KFB President Mark Haney announces formation of Water Management Working Group
Posted on Dec 5, 2014
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Access to an adequate supply of water for agriculture production is emerging as a critical issue for Kentucky farmers, said Haney, noting that agriculture, on average, uses less than one percent of the water from public systems in the state.
“Through the years we’ve been asked to produce more from less land while being as efficient as possible,” Haney said. “To accomplish that we will need to utilize more water at appropriate periods. We need policies to determine how agriculture can gain access to water supplies. This is particularly crucial in West Kentucky, with our larger row crop farms.”
Steve Coleman, a long-time Director of the Kentucky Division of Conservation, will be chairman of the task force. Other members are:
- Warren Beeler, Deputy Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture
- Tyler Campbell, Manager of Governmental Affairs and Communications for the Kentucky League of Cities
- Fayette County farmer Todd Clark
- Dr. Nancy Cox, Dean of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food & Environment
- Calloway County farmer Sharon Furches
- KFB Director Terry Gilbert, a Boyle County farmer
- Pete Goodmann, Director of the Kentucky Division of Water
- KFB Director Pat Henderson of Breckinridge County, who is Vice Chairman of the organization’s Natural Resources Advisory Committee
- Greenup County farmer Kenneth Imel
- Oldham County farmer Kevin Jeffries
- Gary Larimore, Executive Director of the Rural Water Association
- David Rowlett, President of the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts
- KFB Director Larry Thomas of Hardin County, who is chairman of the organization’s Natural Resources Advisory Committee
- Roger Thomas, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy
The group will hold its initial meeting on December 10. The mission “is to research the situation, examine potential actions and make recommendations for bringing water to key areas of farm production,” Haney said.
A timetable hasn’t been established.
“We anticipate this will involve an extended series of meetings, as well as field research,” said Haney.
Tagged Post Topics Include: Boyle County, Breckinridge County, Calloway County, David Rowlett, Farm Service Agency, Gary Larimore, Greenup County, John McCauley, Karen Woodrich, Kenneth Imel, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Division of Conservation, Kentucky Division of Water, Kentucky League of Cities, Kevin Jeffries, KFB, Kim Richardson, Larry Thomas, Mark Haney, Michael Griffin, Nancy Cox, Pat Henderson, Pete Goodmann, Roger Thomas, Rural Water Association, Sharon Furches, Terry Gilbert, Todd Clark, Tom Fern, Tyler Campbell, University of Kentucky, US Geological Survey, USDA Rural Development, Warren Beeler
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