KFBN 2013

Posted on Mar 30, 2016

February 2013: Ryan and Misty Bivens of LaRue County won the prestigious Achievement Award for young farmers during AFBF's 94th Annual Meeting last month in Nashville. As winners of the highly competitive contest for young farmers throughout the nation, Ryan and Misty get their choice of a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra. They also receive paid registration to the upcoming AFBF Young Farmer and Rancher Conference in Phoenix.

The Achievement Award recognizes those who have excelled in their farming operation plus have displayed leadership abilities. Participants are evaluated on a combination of their agricultural operation's growth and financial progress, Farm Bureau leadership and leadership in other groups.

Also in this issue:

"Fiscal Cliff" Bill Brings Estate Tax Relief

District Meeting Schedule

Comment Column: James Comer, Commissioner of Agriculture

Farm Bill Tops Policy Goals

Social Media Conference Stresses the Need to Inform

KDA Launches Programs to Assist Military Veterans

Pulaski County Farmer Partners with Rural Fire Department to Provide New Source of Water

Progrma to Boost Milk Production Making Gains

National FFA Week is February 16-23

Mural Honors Rural Culture at Wolfe County FB Office

Beef Expo is March 1-3

Markets: Frozen meat and poultry stocks are plentiful; Grain storage grows; U.S. alfalfa production hits 60-year low

Farm File: Scholarship applications are encouraged; New lending program; Kentucky among leaders in crop insurance losses; Warren Beeler named to KDA policy position

March 2013: The Kentucky Agricultural Council (KAC) unveiled its five year strategic plan for agriculture at a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda that included Governor Steve Beshear, Agriculture Commissioner James Comer and the chairmen of the House and Senate Ag Committees. KFB Executive Vice President David S. Beck, who is on the KAC Board of Directors, was among a sizable group of state agricultural officials on hand to see the plan presented to the state government leaders.

Governor Beshear praised the plan and the KAC, commending the once-stagnant organization for a revitalization that has enabled it to "reclaim the mantle for agricultural planning."

Also in this issue:

Comment Column: Rip Rippitoe, President and CEO, Kentucky State Fair Board

Presidents Conference

Young Farmer Winter Conference

Meaty Topic: KFB's Fritz Giesecke speaks to Louisville Ag Club

Our Advertisers at the National Farm Machinery Show

MSU's "Racer Academy" Enhances Ag Education

Louisville Survey Affirms Opportunities for Farmers to Cash in on Local Foods Craze

Equine Survey Reveals Wealth of Information

Food Check-Out Day

Markets: USDA projects record crops; Beef, pork, export values soar; Kentucky cattle buck the trend

Farm File: Farm policy booklet is available; Stallman speaks to immigration subcommittee; IFAL applications are now available; KCA inducts five into Hall of Fame

April 2013: More than 200 members participated in this year's Congressional Tour, which coincided with the late-February buzz over the federal budget sequestration (that went into effect later that week). Federal spending, deficits, and debt were the primary topics in the remarks of Kentucky's Congressional delegation during the traditional breakfast. All eight of Kentucky's members were on hand, including first-timers Andy Barr (R-6th District) and Thomas Massie (R-4th District).

Also in this issue:

Comment Column: Jason McGlone, Chairman, KFB Young Farmer Committee

The Business of Growing: County Farm Bureaus in the Mix with Ag Development Initiative

Well "Equipped": Farmers are sold on Fayette County FB Auction

Women's Leadership Conference

Events Highlight: National Agriculture Week

County Annual Meeting Notices

Career Capper: Service Award Presented to Christine Lobb

Markets: U.S. corn imports record large; Top corn counties are surprising; Broiler production moving to larger bid

Farm File: Film will spotlight young farmers; Some ag stats reports will be halted for now; Land availability top concern of young farmers and ranchers; Tests show pesticide residues are not a problem

May 2013: KFB's 8th annual Beef Tour went south, with stops at farms and other ag-related facilities in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. The return trip featured a stop at the famous Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C.

A bus load with 46 participants plus some KFB staffers began the five-day journey with a stop at Western Kentucky University's Agricultural Expo Center. Besides a variety of cattle farms, other stops included the large animal hospital and meat laboratory at Auburn University, the Middle Tennessee Research and Education Center and AGCO Inc. World Headquarters in Duluth, Georgia.

Also in this issue:

Burley market outlook is good

Comment Column: W. Dwight Armstrong, Ph.D., CEO, National FFA Organization

Springtime business is blooming for Croppers Greenhouse and Nursery

From Field to Fuel: Project at Murray State seeks development of biomass crops

Nelson County Fb develops nifty game for ag education

"Ag Adventures" in Scott County

The Home Place by Russ Bingham, Board of Directors, Lyon County Farm Bureau

KFB delivers Earth Day message

County Annual Meetings

Markets: Drought reduced honey production; Kentucky hat data released; More pork with smaller breeding herd

Farm File: Farmer of the Year applications are invited; KSU aquaculture field day is May 16; AFBF calling for tax reforms; Burley Co-op has new general manager

July 2013

As the summer grilling season hears up, beef supplies are down, meaning it likely will cost more to host that backyard party. The number of beef cattle in the United States is reportedly the lowest number since the early 1960s. When numbers go down and feed prices go up, consumers end up paying more at the grocery store.

"In the interest of telling the whole story, productivity has also increased since that time," said University of Kentucky College of Agriculture economist Kenny Burdine. "But, the combination of fewer cattle over the past several years and generally strong export markets has left beef supplies relatively tight."

Also in this issue:

Comment Column: James Comer, Agriculture Commissioner

Keeneland Concours d'Elegance celebrates 50 years of Mustangs

2013 Member Benefits Guide

KFB's TV program nominated for award

Local foods and agritourism boom

County Annual Meetings

KFB maintains support for state property tax law that restrains what you pay

August 2013: KFB Day at the Fair is Thursday, August 22 with a full schedule of activities for members.

The 50th Annual Kentucky Country Ham Breakfast and Auction will be held in South Wing Conference Center beginning at 7:30 a.m. The grand champion country ham will be auctioned with proceeds donated to charity. Last year's champion ham from Scott Hams fetched $300,000. In its history, the auction has raised more than $6.5 million for charities.

Also in this issue:

Comment Column: Phyllis Amyx, Chair, KFB Women's Committee

Young Farmer Summer Outing

2013 Scholarship Recipients

District Policy Meetings

Brumfield Farms thrives on diverse production

Roadside Markets Tour

County Annual Meetings

Markets: Hay disappearance record low; Lamb and mutton imports rising; Feeders are heavier entering feedlots

KFB named best at social media; continues to win video awards

Farm File: "Kentucky Proud" milk program launched; GOAP Conference is October 30; AFBF pushing bill to boost ag research; U.S. and EU begin to trade negotiations

September 2013: A big crowd, a good contingent of business and political leaders and a fat price for the prized pork marked KFB's 50th annual Country Ham Breakfast at the State Fair. Nearly 1,600 people were on hand to hear some top political officials speak and watch as Yum! Brands Foundation made a winning bid of $350,000 for the 13.3-pound ham from Harper's Country Hams, based in Hickman County. That amounts to $26,315 per pound.

A Yum! Foundation official said the charitable donation would go to the Funds for the Arts while the ham would go to Dare to Care. This marked the first time Yum! participated in the auction. Chief competitors were PNC Bank and 21c Hotel.

Also in this issue:

Comment Column: Kimberly Richardson, Director, Kentucky Division of Conservation

Local leaders meet with Congressmen

Quality and location are good combo for D&F Farms

Why Farm Bureau is a great audience

County Annual Meetings

Daviess County, Washington County scholarships

Markets: U.S. beef trade responds to production drop; SRW wheat crop has average quality; Cropland rents increase in 2013

Festival is September 23-28 in Whitesburg

Dairy Awards

Farm File: Report says small farms are still increasing; Kentucky 4-H cooking team excels' Video illuminates farm labor issue; Ethanol mandate may be changing; Nations consuming more meat

October 2013: The upcoming National FFA Convention is the event of the year for FFA member, providing an opportunity for young people from all over the country to network, explore, career opportunities and develop skills that will last a lifetime. Young leaders like Joenelle Futrell of Daviess County, Eastern Region Vice President of the 2012-2013 National FFA Officer Team, look forward to the convention as a time to share their passion for agriculture with others and to inspire a new generation of ag leaders.

Also in this issue:

Why farm policy is crucial

Comment Column: Russell Poore, Chairman, Roadside Farm Markets Advisory Committee

Foundation for success: KFB Agency Manager has key role with FFA fundraising

Drivers: Be patient with farm vehicles

Just Piddlin Farm provides family fun

Truly a "haven" Adair County farm market caters to kids

Advisory Committees

County Annual Meetings

USFRA event is October 24

Markets: Ag trade surplus is lowest in seven years; Kentucky crops bigger in 2013; State's cash farm receipts on the rise

Farm File: Gallup poll boosts agriculture's standing; AFBF pushing for trade bill; Fair Oaks opens "Pig Adventure" exhibit for education on animal agriculture; Cargill pledges $520,000 to FFA

November 2013: KFB's 94th Annual Meeting is set for December 4-7 at the Galt House Hotels in Louisville. Priorities include electing leaders, recognizing achievements, setting policy goals for the 2014 state legislative session and establishing a wish list for Congressional action next year.

Also in this issue:

Comment Column: Mayor Greg Fischer, City of Louisville

FFA Convention has a rousing send-off

Advisory Committee Meetings

Fayette Legislative Dinner

Wolfe County market expansion pays off

Coach Cal promotes dairy program

Watch out for deer on the roads!

Farm Credit Mid-America touts crop insurance program

Markets: Premium beef brand reports record sales; Turkeys raised down five percent; Record wheat crop in Kentucky

Farm File: 2014 roadside market program; Union County meat processor expanding; World ag subsidies are rising; AFBF fighting on water rights issue

December 2013: Pulaski County farmer Mark Haney was re-elected president of KFB on the concluding day of the organization's 94th annual meeting. Also re-elected were Webster County's Eddie Melton as First Vice-President and Hart County's Fritz Giesecke as Second Vice-President. They comprise KFB's Executive Committee along with Executive Vice President David S. Beck.

Also in this issue:

Comment Column: Scott Smith, Retiring Dean, UK College of Agriculture, Food & Environment

Protecting rural road fun looms as a key concern

Butler County FB is tops

Outstanding youth are selected

Janella Miller wins Discussion Meet

Shelby County couple win OYFF award

Mercer County Extension Agent honored for "excellence in Ag"

Hardin County teacher wins ag literacy award

Ray Allen Mackey named "Farmer of the Year"

Tom McKee honored for Service to Agriculture

Joe Raley receives service to KFB award

Executive Committee tour

Farm Credit Mid-America wins Agribusiness award

Nancy Cox is new dean of UK ag

"Hometown Heroes" becomes national brand

KFB hosts legislative meeting