The Kentucky Farmland Transition Initiative (KFTI) has gained significant momentum in just the few short months since its inception, with 22 strategic partners added to its growing network. KFTI was launched by Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) in April to help the Commonwealth’s farm families find ways to keep their acreage in the hands of active farmers as they plan for the future of their land.

The KFTI Network is a partnership of agriculture and agriculture-related organizations, businesses and institutions across Kentucky who are united in recognizing the problem of farmland loss and are committed to finding solutions. Network members share resources, provide feedback, and serve as a valuable sounding board for KFTI stakeholders.

The newly announced network partners are:

• Central Kentucky Ag Credit
• AgriBusiness Association of Kentucky
• Community Farm Alliance
• Farm Credit Mid-America
• Kentucky Association of Meat Processors
• Kentucky Burley and Dark Tobacco Producers Association
• Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association
• Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development
• Kentucky Corn Growers Association
• The Dairy Alliance for Kentucky
• Kentucky Dairy Development Council
• Kentucky Department of Agriculture
• Kentucky Horse Council
• Kentucky Horticulture Council
• Kentucky Pork Producers Association
• Kentucky Poultry Federation
• Kentucky Sheep & Goat Development Office
• Kentucky Small Grain Growers’ Association
• Kentucky State University
• Kentucky Thoroughbred Association
• Kentucky Woodland Owners Association
• University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

“The farms we know and love as Kentuckians are at risk,” said Renee Carrico, KFB Director, Commodity Division. “In fact, at the current rate of farmland loss, the number of Kentucky farmers will be cut in half in the next 60 years. Kentucky Farm Bureau recognized that if we do not act, subdivisions, industrial parks and highways will continue to consume our farmland. We can’t solve this problem alone, and fortunately we don’t have to. We are thrilled that KFTI has gained the support of so many influential leaders in agriculture, and we believe this is just the beginning. If you are passionate about keeping Kentucky’s farms in production, we invite you to join our network.”

KFTI was developed in response to troubling data recently released in the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture, which revealed that Kentucky lost 17,000 farms and 1.4 million acres of farmland over the last 20 years. It is designed to help families access resources related to farmland transition, connect providers of transition services to people who need their services, and find solutions to help retain farmland.

To learn more about the Kentucky Farmland Transition Initiative Network visit kyfarmlandtransition.com/about.