIED ABOUT THAT PARTLY FROM THE IMMIGRATION LENS BUT ALSO JUST IT'S NOT AS EASY TO BECOME A FARMER SOMETIMES OR IT FEELS LIKE THAT SOMETIMES ESPECIALLY EVEN INHERITING A FARM OR INHERITING A SKILL LIKE THAT FROM YOUR PARENTS CAN BE IF FEELS LIKE THERE CAN BE BARRIERS TO THAT.

IN YOUR EXPERIENCE WHAT ARE YOU SEEING WITH THAT?

ARE YOU SEEING POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS WITHIN YOUR ORGANIZATION OR ELSEWHERE IN THE COMMUNITY?

>> SO WE DO KNOW THAT THE LABOR IMPACT ON OUR FARMERS IS CRUCIAL.

WE DO KNOW THAT GENERATIONAL FARMING IS NOT AS EXCITING OR THERE'S SONS AND DAUGHTERS THAT MAY NOT BE FOLLOWING IN THEIR PARENTS' FOOTSTEPS TO CONTINUE THE FAMILY FARMING.

FARM SOMETHING HARD WORK.

IT IS NOT A GLAMOROUS JOB ALL THE TIME.

SO WE HAVE PROGRAMS THROUGH COMMUNITY FARM ALLIANCE WHERE WE'VE CONNECTING BEGINNING FARMERS TO RESOURCES TO HELP THEM TO LAUNCH INTO THAT FARMING CAREER.

WE'RE HOPING THAT WE CAN GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE MARGINALIZED COMMUNITY ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR AND TO GIVE THEM RESOURCES THAT THEY CAN START FARMING AND BE SUCCESSFUL.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT THE IMMIGRATION LAWS OR THE CRACKDOWN ON FOLKS THAT ARE MIGHT BE DEEMED TO BE HERE ILLEGAL, IS IMPACTING OUR FARMERS AND THE WORKERS THAT THEY HAVE ON THEIR LAND.

SO WE'RE HOPING TO ADVOCATE FOR THE SMALL FARMER, TO HELP THEM TO GROW THEIR INDUSTRY AND TO BE PRODUCTIVE AND BE A PART OF THE LOCAL KENTUCKY COMMUNITY.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> YEAH, SO, I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF OUR AGING FARMERS IN THE LACK OF ACCESS TO LAND IS FOCUSED ON THESE REALLY LARGE COMMODITY FARMS THAT ARE SELLING TO UNSTABLE MARKETS OVERSEAS AND ARE NOT FEEDING THEIR COMMUNITY.

AND I THINK THAT IF WE WANT TO ATTRACT YOUNG PEOPLE TO FARMING, THE YOUNGER GENERATION WANTS TO BE CONNECTED WITH WHO THEY ARE FEEDING AND THEY WANT TO BE CONNECTED TO NATURE AND THEY WANT TO BE CONNECTED TO WHAT THEY ARE GROWING IN A WAY THAT A LOT OF OUR FARMS HAVE BECOME HAVE MOVED AWAY FROM IN FAVOR OF A MORE INDUSTRIAL APPROACH.

I THINK WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR GROCERY SHELVES WE'RE BUYING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF PRODUCE THAT THRIVES IN KENTUCKY FROM REALLY FAR AWAY.

GROWN INTO PLACES WHERE LABOR PRACTICES ARE EVEN WORSE IN FARMS AND WE'RE REALLY INVESTING IN THE WRONG SIDE OF AGRICULTURE WHEN WE THINK ABOUT WHAT HOW WE MEET CONSUMER DEMAND.

AND THERE'S JUST SO MUCH OPPORTUNITY TO THINK ABOUT HOW THE YOUNGER GENERATION IS SETUP TO DEMAND A SMALLER MORE REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM THROUGH THEIR CHOICES.

AND WE'RE SEEING THEM MAKE THOSE CHOICES AND THAT IS REALLY EXCITING.

AND I THINK KENTUCKY HAS SO MUCH LAND.

KENTUCKY HAS THE ABILITY TO GROW YEAR-ROUND.

WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DEVELOP AG TECHNOLOGY AND OPTIMIZE SPACES SO THAT WE CAN MEET A LOT MORE OF OUR CONSUMER DEMAND FOR FRESH PRODUCTS HERE.

AND I THINK WHEN WE GO INTO SCHOOLS AND WE CREATE PROGRAMS WHERE KIDS ARE UNDERSTANDING THAT THEIR FOOD SYSTEM DOESN'T HAVE TO LOOK LIKE WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE 50 YEARS AGO AND WE DON'T WANT TO MOVE BACKWARDS BUT THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGINEER A NEW FOOD SYSTEM BASED ON THEIR WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE AND WHAT THEY WANT TO EAT, AND HOW THEY WANT TO EAT THAT.

THEN WHICH WE'RE INSPIRING THAT YOUTH WE'RE PUSHING OUR FOOD SYSTEM TO ATTRACT THE YOUNGER GENERATION BACK TO IT.

AND WE SEE THAT WHEN OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS OUR HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS THAT'S REALLY HAPPENING AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE DO IS WE DO PAID INTERNSHIPS FOR YOUTH.

BECAUSE OUR KIDS NEED TO BE ABLE TO MAKE MONEY.

AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE ALL HERE.

SO WE CAN'T EXPECT THEM TO GET AN EDUCATION IF THEY ARE NOT IF THEY DON'T HAVE THAT SUPPORT SYSTEM IN PLACE, WE CAN'T EXPECT THEM TO GET AN EDUCATION IN SOMETHING FOR FREE.

SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO BUILD PROGRAMS WHERE IF WE WANT TO BUILD STUDENTS IN AN INDUSTRY, WE NEED TO PAY STUDENTS TO BE PART OF THAT INDUSTRY.

AND I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO RECEIVE AN EDUCATION AT BRIA WHERE I DID GET TO GET PAID TO LEARN HOW TO FARM AS AN URBAN, YOUNG WOMAN WHO HAD NEVER WORKED ON A FARM IN MY LIFE, NEVER DRIVEN A TRACTOR.

NOTHING LIKE THAT.

BUT I CAME FROM THE FOOD INDUSTRY AND I CARED ABOUT FOOD AND PROGRAMS THAT PAY STUDENTS TO LEARN AND LEARN NEW INDUSTRIES ARE HOW WE'RE GOING TO BUILD THAT WORKFORCE.

>> AND I THINK AT THE BEGINNING YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT INVESTMENT IN, I GUESS IT'S BOTH SIDES THE PRODUCTION SIDE AND THE MARKET SIDE WHERE AND HOW PEOPLE END UP RECEIVING OR PURCHASE CHAUSING OR RECEIVING THE FOOD.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS NEEDED THERE?

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE THAT TRANSFORMATION INTO LIKE HOW WE CURRENTLY THE WAYS IN WHICH WE CURRENTLY BUY FOOD OR GET THEM, WHAT IS A REALISTIC WAY IN THE FUTURE WE CAN IMAGINE A DIFFERENT WAY WE COULD BE PURCHASING THESE PRODUCTS AND PRODUCE?

>> I DO THINK, I MEAN I THINK INVESTING IN LIKE OUR CONSUMER EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

THROUGH A LOT OF OUR RURAL COUNTIES SNAP EDUCATION IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN RECENTLY DEEPLY IMPACTED.

BUT THAT WAS A PROGRAM THAT DIRECTLY CREATED COMMUNITY IMPACT BY HAVING PEOPLE WHO ARE WITHIN A COMMUNITY CREATING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT THEIR NEIGHBORS ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING AND LEARNING HOW TO COOK WITH HEALTHIER FOODS HOW TO IMAGINE NEW RECIPES AND HOW TO PRESERVE FOODS TO REDUCE WASTE IN THE KITCHEN.

THAT PROGRAM BEING AFFECTED IS GOING TO BE FELT IN ALL OF OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES THAT ARE MOST ALSO MOST IMPACTED BY CHANGES IN AGRICULTURE.

BUT WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT HOW WE INVEST, WE INVEST BY LOOKING AT COMMUNITY NETWORKS AND HOW COMMUNITIES ARE BEST SERVED BY EDUCATING EACH OTHER.

AND BY CARING ABOUT A SMALLER CIRCLE IF THAT MAKES SENSE.

IT'S REALLY HARD TO FOR PEOPLE TO IMAGINE CARING ABOUT A FARMER IN CALIFORNIA IN THE SAME WAY THAT THEY CARE ABOUT THEIR NEIGHBOR AND WHAT THEIR NEIGHBOR GREW AND THE EXCITEMENT OF THAT.

AND SO WHEN WE THINK ABOUT INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITIES, WE THINK ABOUT HOW DO WE CREATE INCENTIVE PROGRAMS THAT VALUE THOSE SMALL SCALE RELATIONSHIPS AS MUCH AS THEY VALUE LARGE COMMODITY BUYOUTS.

WHY WOULD WE BUYOUT LARGE COMMODITY CROPS THAT ARE NOT CONNECTED TO THAT COMMUNITY OVER CREATING FOOD AS HEALTH PROGRAMS THAT ARE CONNECTING PEOPLE A FARMER WITH CONSUMERS WHO NEED TO CONSUME MORE FRESH VEGETABLES AND MAKING THAT FINANCIALLY SUCCESSFUL FOR BOTH THE FARMER AND THE CONSUMER.

>> WE'VE GOT ABOUT A MINUTE-AND-A-HALF LEFT.

I MEAN, IS THERE ANY WISH LIST THAT YOU HAVE ESPECIALLY FROM POLICYMAKERS WHO MIGHT BE WATCHING THIS PROGRAM, SAY POLICYMAKERS HOW THEY COULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, ADDRESS WHETHER IT'S HEALTHY FOOD MAKING SURE PEOPLE CAN ACCESS IT MORE AND HELPING SMALL FARMERS?

>> A WISH LIST?

GOSH.

SO WE WANT, AGAIN, TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY BY DEVELOPING POLICIES WHERE ON FARM PRODUCE CAN BE SPREAD ACROSS THE STATE.

SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL FARMERS.

WHETHER THAT BE PRODUCE OR LIVESTOCK, GIVING THEM THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

PUTTING DOLLARS INTO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY.

AGAIN, WE TALKED ABOUT EDUCATING THE CONSUMER LETTING THEM KNOW EXACTLY WHO IS GROWING UP AND HOW THEY CAN ACCESS IT.

PUTTING MORE DOLLARS INTO OUR FARMERS MARKETS AND PROGRAMS LIKE FRESH RX FOR MOMS AND KENTUCKY DOUBLE DOLLARS AND FARM TO SCHOOL.

OUR EDUCATION BENEFITS LIKE LEANDRA MENTIONED ARE GOING TO BE IMPACTED BY THE JULY 4TH BIG BILL.

SO WHY NOT SUPPORT YOUR OWN?

WE HAVE OUR OWN KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE.

WHY NOT BUILD A FUTURE FOR KENTUCKY IN KENTUCKY BY KENTUCKY AND SUPPORT OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES LIKE LEANDRA SAID YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A BIG FARMING INDUSTRY TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN KENTUCKY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TODAY'S SHOW.

THANK YOU TO LEANDRA AND SANDRA FOR JOINING US AND STATE SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE.

BE SURE TO WATCH "KENTUCKY EDITION" EACH WEEKNIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 CENTRAL AND JOIN BILL BRYANT ON FRIDAY NIGHT AT 8 EASTERN 7 CENTRAL ALONG WITH HIS TEAM OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS FOR "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.