Commissioner's Corner Ryan Quarles
Commissioner of Agriculture
I want to take the opportunity to applaud our state legislators for passing several bills and resolutions during the 2022 General Assembly session that help Kentucky’s agriculture producers and support our $46 billion ag industry. Our newly approved $86 million Kentucky Department of Agriculture budget includes: • A $500,000 appropriation for KDA’s Raising Hope campaign that funds partnered initiatives between KDA, state universities and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. The program focuses on the mental and physical health of agricultural producers by increasing awareness of mental health issues, normalizing the discussion of the topic, reducing the stigma of seeking help, and showing farmer appreciation. • A $100,000 budget increase awarded to the ‘Farm to Food Banks Program’, an initiative that supports food banks purchasing Kentucky-grown produce from our farmers, raising the total annual program budget to $600,000. • Capital improvement grants for county fairs increased from $300,000 to $455,000. When I was first elected commissioner, I began to modernize KDA and the statutes that define our responsibilities. During this session, House Bill (HB) 271 reorganized the membership of the Fair Council and the Agritourism Advisory Council and clarified the duties for the Office of the State Veterinarian to maintain the health and welfare of agricultural industries for livestock, poultry, and fish. HB 273 changed statutes governing amusement ride regulations, increasing the amount of liability insurance the owners must maintain. HB 306 updated statutes that define KDA’s responsibilities with respect to pesticides and noxious weeds. HB 451 revised legal definitions for some types of motor fuel and what constitutes a retail facility. My goal as commissioner has also focused on improving the quality of life 8 • Cow Country • June
for citizens of our commonwealth. Since 2016, I have made it my mission to reduce hunger in Kentucky. My Hunger Initiative is a first-of-its-kind effort to bring together farmers, charitable organizations, faith groups, community leaders, and government entities. Two bills and a resolution passed this session help support this initiative: • Senate Bill (SB) 151, the “Barrier to Breakfast Bill,” permits school districts to serve breakfast to students during the first 15 minutes of instructional time. • SB 42 allows school districts to increase their food purchasing from local farmers, exempting local fresh produce and meat products from the state’s regular competitive negotiation requirements.
in plans, discussions, and meetings to give the state full advantage in agriculture-related endeavors. • SB 121 streamlines the process for those who use agriculture exemption license numbers, allowing producers not to pay sales tax on certain agriculture-related items purchased in retail stores. • House Resolution 69 urges the Federal Aviation Administration to update its regulations pertaining to agricultural drones that are currently geared toward airplane and helicopter uses. I am proud of all the hard work our public servants have done for our commonwealth. I appreciate everyone’s efforts on behalf of Kentucky’s agricultural communities.
• HCR (House Concurrent Resolution) 47 recognizes Madison County Schools for its leadership in embracing the farm-to-school concept in hopes that other Kentucky school systems will emulate what Madison County has achieved. KDA’s Farm-to-School program brings fresh, high-quality Kentucky Proud products to Kentucky school systems.
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Several other pieces of agriculture-related legislation also passed through the General Assembly this year:
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