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Candid Conversation presents a discussion about the topical issues related to Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) priorities, the agricultural industry, and rural communities, in a question-and-answer format. In this edition, American Farm Bureau Federation Vice President of Public Policy Sam Kieffer discusses the rent AFBF Convention, the value in its grassroots members and some of the issues farm families are facing. 

KFB: As Farm Bureau members from around the country made their way to this year’s convention in San Antonio, Texas, what are the advantages of coming together as a group during this annual event?

SK: The great thing about agriculture and Farm Bureau is the people, and this is an opportunity to see old friends and meet new ones. It feels like a family reunion to

me, and I know many of our members feel the same way. But it's also an opportunity for us to get together and learn. We have information sessions throughout the convention talking about everything from finance on the farm to what's going to happen possibly with the next Farm Bureau. And then certainly not the least of our activities at our convention is when our Farm Bureau members tell us what's important to them during the voting delegate meeting. As a policy guy, that's what excites me. I've been in the Farm Bureau organization for over 20 years and I still get goosebumps when I see a farmer holding that microphone standing and addressing his or her peers and saying, "This is something that I believe in, and here's why you all should share the same opinion, and this should be the policy of American Farm Bureau.”

That’s what gives us as staff and as an organization guidance and direction to speak on behalf of American farmers in the United States Congress.

KFB: What would you say is one of the top initiatives for this convention?

SK: Certainly, learning how we can as individuals step up and drive the organization forward. That's the theme of this year's convention is “Step Up and Drive Forward.” This is what Farm Bureau is all about and it's stepping forward, putting your voice forward, your opinion forward. As farmers and ranchers all across the country, it’s locking arms on a policy position, rowing in the same direction to achieve something, and the opportunity for members to learn and find where there's an opportunity for them within the Farm Bureau organization to grow and thrive or in some cases to find a new spark.

KFB: AFBF President Zippy Duvall is very in tune to the work county Farm Bureau presidents do, as was evident at the convention. When we say grassroots, we really mean it.

SK: President Duvall celebrated 2024 as the year of the County Farm Bureau. He served as a County Farm Bureau president. There are thousands of men and women across this country who volunteer for the task of organizing their peers at that local level and it's amazing. They don't get paid. They probably lose some hair or get some gray hair because of the additional meetings, especially when things are happening back home on the farm. But these are amazing individuals who show up and provide that relevance at that local level for an organization that has a positive impact, not just in the United States Capitol, not just in state capitals, but at local meetings, town councils, school district, or county commissioner meetings. Farm Bureau shows up.

My father and brother still farm, and there's always something for them to talk about. But farmers are innovators, and we don't just gripe, they have solutions, as well. And that's the beauty of the Farm Bureau organization and the grassroots process that we have. We're not just pointing out problems, we're putting real solutions on the table. At the end of our conventions, we end up with a policy book renewed by the delegates of the 50 state Farm Bureaus and Puerto Rico Farm Bureau that tells us what we believe in. These are solutions to America's challenges and what we take to the United States Capitol and help members all across the country use when they engage in conversations with their elected officials.

KFB: So often the discussions and solutions that begin at the local level, end up at the convention or on to Washington. That really makes you guys feel good about the whole system, doesn't it?

SK: Absolutely. The county Farm Bureaus provide relevance. Our credibility, our relevance, and our reputation is because of the men and women with dirt under the fingernails who steer this organization, who show up, who put their voices forward and tell elected officials what we expect and what we need. The most important policy that farmers and Farm Bureau can bring forward is at that local level. More than 20 years ago, my first job in Farm Bureau was at that local level working with eight county farm bureaus. And it's that county level advocacy where farmers and ranchers can truly impact their profession, their livelihood, their family's future, and we need more of that.

KFB: What are some of the messages that this organization will take to this new Congress with this new administration in 2025?

SK: There's a long list and we've been active for quite some time trying to work with Congress on a farm bill. Unfortunately, we are now in our third year of holding conversations to renew a bill that was written in 2018 and was supposed to last for five years. We have now undergone a second one-year extension, so we are in the third year of Congress trying to grapple with what to do with the national farm policy and how to improve a safety net to make sure that America's farmers and ranchers have the opportunity to come back from nothing when Mother Nature strikes or when prices plummet.

And the fact that at the end of the last calendar year Farm Bureau and farm organizations all across the country had to lobby Congress right before Christmas for supplemental economic assistance for agriculture just tells the story that even though the 2018 Farm Bill was a good bill for its time, it is expired. It is no longer as helpful because the reference prices that are there certainly haven't kept up with inflation. We need a modernized farm bill, and we needed it two years ago.

One of the other big things that we've been talking about for at least three years is the expiration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which stems back to President Trump's first administration. There are a significant number of tax provisions that help small businesses, families reinvest their earnings back into their business and many of those provisions are going to expire at the end of this year. Farmers, ranchers, and rural businesses need certainty. We do believe that there will likely be some positive movement. The question is when. We'll continue to work with Congress to make sure they prioritize those tax extensions.

KFB: A new generation in the agriculture industry is certainly critical and there are a lot of areas they could become involved in besides planting crops or raising livestock. How do we get more young people encouraged to come to the farm, to stay on the farm, or at least get into agriculture?

SK: It still comes down to the economy. I'm a child who grew up on a farm in the 1980s, and frankly, I ran away from it because I saw how hard my father worked and how little was left at the end of the year. Miraculously, I found my way back to agriculture and I'm grateful that I did after military and other ventures.

I think we all know that working in agriculture and farming specifically, there are ups and downs, but it's a gratifying experience. However, we need to make sure that the farm economy is also attractive, and that we are providing an opportunity at the state level and even local level for easement programs or transitioning programs. I applaud Kentucky for its Farmland Transition Initiative.

KFB: There are a lot of people, perhaps most consumers who are far removed from the farm. What’s our message to them?

SK: I think that the answer is constantly evolving. At American Farm Bureau, we spend a lot of time conducting public opinion polls to find out what consumers think about farmers, farming and agriculture, and some of the public policy solutions that we're trying to seek. What we've learned time and again, is that the American consumer trusts farmers. The American consumer is also interested in how food is grown. They may not understand the words that we use, but they want to know. My suggestion for farmers is just to be open, and honest, invite folks to the farm, answer their questions, let them know that we share their values, and we welcome their keen interest in the food that they put into their bodies.

There's a lot of assumptions out there, and a lot of unfortunate misinformation. And in some cases, there's disinformation from folks trying to spread a narrative that is not congruent with how we farm. When we just welcome that conversation and invite folks to the farm and let them know, absolutely we care about the animals, and the land, we can hold those conversations in a non-confrontational way, inviting folks to understand that we share their values and we are continuing to look for ways to improve what we do.

KFB: As members from across the country made their way home from the convention, what message did you want them to take away from the event?

SK: I encourage all Farm Bureau members across the country to step up, drive forward, and bring somebody to that county meeting. will always argue that we need to pay attention to local issues because that local government has the most ability to tax and the most ability to influence how land is zoned and used, and we can't forget that. I applaud our county Farm Bureaus, and I encourage all of our volunteers to not just plug in at the state or national levels. That's mightily important, but we need you all at the local level, as well.

It's three o’clock in the morning on a bitterly cold January night with snow- and ice-covered ground in Clark County. Most folks are sleeping soundly at this time. But Marcus Wiseman isn't most folks. He's a farmer, and his only concern this night is to make sure the cattle on his family's farms are okay.

Over the last 24 hours, he is on his third watch counting momma cows and newborns that have been coming almost daily. Every calf that hits the ground represents money in the bank and the next month’s farm payment for Wiseman who has just purchased his very own farm for the first time.

“This is all I’ve ever really wanted to do having grown up on the family farm,” he said. “It’s a blessing for me and I was fortunate enough to buy a farm of my own in October 2023, finding the joys and challenges that go with it."

One of the hardships many young farmers face is finding available farmland to purchase. Wiseman was fortunate in that the family of former Clark County ag teacher Jack Wise decided to sell the farm after Wise’s passing.

“Mr. Wise wanted the farm to stay a farm, and I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to buy it,” Wiseman said. “I grew up fishing on his farm, so I'd been on the property my whole life. The thought of being able to take care of his farm meant a lot to me.”

With his recent farm acquisition, Wiseman is adding to the tradition of the family farm’s cow/calf operation. 

"I'm going to start with about 15 mama cows on my farm and I have already purchased them," he said. "I just need to do a little work on the fences first."

Altogether, Wiseman, a fifth-generation farmer, manages several head of cattle on what he refers to as the circle of farms that are somewhat interconnected and make up the Wiseman operations, including his father's and grandfather's farms. 

“I like that I can now go to the back of my farm and look over the ridge and see my father’s and grandfather’s places,” he said.

Kentucky Farm Bureau First Vice President Shane Wiseman is Marcus’s father. He said having grown up on the family farm himself, he understands his son’s decision to go into the business fulltime.

“Farming gets into your blood and it’s as much about tradition as it is the effort you have to put into the farm,” he said. “I’m proud of what he’s doing, but I would be no matter what he chose to do in life.”

Marcus said his decision to make a living on the farm really wasn’t a decision at all.

“To me, it never really felt like a decision or a choice to make, I'm not sure what else I would do,” he said. “I love this place and this way of life. If it was a decision, for me, it was any easy one to make.”

While having the advantage of growing up in a farm family, Marcus was involved in FFA as a high school student and has been active in KFB, first in its youth programs, and now, as the newest member on his county KFB board.

“I kind of grew up in FFA with my father being an ag teacher and advisor, and it taught me a lot about leadership, especially when it came to public speaking,” he said.

Marcus was the 2018 KFB Outstanding Male Youth winner, something in which his public speaking knowledge served him well.

“I guess everybody gets nervous when the spotlight is on them, but when you're talking about something you believe in, it makes a difference,” he said. “And believing in what I spoke about during the Outstanding Youth competition made all the difference in the world. I had it. I knew it, and it was the truth.”

In much the same way as his farming experience is growing, so is his work as an agriculture advocate. There is a passion in his voice that can only come from someone who has lived the life of a farmer.

“In my opinion, the lack of knowledge is the biggest disadvantage we have right now in America with the agriculture industry,” he said. “People believe we don’t treat our animals well because of what they think they see as opposed to the actual situation. Or, they believe something on social media that just isn’t true.”

Because so many people are now generations removed from the farm, the advocacy part of being a farmer is more important now, than ever before. Marcus understands that and has a bit of a solution to help people understand farming as well as giving prospective farmers a look at what farm life is all about.

“I wish I could have people come spend a week with me, stay at my house to watch each day from start to finish,” he said. “Our cows get all the food they want to eat, all the minerals and nutrition they need, and see the doctor twice a year.”

Marcus admits he is fortunate to come from a farm family which has it advantages when it comes to running the farm.

“I’m blessed to have a family that supports my efforts to be on the farm,” he said. “My dad has been a role model for me, and I have a brother and sister who are always willing to help when I need it. And a grandfather I visit daily who has also been a tremendous influence in my life.”

One can see the emotion in Marcus when speaking of his family and the farm. He also readily admits when he loses a calf, he has to take a moment to reflect on what that animal would have meant to the farm.

“It hurts to lose one and that is one reason I’m out on the farm at all hours of the night to make sure they are safe and healthy,” he said. “I’m blessed to do what I do and I’m glad to share it with anyone. But if they really want to know what my life on the farm is like, they need to walk a mile in my boots.” 

Candid Conversation presents a discussion about the topical issues related to Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) priorities, the agricultural industry, and rural communities, in a question-and-answer format. In this edition, American Farm Bureau Federation Vice President of Public Policy Sam Kieffer discusses the rent AFBF Convention, the value in its grassroots members and some of the issues farm families are facing. 

KFB: As Farm Bureau members from around the country made their way to this year’s convention in San Antonio, Texas, what are the advantages of coming together as a group during this annual event?

SK: The great thing about agriculture and Farm Bureau is the people, and this is an opportunity to see old friends

and meet new ones. It feels like a family reunion to me, and I know many of our members feel the same way. But it's also an opportunity for us to get together and learn. We have information sessions throughout the convention talking about everything from finance on the farm to what's going to happen possibly with the next Farm Bureau. And then certainly not the least of our activities at our convention is when our Farm Bureau members tell us what's important to them during the voting delegate meeting. As a policy guy, that's what excites me. I've been in the Farm Bureau organization for over 20 years and I still get goosebumps when I see a farmer holding that microphone standing and addressing his or her peers and saying, "This is something that I believe in, and here's why you all should share the same opinion, and this should be the policy of American Farm Bureau.”

That’s what gives us as staff and as an organization guidance and direction to speak on behalf of American farmers in the United States Congress.

KFB: What would you say is one of the top initiatives for this convention?

SK: Certainly, learning how we can as individuals step up and drive the organization forward. That's the theme of this year's convention is “Step Up and Drive Forward.” This is what Farm Bureau is all about and it's stepping forward, putting your voice forward, your opinion forward. As farmers and ranchers all across the country, it’s locking arms on a policy position, rowing in the same direction to achieve something, and the opportunity for members to learn and find where there's an opportunity for them within the Farm Bureau organization to grow and thrive or in some cases to find a new spark.

KFB: AFBF President Zippy Duvall is verry in tune to the work county Farm Bureau presidents do, as was evident at the convention. When we say grassroots, we really mean it.

SK: President Duvall celebrated 2024 as the year of the County Farm Bureau. He served as a County Farm Bureau president. There are thousands of men and women across this country who volunteer for the task of organizing their peers at that local level and it's amazing. They don't get paid. They probably lose some hair or get some gray hair because of the additional meetings, especially when things are happening back home on the farm. But these are amazing individuals who show up and provide that relevance at that local level for an organization that has a positive impact, not just in the United States Capitol, not just in state capitals, but at local meetings, town councils, school district, or county commissioner meetings. Farm Bureau shows up.

My father and brother still farm, and there's always something for them to talk about. But farmers are innovators, and we don't just gripe, they have solutions, as well. And that's the beauty of the Farm Bureau organization and the grassroots process that we have. We're not just pointing out problems, we're putting real solutions on the table. At the end of our conventions, we end up with a policy book renewed by the delegates of the 50 state Farm Bureaus and Puerto Rico Farm Bureau that tells us what we believe in. These are solutions to America's challenges and what we take to the United States Capitol and help members all across the country use when they engage in conversations with their elected officials.

KFB: So often the discussions and solutions that begin at the local level, end up at the convention or on to Washington. That really makes you guys feel good about the whole system, doesn't it?

SK: Absolutely. The county Farm Bureaus provide relevance. Our credibility, our relevance, and our reputation is because of the men and women with dirt under the fingernails who steer this organization, who show up, who put their voices forward and tell elected officials what we expect and what we need. The most important policy that farmers and Farm Bureau can bring forward is at that local level. More than 20 years ago, my first job in Farm Bureau was at that local level working with eight county farm bureaus. And it's that county level advocacy where farmers and ranchers can truly impact their profession, their livelihood, their family's future, and we need more of that.

KFB: What are some of the messages that this organization will take to this new Congress with this new administration in 2025?

SK: There's a long list and we've been active for quite some time trying to work with Congress on a farm bill. Unfortunately, we are now in our third year of holding conversations to renew a bill that was written in 2018 and was supposed to last for five years. We have now undergone a second one-year extension, so we are in the third year of Congress trying to grapple with what to do with the national farm policy and how to improve a safety net to make sure that America's farmers and ranchers have the opportunity to come back from nothing when Mother Nature strikes or when prices plummet.

And the fact that at the end of the last calendar year Farm Bureau and farm organizations all across the country had to lobby Congress right before Christmas for supplemental economic assistance for agriculture just tells the story that even though the 2018 Farm Bill was a good bill for its time, it is expired. It is no longer as helpful because the reference prices that are there certainly haven't kept up with inflation. We need a modernized farm bill, and we needed it two years ago.

One of the other big things that we've been talking about for at least three years is the expiration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which stems back to President Trump's first administration. There are a significant number of tax provisions that help small businesses, families reinvest their earnings back into their business and many of those provisions are going to expire at the end of this year. Farmers, ranchers, and rural businesses need certainty. We do believe that there will likely be some positive movement. The question is when. We'll continue to work with Congress to make sure they prioritize those tax extensions.

KFB: A new generation in the agriculture industry is certainly critical and there are a lot of areas they could become involved in besides planting crops or raising livestock. How do we get more young people encouraged to come to the farm, to stay on the farm, or at least get into agriculture?

SK: It still comes down to the economy. I'm a child who grew up on a farm in the 1980s, and frankly, I ran away from it because I saw how hard my father worked and how little was left at the end of the year. Miraculously, I found my way back to agriculture and I'm grateful that I did after military and other ventures.

I think we all know that working in agriculture and farming specifically, there are ups and downs, but it's a gratifying experience. However, we need to make sure that the farm economy is also attractive, and that we are providing an opportunity at the state level and even local level for easement programs or transitioning programs. I applaud Kentucky for its Farmland Transition Initiative.

KFB: There are a lot of people, perhaps most consumers who are far removed from the farm. What’s our message to them?

SK: I think that the answer is constantly evolving. At American Farm Bureau, we spend a lot of time conducting public opinion polls to find out what consumers think about farmers, farming and agriculture, and some of the public policy solutions that we're trying to seek. What we've learned time and again, is that the American consumer trusts farmers. The American consumer is also interested in how food is grown. They may not understand the words that we use, but they want to know. My suggestion for farmers is just to be open, and honest, invite folks to the farm, answer their questions, let them know that we share their values, and we welcome their keen interest in the food that they put into their bodies.

There's a lot of assumptions out there, and a lot of unfortunate misinformation. And in some cases, there's disinformation from folks trying to spread a narrative that is not congruent with how we farm. When we just welcome that conversation and invite folks to the farm and let them know, absolutely we care about the animals, and the land, we can hold those conversations in a non-confrontational way, inviting folks to understand that we share their values and we are continuing to look for ways to improve what we do.

KFB: As members from across the country made their way home from the convention, what message did you want them to take away from the event?

SK: I encourage all Farm Bureau members across the country to step up, drive forward, and bring somebody to that county meeting. will always argue that we need to pay attention to local issues because that local government has the most ability to tax and the most ability to influence how land is zoned and used, and we can't forget that. I applaud our county Farm Bureaus, and I encourage all of our volunteers to not just plug in at the state or national levels. That's mightily important, but we need you all at the local level, as well.

More than 380 Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) members from across the state made their way to South Texas for the 2025 American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Annual Convention.

KFB President Eddie Melton said Kentucky always brings one of the largest groups to this annual event.

“We were second only to the home state of Texas this year however, we always show up big for this and many other events, a testament to the dedication our members have to this organization,” he said. 

AFBF President Zippy Duvall encouraged, motivated, and challenged convention attendees with an inspiring keynote address. In it, he discussed the organization's successes in the previous year and celebrated grassroots leaders as part of the organization's "Year of the County Farm Bureau President."

“Having an impact – making a real difference – begins with you, at the local level,” Duvall told the county leaders in the audience. “Whether you’re giving back to your communities or helping farmers pick up the pieces from a storm, you are the heartbeat of the federation.”

During his remarks, Duvall pointed out some of the many county farm bureau presidents across the country including one from Kentucky.

“In the Southern region, Megan DeHart from Mercer County, Kentucky, has taken her county to new heights,” he said. “She spearheaded a social media campaign: #365Days Of Mercer County Ag. Every day, the county showcased the farms, the faces, and the families behind local agriculture. The campaign was a big success and helped members of the community feel closer to farmers just down the road.

Megan’s outreach goes far beyond that, Duval added.

“She found a way to connect Farm Bureau to underserved populations,” he said. “She planted gardens at local rehab facilities and retirement homes. She couldn’t bring the residents to the farm, so she brought the joy of farming to them.”

Duvall also provided a recap of some of the landmark achievements made possible by engaged grassroots members, including sending more than 50,000 messages to Congress and federal agencies.

These advocacy efforts led to victories such as the Securities and Exchange Commission reversing course on an overreaching disclosure regulation and leading the charge on ensuring Congress provided financial protection for farmers and ranchers in the year-end spending package.

“That’s a record during my time as president. And I’m really proud of your engagement," Duvall said. "Let's build on that because we will need everyone to step up in 2025."

"Step Up, Drive Forward" is the theme of the 2025 convention, and Duvall encouraged members to continue stepping up when it comes to advocating for a new, modernized farm bill.

“You all know what a tough battle the farm bill has been. And, while we appreciate Congress passing another extension, we will not let up, despite lawmakers kicking the can down the road and making political excuses,” he said. “Tens of thousands of you stepped up to help, and you can bet we’ll keep working together to get a modernized farm bill.”

 In addition to the general sessions, award recognitions, and a multitude of informational breakout sessions, voting delegates discussed and adopted priorities for the coming year.

According to information from AFBF, for the third year, delegates were polled at the beginning of the voting session regarding their farms. The results show 97 percent of those who cast votes operate family farms and nearly two-thirds represent small- to mid-size farms as defined by USDA.

“Today, Farm Bureau demonstrated what truly makes it the voice of American agriculture,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall after the delegate session. “Delegates from each state Farm Bureau and Puerto Rico directly addressed the challenges and opportunities facing farmers and ranchers. The policies they set today give us a roadmap to work with the new administration and Congress to address the needs of rural America. It includes the passage of a new farm bill, enacting regulatory reform, and creating new markets for the men and women who are dedicated to keeping America’s pantries stocked.”

Delegates also adopted policy supporting the development and sale of domestically sourced sustainable aviation fuel, including expanding the list of acceptable conservation practices for feedstock eligibility.

They strengthened policy on alternative energy production, including increasing the responsibility of energy companies to manage land used for development and prioritizing energy production on land not suitable for agriculture.

Recognizing the challenges of maintaining a strong agriculture workforce, delegates voted to stabilize labor costs to avoid drastic swings that put the economic sustainability of farms at risk. They also recommended the AFBF board study potential alternatives to the current Adverse Effect Wage Rate methodology used for the H-2A program.

On trade, delegates added policy in support of a United States—Mexico—Canada Agreement review process to encourage new opportunities while protecting U.S. agriculture from unfair competition.

Policy on rural broadband was revised to support requiring companies that win broadband loans or grants to quickly complete projects in underserved rural areas. Delegates also directed AFBF to press more forcefully for reform of the current requirements for small-scale meat, dairy and value-added processing facilities.

From a state perspective, KFB was well-represented during this year’s conference, beginning with the Young Farmer Program representative who participated at the nation level. Those participants included Outstanding Young Farm Family Alex and Sarah Richardson of Meade County, Excellence in Ag winner Bethany Mattingly of Jefferson County, and Discussion Meet winner Ruth Ann Fink of Clark County, who finished in the top 16.

Counties of Excellence participants from Kentucky included Bourbon County, Hopkins County,  Laurel County, and Woodford County.

The AFBF County Activities of Excellence (CAE) Awards celebrate unique, volunteer-driven programming at the local level. The CAE program categorizes county activities into the following areas: Education and Ag Promotion, Member Services, Public Relations and Information, Leadership Development, Policy Implementation, and Safety.

During a meeting honoring county Farm Bureau presidents, KFB was recognized for having one of the largest groups of county leaders in attendance.

“I was proud to stand alongside county presidents from across Kentucky as our state was recognized for having the highest percentage of county presidents in attendance for the Southern Region,” Melton said. “It’s an honor to have so many dedicated volunteer leaders in our organization.”

KFB was also recognized with four Awards of Excellence during the convention. The Awards of Excellence recognize state Farm Bureaus that demonstrated outstanding achievements in four program areas during 2024: Advocacy, Coalitions and Partnerships, Engagement & Outreach and Leadership & Business Development. KFB was recognized in all four categories.

 One of the most unique competitions came by way of the Farm Dog of the Year and People's Choice Pup Award with both winners announced during the convention. Kentucky was well represented in that event, as well.

Late last year, Daisy, a mixed breed two-year-old from Hardin County was named as one of the top five contenders in the People’s Choice Pup competition. The AFBF People's Choice Pup Award is a part of the Farm Dog of the Year Competition. A panel of judges selected by AFBF will select the Farm Dog of the Year.

Members of the public voted online in the People’s Choice Pup part of the competition. Daisy, owned by KFB members Shelby and Lora Ennis, was named People’s Choice Pup. Daisy received a trophy plate, Purina products and a $2,500 cash prize.

As a farmer, there is likely no time of the year that is more exciting, and holds more hope, than planting season. Being weeks away from that time doesn’t diminish the anxiousness we have or the optimism we take with us in all we do on the farm.

So, while we wait for spring, we are just as busy ramping up our advocacy efforts with a new General Assembly in session, a new Congress convening, and a new administration taking the reins in Washington.

We always enter this time of advocacy with the same hope and optimism as we do in our farm fields. And to be honest, advocating for our agriculture industry can be just as important to our success as our growing season.

Having just finished with the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention, more than 5,000 advocates made their way to this annual event from all corners of the country to make their voices heard, celebrate their accomplishments throughout the past year, and plant the seeds of hope when it comes to meeting the challenges we face on the farm and in our rural communities.  

Once again Kentucky Farm Bureau showed up in a big way. It makes me so proud to see such involvement by our grassroots members as we do our part to cultivate a successful advocacy season.

During this General Assembly session, we are hopeful for passage of legislation that will update the “Selling Farmer Tax Credit.” This current law has been impactful to Kentucky agriculture by enticing landowners to sell their land to a buyer who makes a commitment to keeping it in production agriculture. This new proposed legislation would be instrumental in helping to keep farmland in production by: 

1. 1. Establishing a definition of an active farmer by using the USDA FSA definition and allows all active farmers to participate in the program, which is currently          only eligible for beginning farmers.
2. 2. Allowing a $25,000 per year tax credit ($100,000 lifetime) if a seller sells their farmland to an active farmer.
3. 3. Allowing a $50,000 per year tax credit ($200,000 lifetime) if a seller sells their farmland to a beginning farmer.
4. 4. Updates the beginning farmer definition to require they be an active farmer with less than 20 years of farmland ownership.
5. 5. Requiring the buyer to keep the land in production farmland for a minimum of 10 years (currently 5).

While we know anything can happen in the legislative process, this bill is one we can hang our hats on and will be so beneficial to our farm families now and in the future. We must impress upon our lawmakers how critical it is to do all we can to make farmland transition a priority for the state’s agriculture industry.

Speaking of farmland transition, KFB’s Kentucky Farmland Transition Initiative is still moving forward in multiple ways. We appreciate all the support we have seen over the past months from all levels of government and from our commodity groups.

I talked to several of my colleagues during the AFBF meetings and they agree that an initiative such as this can mean a brighter future for farmers and the future of farm families, something everyone will benefit from.

We will continue our efforts in this season of advocacy with the same vigor as we will once spring planting begins. All I ask is to make your voices heard at all levels. Our farms and ag industry depend on it.   

Eddie Melton, President
Kentucky Farm Bureau

I’m very fortunate to have visited many parts of this great country while working or taking vacations. Every region has its own unique "flavor" when it comes to the sights and sounds of each.

I recently returned home from a trip to Texas. Actually, I have had the opportunity to visit the Lone Star State a couple of times in the last year. It has a beauty all its own and the people there are friendly and accommodating.

But, as always, I was glad to get home. There is something about the comfort one gets when returning home from a long trip that gives a sense of relief. I sleep better, eat better, and am generally in a better mood when at home.

My wife might argue that last point, but I just feel better being in familiar surroundings. I think I have always known that, but it became loud and clear recently as I was about to make my way to work.

Having been away for several days, it had been a while since I had experienced a Kentucky morning. Even though we have been in the throes of winter, it was a welcome sight.

As the sun peeked through a few grey clouds, I could make out the brightness only brought by a morning sky. I had to stop for a minute to say a prayer of thanks and to give this beautiful scene one more glimpse before driving on and I thought to myself, “There’s nothing like a Kentucky sunrise.”

As often as I have seen so many of these beautiful dawns to new days, I had to take a long pause this time. For some reason, I felt as though maybe I had taken for granted the wonder of such a sight seen from my front doorstep. 

Perhaps I had not noticed that tranquil scene that has been gifted to me by the good Lord nearly enough. Even the cloudy mornings have a beauty all their own.

I have been blessed to always live where I do; close to the place I was born. But I realize a lot of people don’t. My wife is one of those. She grew up in Kansas City, a place she sometimes still refers to as home.

And although she has lived in Kentucky for more years than not, and loves it dearly, I always see a bit of contentment on her face when we visit. She is still a Chiefs and Royals fan. She still thinks KC barbeque is the best in the world, and there’s no better horse show than the American Royal.

Personally, I can't imagine living anywhere else but if I did, I know I would take all the memories and beauty of Kentucky with me. I guess Dorothy was right, there’s no place like home.

I look forward to many more sunrises and hope and pray that I never take them for granted again, as I travel down the backroads.

The hallmark of this push for agriculture education is to know it and to value it.

As an agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor at Seneca High School, I knew the valuable partner we had in Kentucky Farm Bureau for the Urban AgriScience Magnet Program. What I didn’t know was that encouragement from other Farm Bureau members would forever change what I hoped to gain from my life, eventually leading to becoming Kentucky’s Excellence in Ag state winner, an honor I’ll always value.

I became a member of Farm Bureau to support my students. Daniel Wright was the County Young Farmer Chair and his wife, Kristan, was my co-teacher at Seneca. They encouraged me to join in the Young Farmer outings and conferences.

What I found was professional development that kept me, and therefore my students, at the top of what was up and coming in the ag industry. But over time, I realized that it wasn’t just great professionally. I wanted to be more involved in production agriculture for years but didn’t see a way that I could afford land to do that.

Through sessions in the Young Farmer Program, that path became clearer and, in a few years, I had my 40-acre sheep farm, incredibly supportive friends, and a new career that allows me to advocate for thousands of students across the state through agriculture education.

In becoming involved in the Excellence in Ag competition, sharing the story of agriculture at Seneca was part of what has made that program so successful for me. A majority of my presentation was sharing how Kristan and I took the ag program from the precipice of closure into a spotlight for urban agriculture education in the U.S. However I also had the opportunity to share current work in agriculture education through my current role at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture as Director of Agriculture Education and Outreach.

In March, we are making big waves across the state to provide more access to agriculture education for Kentucky’s kids through eight initiatives. Once again, Kentucky Farm Bureau is stepping up to support that work.

It's a project near and dear to my heart because of the impact it will make on these kids who will grow into adults. While not all of them will go into the agriculture industry professionally, they will be agriculturally aware consumers, able to vote with more background on the industry that provides life's resources, and go into the grocery store making confident decisions for their families.

The hallmark of this push for agriculture education is to know it and to value it. Through the work in my Division, Kentucky's kids will both know and value agriculture and hopefully see their future in it.

I’m thankful that when I chose to take the step, Kentucky Farm Bureau was there to encourage, support, and value the work that I do within the industry.

Bethany Mattingly
Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Division Director, Agriculture Education and Outreach
2024 KFB Excellence in Ag Winner

Declining cow numbers have producers looking at a long-term solution.

The decline in the U.S. cattle inventory continues as the latest USDA report verifies a drop in herd numbers from last year. According to information from the National Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 86.7 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms as of January 1, 2025, with 27.9 million beef cows in the U.S as of the same date, marking a one percent decline from last year. 

David Knopf, Regional Director of the National Agricultural Statistics Service Eastern Mountain and Northeastern Regional Field Offices said the number of cattle in Kentucky continued to decline, as well, falling two percent from 2024 to an inventory of 1,850,000.

“This is the fewest number of cattle on January 1 since 1955,” he said. “Beef cow numbers followed a similar trend, but there was an increase in the number of heifers for beef cow replacement.”

If there is a silver lining, cattle prices continue to be high, along with continued consumer demand. Kentucky's projected farm cash receipts for 2024 stand around $8 billion, propped up by livestock numbers.

But turning around herd numbers will not be an overnight success for various reasons. University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Extension Professor and Livestock Specialist Kenny Burdine said many factors contribute to the continued decline, and getting the situation headed in the right direction could take some time.

“Everything starts with cow/calf operations,” he said. “When you've got fewer cows out there and a smaller supply of calves moving through markets, that also means a smaller pool of calves for backgrounders and stocker operators.” 

Burdine points to a few issues that are helping to contribute to these lower numbers.

“If you look at beef cow inventory, we've got a lot of land constraints in Kentucky. We have lost a lot of pasture ground to row crops over the last several years,” he said. “Plus, land is very expensive, so it's hard to get started. All those things are leading to us seeing smaller numbers of cattle.”

And then there is the price factor as cattle prices remain high making for better profitability for producers.

"I think there are some producers who are hesitant to hold back heifers for development because they are so valuable, and the same thing can be said about cull cows," Burdine said. "With high cull cow prices, producers are likely to cull a little deeper than they would have otherwise, which is also contributing to a lack of growth in the cowherd."

But a turnaround will likely happen, just not in the near future. Burdine said there are a few things that have to line up to see the cow herd expand.

“Those include profit at the cow-calf level, availability of pasture, and the patience to retain heifers for development to increase cow numbers in the future,” he said. “Profit is largely there right now, but we're coming off several tough years, so we may also be seeing some recouping of capital. “

With pastures having been lost or beaten down by difficult weather conditions. Burdine also pointed out that if weather conditions do cooperate in 2025, some heifer retention could be seen, but he doesn’t see a path where a larger cow herd will be realized a year from now.

“I just don't think there's enough heifers in the system right now to do that,” he said.

Donovan Pigg, Kentucky Farm Bureau Livestock Marketing Specialist said while cow numbers are the lowest they have been in 60 years, retaining heifers is one of the keys to building it back.

“Heifers on feed, are still running at 40 percent, so that doesn't indicate to me that we're retaining many of them,” he said. “But I think we're in the stage to start potentially retaining or maybe buying some back, which could help in building this cow herd back.”

Pigg thinks building a quality cow herd back is very important in any build-back process and there is an opportunity to do that through high-end genetics.

“It’s one thing to build a cow herd back, but I think it's another thing to build back with high-quality animals,” he said, “At the local level, we can focus on genetics to help increase the quality of our animals and give a little more value for them down the road.”

But current high prices are enticing producers to sell a little quicker than they might normally do, according to Pigg.

“A lot of our producers have a really good, young group of cows, but there are just not a lot of them,” he said. “Prices for cows, bulls, and slaughter bulls have gotten extremely high, and a lot of these cows have hit the market. I foresee that continuing, and I think that'll even tighten as we go forward.”

Mitchel Logsdon, a beef producer from Hart County and KFB State Director said while inventory numbers are low, the last couple of years have brought some welcome economic relief to cow/calf operators.

“The last four or five years were very lean at the best for cow-calf operators after the inputs had increased along with other expenses and prices that hadn't kept up, leaving slim margins," he said. "But the last couple of years have been a boost to the cow-calf producers who needed to catch up, and it's been very helpful.”

Logsdon added that as a cattle producer, he knows the cattle industry has historically seen up-and-down trends.

“My father had an old saying, ‘The faster it goes up, the faster it comes down,’ and it tends to be true, and we always have that in the back of our minds. Financially, you need to try to prepare for that. And when you have those years that your income's a lot more, you need to try to adjust for that.”

Logsdon said he doesn’t see a lot of signs of expansion in the cow herd right now, with supply and demand still driving the situation, and while buyers seem concerned about filling their orders, and finding enough feeders, that could create some security for the cow-calf producer.

Expansion of the herd will come slowly but it is something most producers want to do and can do.

“Most of the time you need to look at opportunities to expand, especially with the scale of economics that we deal with these days, and you need to look for ways to expand, but you also have to be careful,” Logsdon said. “Retaining heifers is the mainstay of the expansion in the beef industry, but typically, that's a three-year process almost. But it takes a while to see the income from any expansion. You have to ask if it’s going to be sustainable. When the market and the other end of that curve starts back down, are you going to be able to maintain this when some of those leaner years come back?"

Logsdon who also serves as chair of the KFB Beef Cattle Advisory Committee, the KFB Federation’s representative on the U.S. Meat Export Federation, and a member of the Cattleman Beef Check-Off Board sees the industry from several perspectives. He said that even though prices at the consumer level have increased, the beef industry still has a solid customer base.

“You can't deny that prices on the grocery shelf are going to affect the industry to an extent, but we have a good base of customers,” Logsdon said. “The checkoff board does a tremendously good job utilizing the dollars they have, whether it's in promotion or market research, and figuring out where those markets are.”

There have been many estimates as to when the cattle herd will begin to increase. Pigg said he thinks it is still at least a year or two away.

"Some economists had talked starting January 2025, and I thought their predictions were a little hopeful on that, but I could see the middle of 2026, or the first of 2027  in really starting to either retain heifers or developing heifers to be sold as replacements. So, I could see a small expansion. Now, we're not going to jump back to 31 million head overnight by any means, but I think we will start trending back up over the next four to five years."

KFB’s 2024 Gospel Music Showcase winners stay true to their Christian roots.

Proverbs 22:6 NIV- “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.”

As evangelists with Hope Community Church, Tyra and Jerry Robinson are very familiar with the biblical advice given about raising children, and they have had plenty of practice. The two have six children ranging in age from 17 to 9, and an infant just a few weeks old.

While there are so many qualities that make this family unique, one thing, in particular, is the musical talents the children have in common, something recognized by Tyra when they were all very young and running an errand in the family van.

“They were about 6, 5, 4, 3, and 3 years old when I noticed they could really hold a tune," she said. "They were singing in the van, and I had turned the radio down to tell them something and they kept singing, and I actually thought I left the radio on.  I was very shocked.”

Tyra recalls getting home to tell Jerry of this remarkable discovery, having the children sing the song they had “performed” during the ride home.

“We always listened to the radio station K-Love, so the children were singing a song they heard on the radio, for Jerry,” she said. “He was like, ‘wow,’ and right then and there, we dedicated their voices to the Lord because we knew that the world was going to take it and make something negative out of it if we didn't dedicate them to Christ.”

Shortly after, the Robinson parents decided to pursue a more formal musical training from a local music teacher, Meredith Lewis, at Lawrenceburg Academy of Performing Arts.

“Every mom thinks their kid can sing, but when we brought them to her and showed her what they had, she was very quick to find them a spot,” Tyra said. “She really taught them how to hear, how to listen, and how to use their ear.”

That skill has developed as the children have grown, something that has become a true asset to their performances.

“They're very good at hearing each other, even to the point if one lacks, they will pick up that person's voice along with their own part,” Tyra said.

As evangelists, the Robinsons traveled quite a bit, and since their children were very young, they have stood in front of many church audiences.

“From a very young age we would get them to stand up in front of wherever we were speaking and start singing,” Tyra said. “They were too young to be shy about it, and we just kept it going.”

The longer they sang in public places the more people started notice of their talents. Eventually, people started asking when and where the children would be singing next.

As their popularity has grown, Tyra and Jerry have made sure the children stay grounded in their faith and their studies. The children said they want to make sure people know the reason they sing is to spread the hope to all who feel hopeless, citing John 3:17: “Jesus did not come to the world to condemn the world but to save it.”

“Jesus Christ is first in everything that we do from the moment we get up until we go to bed at night, we are in prayer,” Tyra said. “We also homeschool and so they get a lot of their biblical knowledge as we study God's word in school.”

But Tyra doesn’t just homeschool her own children, she also has 36 to 40 additional homeschoolers.

“During Covid, we found a lot of parents who didn't know how to teach their children at home, so as staff evangelists, we reached out to our community,” she said. “We have a heart for those parents who have to work and then come home and have to teach their kids after a full day of work, and that's when I felt the Lord calling me to the ministry of not just homeschooling my children, but other children.”

With so many students, Tyra teaches out of a rented facility that the students’ parents actually pay for. And in keeping with her call to do this work, she accepts no payment for her homeschooling efforts.

“I don't get paid one dime because, first of all, it's my ministry unto the Lord, and secondly, I've got to do a class anyway,” she said. “Why not throw some other kids in there?”

Tyra admits she expects a lot from the children when it comes to their studies, but she said they are all very gifted students academically and musically.

“With all of them, it’s not just how they grasp God's word and then seek first the kingdom of God, but all the other things like mathematics, English, science, all of that is just an add-in,” she said. “And they are major readers.”

Musically, the Robinson children all play many different instruments in addition to being excellent vocalists. Tyra credits Jerry because he can play almost any instrument. But Tyra did her part when it came to their musical prowess.

“When they were all very young, he would put them to bed by playing the piano,” she said. And each time I was pregnant, I always walked around with headphones on my belly playing Mozart, and classical music.”

Tyra and Jerry have done so many things to enhance the lives of their children: Canaan, Andrew, Aria, Lyrica, Harmony, Tenor, and baby Chord. And yes, they all have musical names, including Canaan whose middle name is Anthem, and Andrew, whose middle name is Ballad.

Tyra said the musical names were intentional not realizing what the future held for the family.

“We did it on purpose because Jerry and I love music, but we didn't know they were going to sing,” she said. “We even said in college that if the Lord ever joins us together in marriage, we were going to name our kid music names.”

To make this amazing family even more special is the fact that four of the children, including the baby, are adopted. Tyra, again, credits her faith with this harmonious blending of children and their music. 

“God brought these children together and they all struck a chord, no pun intended,” she said with a laugh. “When the three adopted children became a part of our family, we had five toddlers at one time and three in diapers. And I said, ‘Did we hear you right, Lord?’”

While the Robinson children do not all share the same DNA, they have a bond that is as natural as any biological family, and perhaps even more so.

“It’s almost like they can pick up each other's thoughts and sentences, and certainly each other's tone or lyrics when it comes to music,” Tyra said. “It is so natural, which is why we think that even when they make singing mess-ups, you can't tell because someone else picked it up. If Lyrica was singing and she missed a note, Harmony comes right in and takes her note as well as sings her own note.”

The children have recently finished a full Christmas season of singing engagements but stay busy throughout the year. During the 2024 Kentucky Farm Bureau Gospel Music Showcase, the group came away with the top honors.

“Just during Christmas, it's nothing to have 17 to 22 concerts,” Tyra said. “One year we had so many calls, the kids said, ‘No more, Mom,’ but people were willing to wait until after Christmas to have them. So, I feel blessed and honored that God would give them to us. He could have given them to anybody, but he chose us.”

And what a divine choice it has been. As some of the children are nearing college age, they all have plans of what they want to do later in life from going into the military to being first responders to being involved in worship leadership. But it’s a safe assumption to think that music will be a part of their lives in the future.

For now, though, the group will take a break during January and February before starting their spring schedule with their second busiest season being at Easter.

Tyra and Jerry have much to be thankful for when it comes to their children, and the children say the same thing about their parents. But the Robinsons also give thanks for their church family.

“The encouragement of our home church, led by Pastor Jeff Eaton, has given us strength and a base,” Tyra said. “We have heard many times that it takes a village to raise a child. Hope Church is our village, and they are also just as responsible for raising these exceptional children. They are good kids, so good, and respectful and they're kind, and they help people. We are just truly blessed.”

Amen.

Former Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) President Mark Haney has been chosen as the recipient of American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 2025 Founders Award, one of the national organization’s highest honors. He will be recognized on January 26 during the AFBF’s 106th Convention in San Antonio.

First presented in January 2017, AFBF’s Founders Award recognizes exemplary leadership, service, or contributions to Farm Bureau. Haney was nominated for this award by KFB and selected as the 2025 winner by a national Farm Bureau committee.

A native of Pulaski County, Haney served on the board of Kentucky Farm Bureau for more than three decades and is the longest-serving president of the organization, stepping down after 15 years as president in 2023. He is well-known for proactive engagement with legislators to ensure the voices of farmers were heard and addressed at the local, state and national level. This included the advancement of many policies and initiatives supporting agricultural growth and sustainability for farmers across the nation. 

Throughout his time at KFB, Haney played a key role in creating and implementing initiatives that enhanced agriculture in the Bluegrass state, including the Certified Farm Market Program to support local farmers, the Generation Bridge Program, which engages members between the ages of 36-50, and the Legacy Farm Program.

“It is very humbling for me to receive this award,” Haney said. “I know the quality of people that serve in Farm Bureau and the things that they have accomplished. For me to be mentioned in that elite group is such an honor.”

“Mark is an exceptional leader,” said KFB President Eddie Melton. “He has demonstrated unparalleled leadership and dedication to farmers in Kentucky and across America’s agricultural community.”

During his address to the AFBF Convention attendees after the presentation of the award, Haney offered some words of encouragement to his fellow members.

“My encouragement is to continue to move forward and continue to focus on the important things,” he said. “Scripture tells me that my Savior came to earth to serve, not to be served. My prayer for you is that you will take up that same mantle, and you will choose to serve going forward. And you will teach your children and your grandchildren and those that come after us that the most important things to us are our faith, our families, our livelihood, and our farms. From the bottom of my heart, I can't thank you enough for this honor.”

KFB Regional Teacher Workshops are held yearly and provide educators training and professional development opportunities designed to better enable them to incorporate agriculture into their daily core curriculum. More specifically, teachers learn the value of using agricultural related material to teach Mathematics, Social Studies, English, and Science through real life application.

2025 Workshop Information Coming Soon

The Excellence in Agricultural Literacy Award is designed to recognize and reward teachers who excel in their efforts to incorporate agricultural concepts throughout their core academic studies. All certified pre-kindergarten through 12^th grade teachers who engage agriculture concepts into non-agricultural curriculum are eligible to apply.

Excellence in Ag Literacy Application

The third edition of Kentucky Farm Bureau's Kentucky Agriculture Facts booklet is now available online with updated statistics. Neatly organized to highlight key data from the state's major farm commodities, the booklet offers an overview of Kentucky's total agricultural impact while summarizing production levels, economic impact and national rankings for 14 different commodities. Hard copies of the full-color booklet are also available for purchase from the KFB Communications Division by calling (502) 495-5000. 

Kentucky Agriculture Facts Booklet 2025 

Picture this: You’re driving to work on a hectic Monday morning, stuck in an endless line of cars, when a sinking feeling washes over you, and you think to yourself: “Did I lock the back door?”

If you’re like most people, this unnerving scenario is familiar. We’re human, after all, and when we rush around constantly from one place to another, we’re eventually bound to forget something. But what happens when this oversight affects the things and people we value most?

Well, there’s an app for that… and an appliance, and a lock, and a sensor, and every type of “gadget” imaginable. Our technology is smarter than ever before. While we haven’t quite reached “Rosie the Robot Maid” levels of advancement, living in a Jetsons-like world is becoming more of a reality each day.

Countless smart home solutions hit the market each day, and this technology, which is geared toward the average consumer, can be found just about anywhere. Whether you’re a computer programmer or someone who can barely set the clock on the microwave, smart tech can be useful for and used by anyone.

Embracing new technology can seem daunting at first, but through simple, app-based controls; professional installation services; and affordable price points; anyone can make their home a little more intelligent.  

Check out five devices you can install today to create a safer, smarter home:

1. Smart security cameras

Security cameras and other home-monitoring technologies have been around for years, but gone are the days of needing to pay for expensive installations and monthly monitoring fees. With an internet connection and a connected device, just about anyone can take home monitoring into their own hands. The available options are limitless, from outdoor surveillance systems to indoor, motion-activated devices that alert you every time movement is detected. Weather-proof cameras ensure monitoring even during the storm, and night-vision devices keep a watchful eye on your home at all hours of the day. With many consumer-grade security cameras for sale at under $100, and with both hard-wired and battery-powered options available, you can trust that your home will be secured in a way that suits your specific needs. 

2. Smart doorbells
Think you have to be home to answer the door? Think again. Through the power of technology, you can now answer your door from anywhere in the world, using video to monitor your doorstep and deterring burglars looking for an unguarded house to raid. There are many smart doorbells on the market, but most models come equipped with motion sensors and two-way audio. Some models include features such as night-vision, on-demand video, push notifications, and cloud-based data storage. Whether you’re in bed or in a different time zone, the notion of “nobody’s home” can become a thing of the past with smart doorbell technology.

3. Smart locks
Remember that sinking feeling described earlier, the one where you forgot to check your locks before heading to work? Well, cross that fear off your list of “worries that keep you up at night,” because smart locks provide the peace of mind you’re after. Smart locks can bolt your door remotely, but they can do so much more than that. Some locks allow you to assign a virtual key to friends and family, sending you user-specific notifications each time someone enters and leaves your home. Other locks can connect to your WiFi or Bluetooth-enabled devices, automatically opening the door when you arrive home and locking the door when you’re on the way out. Some models can be purchased with keypad controls, while others are controlled solely through your phone. And before you start to worry about someone “cyber hacking” their way into your home, know that smart lock technology embraces heavy-duty encryption which secures your data.

4. Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are a must-have in any home. But, as the adage goes, “If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” The same can be said about traditional smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. They’re great when you’re at home and ready to respond, but how do you protect your beloved family members, pets, and possessions when you’re halfway across town? Enter smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Many of these devices come with constant monitoring and monthly self-tests, with data that can be accessed 24/7 through an app. Even if you’re away, smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can alert you to your home’s status in real-time, letting you know when all is calm and when there’s trouble in the air.

5. Smart thermostat
Have you ever woken up to a freezing home? There’s nothing worse than getting out of bed on a frigid morning to adjust the thermostat, but this problem can be easily solved with smart technology. Unlike a traditional thermostat, smart thermostats don’t require manual adjustments. With a bit of upfront programming, a smart thermostat will begin to learn your household’s temperature needs and adjust accordingly. Many smart thermostats even allow you to adjust the temperature from a mobile app. Besides these learning and accessible-anywhere features, most smart thermostats are also committed to making your home more energy-efficient. Sensors can detect when you’re at home and away, and the smart thermostat can adjust the temperature settings to help you save some green.

Delving into the world of smart home technology can be frightening at first, but with simple, user-friendly solutions at accessible price points, creating a smarter, safer home is something everyone can do. Bring your home into the 21st century and benefit from the security that smart tech offers. Check online or at your local store to begin upgrading your home today.

>> Homeowner Tip: Did you know that Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance also offers discounts for using smoke detectors, dead-bolt locks, and more? Check with your local agent today to see if you qualify for a discount on your Homeowners policy.

Elizabeth is your local Jefferson County Farm Bureau insurance agent!

Kentucky Farm Bureau has provided residents of the Bluegrass with quality insurance since 1943. As your local agent, I’m proud to serve the Jefferson County community and take care of all your insurance needs with prompt service and personal attention. That’s what being Kentucky’s insurance company is all about. We offer home insurance, auto insurance, life insurance and more. Contact me today for a free quote!

Elizabeth joined KFB in 2016, bringing years of experience in insurance with various carriers in multiple states. A graduate of Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics, she also has a family background in farming. Elizabeth spends her free time cheering for her Boilermakers, watching multiple sports, traveling, exploring the restaurant scene in Louisville, and anything Disney related. As a resident of Jefferson County, she has worked with many community organizations and served on multiple boards, even earning several awards.

• Board Member of Mortgage Bankers Association of Louisville (MBAL); Treasurer 2022 to present, has served as Associate Director 2019, Secretary 2021; Associate Member of the Year 2022 and 2019
• Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP); Current First Sergeant of Membership Committee; First Sergeant of Cares Committee 2023-2024; Daniel J. Rettig Patriot of the Year Award 2023
• Women’s Council of Realtors (WCR) member; Fashion Show Committee member; Diamond Sponsor 2022
• WO Network Founding Member
• Member of the Purdue Alumni Association
• Member of the John Purdue Club
• Former member of Giving to Grow BNI Chapter; served as President, Vice President, and on Membership Committee
• Nominee Louisville Business First Journal Top 40 under 40 (2024)