It is more than 7,300 miles between Kentucky and China, yet a vast amount of our agricultural products produced right here in this state make their way there each year.

According to information from the USDA, U.S. agricultural exports to China in the fiscal year 2022 were $36.4 billion. This surpassed the previous year’s record with China as the largest export market for the second consecutive year.

Despite our differences, trade is important to our farm families not only with China but with countries around the world. As far away as we may seem from other parts of the world, international trade brings us all together.

But continuing to foster new trade agreements with other countries is as important now as it has ever been.

Agriculture, on the world stage, is a very competitive business and we should always remember that when advocating for our ag industry.

As farm bill discussions progress in Washington, we will need to keep up our efforts as an organization to ensure trade programs that are key to farm sustainability remain intact and that new programs that can boost our trade opportunities are included.   

During the recent KFB Congressional Tour, our group heard from USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley. He mentioned efforts are being made to find new markets for the country's agricultural products.

He also emphasized how important international trade is to all farms—large and small. Being competitive in the global market while remaining sustainable on our family farms not only helps to guarantee the success of our ag industry, but it is also directly attributable to the well-being of our rural economies.

When farm families are doing well, their local economies are generally doing the same. Trade and rural development are two of Kentucky Farm Bureau’s top priorities and they often go hand-in-hand.

As we move toward Congressional action on a new farm bill, we must be diligent in our advocacy efforts to ensure the programs that benefit these areas remain an integral part of the bill as is the case with all aspects of this legislation that move the agriculture industry forward.

It is especially critical as more and more Congressional members are far removed from the farm. Our advocacy efforts must be coupled with educational opportunities in telling our story. We are thankful that Kentucky’s Congressional delegation is supportive of agriculture in this state.

Let’s do our best to keep them informed of issues on the farm and in our agri-businesses so they can do the same with their colleagues.

Maintaining and finding new global markets must be a priority in these discussions.

While we are often thousands of miles away from our “customers,” the continued success of international trade brings the global agricultural community closer than it has ever been.

Mark Haney, President

Kentucky Farm Bureau