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For many homeowners, there is no greater satisfaction than the sight of a freshly manicured property. No matter what type of lawn you prefer – a perfectly striped, vibrant green plot or one bursting with trees, shrubs, and flowers – doing a little clean-up here and there is bound to leave you with some yard waste on your hands. 

It’s important to know how to properly dispose of those lawn clippings, leaf piles, and stacks of sticks, as tossing these biodegradable materials in your garbage bin unnecessarily takes up precious landfill space. Disposal costs for state-of-the-art landfills range from $30 to $60 per ton, and landscape refuse accounts for up to 20 percent of the wastes being placed in landfills, according to the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. When yard waste decomposes in landfills, it generates methane and acidic leachate, both harmful to humans and the environment. Because of this, municipalities that offer yard waste pick-up often have rules banning the mix of organic waste with your everyday garbage. In some areas, improper disposal of yard waste items may leave homeowners subject to a fine.

However, if disposed of properly, your yard waste can be composted into beneficial mulch, soil, or compost. Follow these tips to ensure your yard’s leftovers land in the right place.  

• Know what is and is not considered yard waste.
  The general rule of thumb is that organic materials generated from regular yard and garden maintenance pass the yard waste test. Specific guidelines vary by area, but the following items are widely accepted as yard waste: grass clippings, leaves, tree trimmings or fallen branches/twigs, weeds, pine needles, and garden remnants. Things that generally do NOT count as yard waste include dirt, rocks, fencing, flower pots, plant tags, empty mulch/soil bags, and pet waste.
   
• Place trimmings and clippings in the proper container.
  If you have curbside yard waste pick up, make sure you are using a pre-approved container. In the long run, re-using a durable, plastic bin with sturdy handles for pick-up crews may be your best bet. (Pro-tip: Be sure to clearly mark the container with “yard waste.”) Another great option is a pack of paper yard waste bags. These large, reinforced bags can be composted and are conveniently available at most hardware or home improvement stores. Stray from the use of plastic bags, which interfere with the composting process and must be manually separated at the facility, a costly and tedious task.
   
• Put nature to work.
  • Fertilize: Are you a chronic bagger? It’s a common misconception that leaving grass clippings in the yard will reduce the health of your lawn. Clippings will not damage your grass. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Grass clippings will quickly decompose and release valuable nutrients back into the soil, reducing the need for supplemental nitrogen fertilization by 25 to 50 percent, according to the EPA.
  • Reallocate: If you’re thinking about raking your leaves into discard piles, why not mulch them with your mower instead? With just a few passes, the leaves will be barely visible, but they’ll work to stabilize soil temperature, prevent weeds, and feed the soil for healthier growth. In addition, a dose of mulched leaves reduces the need for watering your lawn and prevents leaves from clogging up stormwater drains and causing flooding.     
  • Enhance: For those who garden, grass clippings also make a great addition to vegetable plots or flower beds! Sprinkle dried remnants on the surface to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and add nutrients for your plants, weeds, and feed the soil for healthier plants and grass that require less fertilizer and watering.
  • Repurpose: Composting is a great backyard science experiment that will leave you with a valuable nutrient-rich garden additive. Among gardeners, compost is known as “black gold” because of its many benefits as a soil amendment, including improvement of soil structure, aiding microbial activity, moderating soil temperatures and moisture levels, and providing slow-release, organic nutrients. Any organic material can be composted. However, some items are more desirable and easier to work with than others. Yard waste such as leaves, grass clippings, straw, and nonwoody plant clippings produce high-quality compost with relative ease. You can also throw in kitchen waste (such as coffee grounds, egg shells, and vegetable scraps), sawdust, and wood ash. Stray from adding pet feces, which can transmit diseases, or meat, bones, whole eggs, or dairy products, which may attract rodents.

Want to learn more? This document from the UK Cooperative Extension Service is full of information for composting beginners.

>> At Kentucky Farm Bureau, we’re just as invested in your home as you are. We help protect what’s important to you – from farms and fishing boats to minivans and mobile homes. To see a full list of products we insure, click here.

Did you know that approximately half of Kentucky is farmland?

That means Kentucky drivers are pretty likely to encounter slow-moving farm equipment on the roadways – especially during planting and harvest seasons. During these times, farmers often need to move equipment from one field to another, but sometimes those transitions require their machinery to travel down or across public roads.

According to Kentucky State Police statistics, there were 208 collisions involving tractors and other farm equipment on Kentucky roadways in 2022, the latest report available. 73 of those accidents were labeled by state police as the result of "inattention" – further proof that increased caution during harvest and planting season is needed to prevent tragedy. Other prevalent causes for collisions included failing to yield right-of-way and improper passing.   

Check out these tips on how to be a polite motorist in the presence of farm equipment:

• Watch for road signs. Many roads next to farms will have a yellow sign with the silhouette of a farmer on a tractor posted to warn drivers that they are entering an area where slow-moving vehicles are likely to be on the road.
• Don't assume the farmer knows you are there. While most farmers check frequently for vehicles approaching from behind them, their focus must remain on the road ahead. Also remember that farm machinery is very loud and may prevent the operator from hearing your vehicle's approach.
• Keep your distance to ensure farmers can see your vehicle in their mirrors.      
• Stay back and don't tailgate. The triangular slow-moving vehicle emblem displayed on the back of farm equipment signifies that the machinery will not be traveling at high speeds and maneuverability is limited. Additionally, if the farm equipment you are following pulls to the right side of the road, it does not necessarily mean it is making room for you to pass. It is quite possible that the farmer is slowing down and drifting right to gain extra room for a wide left turn.      
• Use extreme caution when passing. If you cannot clearly see what lies ahead of both your vehicle and the equipment you intend to get ahead of, do not pass. Never pass farm equipment when approaching a hill or curve, and do not attempt to pass when you are within 100 yards of an intersection, bridge, railroad crossing or tunnel.  Additionally, turbulence created by speeding past machinery may cause it to sway and become unstable.   
• Exhibit patience and slow down as soon as you spot a piece of farm equipment. Those tractors don’t want to be on the road any more than you want them to be. You are not the only one eager to get the farm equipment off the road and out of the way. Farmers must move their machinery carefully along roadways and have lower maximum speeds by which they can travel. When traveling behind these slow-moving vehicles, patiently wait for the operator to find an appropriate time to let you pass. Don't assume this can be done at any time. The farmer must survey the shoulder of the road for an area that is not soft, wet or steep and can support the weight of the equipment without causing it to tip.

Farmers are part of what makes Kentucky the great state it is – keep them in mind when traveling our state’s beautiful roads. 

>> In Kentucky, there’s so much to live for. Join us in driving distraction-free. To learn more about distracted driving’s prevalence in the Bluegrass State, click here.

Life insurance: One of those things many people don’t think about… until it’s too late.

We understand – no one wants to think about dying. But do you ever wonder how your loved ones would fare should something ever happen to you? If someone depends on you financially, life insurance is a topic you shouldn’t avoid.   

There are many different types of life insurance, but in every plan, the goal is the same: to provide money from your active policy to your beneficiaries after you die. These proceeds can be used to manage financial obligations in the absence of your income. In more direct terms, life insurance can help keep your family from having to make drastic changes to future plans following your death.        

Life insurance payments can be used to cover a variety of things like:

• End-of-life expenses, such as uncovered medical bills and the cost of your funeral and burial. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the median cost of an adult funeral with viewing and burial, according to a recent study, was $8.300.   
• Unpaid debts, like a home mortgage or car loan, credit card debt, taxes, and estate settlement costs. When someone dies owing a debt, the debt usually does not go away. Generally, the deceased person’s estate is responsible for paying any unpaid debts, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
• Day-to-day expenses, like groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, and clothing. Would your family take a financial hit if you weren’t bringing home a regular paycheck? Life insurance can help cover ongoing expenses for your family.
• Future needs, like your spouse’s retirement or your child’s education. According to the most recent report released by the United States Department of Agriculture, it takes a whopping $233,610 to raise a child. The study has not been updated since 2017, but when adjusted for inflation, the number jumps to $312,202 in 2024 dollars, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Do you want your spouse to have to pay for that alone?       

Yes, we understand that delving into the world of life insurance for the first time can be an overwhelming task. At KFB Insurance, we want to make choosing life insurance for your family's needs as stress-free as possible by giving you the information you need to make educated decisions. KFB Insurance is proud to offer life insurance coverage through Southern Farm Bureau^® Life Insurance Company. Click here to get in touch with a local agent who can help you pick a plan.   
 

12 months. 52 weeks. 365 days. In just one year, a whole lot can change in your life. You may buy a new car or house, change careers or retire, get married, or have a child. We’d venture to say that not everyone thinks about insurance first during these exciting times, but failure to make necessary updates to your policies when your life situation changes can lead to gaps in coverage. That’s why we recommend an annual insurance review.

Once a year, take a few moments to sit down with your Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance agent and make sure you have the correct coverages for your current possessions and state of life.  During an annual review, your agent can look for ways to save you money and check for gaps in coverage. For instance, if you recently remodeled your house, causing the appraisal value to increase, your current policy may not have enough coverage to rebuild your home in its current state. That’s why it’s important to come to the meeting with your agent ready to ask a lot of questions and discuss many different potential scenarios. After all, insurance is all about the “what-ifs” in life.

Life changes and insurance changes go hand-in-hand. In between annual reviews, we recommend you alert your agent if you experience any of the following:

• Add a new driver   
• Become an “empty nester”
• Buy or sell a car
• Buy or sell a home      
• Experience a death in the family
• Get married or divorced   
• Make a major purchase    
• Make home improvements, additions, or changes
• Move
• Open a business    
• Retire 
• Send a child off to college
• Start a family (birth or adoption) 
• Switch careers     

Ready to get started? Call your local KFB Insurance agent today.
 

>>At Kentucky Farm Bureau, we’re just as invested in your home as you are. We help protect what’s important to you – from farms and fishing boats to minivans and mobile homes. To see a full list of products we insure, click here.

Check out the video below and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more Tools and Resources.

Holding autumn closest to my heart.

It doesn't take long, once the days of October draw near, that pumpkin season suddenly appears at our house. We have pumpkin decorations, and pumpkin candles, and pumpkin pie. And let's not forget the pumpkin coffee.

All these “pumpkiny" things remind me of the coming fall as summer slips away. I feel very fortunate to live in a place where we experience four distinct seasons and the beauty each one brings.

But autumn could be my favorite time of year. It’s not just the pumpkins, although I’m a huge pumpkin pie fan. For me, there is so much to enjoy about this season.

The fall colors with the changing of the leaves are something I wait for with great anticipation each year. It's like my part of the world is a canvas and the good Lord paints a beautiful picture of reds, and yellows, and orange.

And as they fall and fill the creek behind my house, the water becomes a painting all its own. I could just sit for hours and watch each leaf find its resting place in the quiet water.

Then there is the sound of nearby tractors and combines of my farmer neighbors bringing in the harvest, something we should all be thankful for. While some may feel it’s a distraction, for me it is music to my ears to know these hard-working people are continuing a tradition none of us can live without.

Speaking of food, there are distinctive dishes that come with the fall, including all kinds of stews, and soups, and my favorite chili. When I think about it, nothing beats a good bowl of chili on a cool autumn day.

While I know that this special time of year will give way to winter sooner than we think, I try to soak up as much of its goodness as I can before the heavy coats come out of the closet once again.

I know many people who live in regions where the changing of the seasons can only be recognized by the calendar on the wall, and if that is what they enjoy, I am happy for them.

As for me though, each season brings its own “specialness” with sights and sounds that belong to each one respectively. From the budding of spring flowers to the first snows of winter, I only wish each season could last a little longer.

I will marvel at the time spent and the joy I experience with each passing season, understanding they are gifts from above. But I will still hold autumn closest to my heart, as I continue to make my way, down the backroads.

Tim Thornberry
Editor, KFB News

A mixed bag of weather events has harvest numbers varying.

MORGANTOWN, Ky. -  As Kentucky corn and soybean producers move through their harvest season, yields have varied depending on farm locations and whether Mother Nature was kind or not.  

Producers in the western part of the state seemed to fare better as of late September than those further east.

Chad Lee, extension professor for grain crops at the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (UKMGCA) and director of the UK Grain and Forage Center of Excellence said in referring to the growing season, this year has been a tale of two regions.

“It's really dramatically different from west to east this year and I would tell farmers, don’t judge your farming ability based off of this year,” he said.

Lee noted that the growing season has not been so much about total precipitation but the timing of those rainfalls.

"In general, the (western) part of the state's doing pretty good, and some crops will be the best ever; a lot of it will be top-five yields," he said. "However, full-season soybeans have had a difficult time but some of the double crop beans might be a little bit better."

Crop conditions can be tracked by the weekly reports from the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Eastern Mountain Regional Field Office. The most current report, as of press time, indicated the state's soybean crop was 46 percent good and seven percent excellent, while the corn crop was listed as 54 percent good and 13 percent excellent.

NASS was still calling for a record soybean crop, as of September 1, in Kentucky along with the sixth largest corn crop.  However, by the time the agency’s October and November reports are released, those numbers could change. There are two more NASS forecasts to be released on October 1 and November 8.

The growers’ perspective

Shane Wells, a producer from Butler County said he is hopeful for a good harvest despite the dry weather experienced late in the growing season.

“We've had really good weather up until about the middle of August and then it started getting dry, but we think our crops are looking pretty good,” he said. “We’re just afraid that this heat and dry weather may have trimmed some (yield) off the top.”

As the harvest part of the season began, Wells said that some farmers in his area who had earlier planted crops have been pretty pleased with yields so far.

While their production numbers may be good, budgets are another story as grain prices have fallen throughout the summer.

"The numbers weren't good on early budgets, and they haven't gotten better through the growing season," Wells said. "I guess farmers are always looking for that glimmer of hope and probably right now, it's that we've worked through some of this extra supply that we've had from this old  crop and that maybe new crop prices will get a rebound after the first of the year."

Wells recognizes the balancing act that goes along with raising a crop, but as a fifth-generation farmer, he has seen years like this one before.  In addition to his on-farm activities, Wells has been on the Butler County Conservation Board since 1993, and currently serves on the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts (KACD) having been its president for four years, from 2018 to 2022. He also serves as a director for the Kentucky Soybean Association as well as a committee member on the Kentucky Farm Bureau Environmental Stewardship and Grain Crops Advisory Committees.

“We can do everything exactly right, and a week or two of bad weather, whether it's wet or dry, can totally change the whole season,” he said. “But I hope that we're going to be pleasantly surprised with yields. We expect we'll have to do some drying on the corn and get it out in a timely fashion, and then hope that the markets make a little bit of a rebound for us.”

Jason McGlone farms at the other end of the state in Carter County. This sixth-generation farmer has seen his share of tough seasons, as well, and is staying somewhat optimistic as he moves further into his harvest. But the summer drought conditions have taken a toll on this year's corn and soybean crops.

The family farm was founded in 1883 and today consists of corn, wheat, soybeans, and hay crops, along with their cattle operation. The McGlones also operate a family farm supply store.

“Beginning in the spring, it was wet for us like everyone else so, we didn't get in the fields to start planting until the first week of May,” he said. “After that, we had a good stretch of weather but by June it just turned dry.”

McGlone, who serves as Carter County’s Generation Bridge Chair and sits on the KFB Grain Crops Advisory Committee, said their wheat harvest was decent and their double crop beans received some rain in July but not much after that. He added that there are spots in their corn that look good while others do not at all.

"Our full-season beans look decent, but time will tell,” he said. “I don't think that we are going to have half the bean size that we normally get. It’s just really been an odd year.”

The weather perspective

Dr. Jerry Brotzge, Kentucky State Climatologist, and director of the Kentucky Climate Center and Kentucky Mesonet said following the sixth wettest May on record, the summer (Jun-Aug) was the 36th warmest and the 31st driest on record leaving much of the state in various stages of drought from abnormally dry conditions to severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor information as of its September 26 report.

In fact, Western Kentucky had been dealing with a rapidly developing ‘flash drought’, whereas Eastern Kentucky was dealing with a longer-term drought, along with Ohio and West Virginia.

That is until Hurricane Helene showed up, wreaking havoc from Florida and Georgia, through North Carolina and Tennessee and finally parking over Kentucky as a tropical depression. The winds and rain (as much as six inches in some areas)  caused numerous power outages, unknown structure and tree damage, with the possibility of some crop damage.

“So far this summer, we've had three tropical systems bring much-needed rain to the state: Hurricane Beryl in July, Hurricane Francine in mid-September, and now Hurricane Helene which is expected to reduce drought's impacts as we head into this fall,” Brotzge said. 

He added that our history is filled with tropical storms that passed through the state during droughts.

“A few examples include Hurricane Isidore in 2002, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and Tropical Storm Olga in 2019, and now, Hurricane Helene.

While helping with dry conditions, it comes a little too late to aid much of the cropland in Kentucky.

The market perspective

Even in sub-par growing seasons, Kentucky producers have steadily upped yield production over the years validating their high-level knowledge of just what it takes to be productive on the farm, no matter the weather.

The market environment is a different story, however, as farm families have been at the mercy of a volatile market environment they have faced this year.

KFB Commodity Marketing Specialist Taylor Thompson said marketing corn and soybeans brings with it a lot of uncertainty.

“Ensuring the crop is harvested in a timely manner and transported to the desired location poses several challenges,” he said. “Tack on downward price pressures and the uncertainty only increases. The substantial declines in corn and soybean prices have certainly shifted the equation for many producers.”

Thompson added that storing corn when the cash price is above $5 versus $4 is a very different financial situation for producers.

“With that said, we are now transitioning to a phase where much discussion, is currently, and will be, around crop carryout to the new year, Mississippi River levels as it pertains to transporting grain, export demand, and Brazilian crop planting progress,” he said. “Fluctuations in price will largely depend on the narrative around these matters paired with the supply and demand situation. Commodity markets are very dynamic, and opportunities can appear at any time.”

As we move forward into our harvest, it has been a growing season of mixed conditions, to say the least. In talking with many of our farm families throughout the state, I see that there are those with banner crops and others who have struggled from start to finish.

I don’t need to recap what most of you have experienced from a wet May to drought conditions through much of the late summer, to a tropical storm that swept through the state last month.

Producing our crops this year, from a weather perspective, is just one of the challenges we have faced. Low commodity prices, coupled with continued high inputs and export markets that have been as dry as the summer drought have left many producers facing uncertainties. And then there’s the challenge of getting the most important piece of legislation for agriculture across the finish line.

As we draw closer to election day, we seem to get further away from the passage of a Farm Bill.  Even so, we have and will continue insisting that Congress get our agriculture industry this critical piece of legislation.  We are at a point in this present-day farm economy where we need the provisions included in the bill more than ever before, and every day we delay passage is one more day of concern for an already weary ag community.

As important as agriculture is to the very existence of us all, it makes no sense to me that politics takes precedence over principle. It’s not that we want this legislation, we need it, all of us need it, not just farmers and those who depend on the ag industry to make a living.

By the time you read this column, it’s anyone’s guess as to whether a decision will have been made as to the fate of getting a farm bill passed this year or waiting until a new Congress takes over. I assure you we have done everything we possibly could to move forward on this issue during the current Congressional session.

Unfortunately, many lawmakers seem to have had bigger fish to fry while farm families have been put in a holding pattern.  This should come as no surprise given how few members of Congress have close ties to agriculture today. If there is a silver lining to all this, it would be that Kentucky has legislators at all levels who understand the vital nature of our ag industry and the most important piece of legislation associated with it. They have our most heart-felt gratitude for their efforts.

For the other Congressional leaders who have chosen to not move forward on this issue, they must understand one thing: the people who produce the food we all eat need a comprehensive bill that will help ensure we stay in the business of producing our own food. Let’s get this thing done.

By the way, it is possible to pass laws in a lame-duck session. So, to paraphrase our American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, we've kicked this can down the road long enough.  

Let’s exercise some common sense instead of just kicking the can and make this happen. Our farm families depend on it, our rural communities and agri-businesses depend on it, and ultimately every last person in this country and beyond depends on it…whether they know it or not.

Eddie Melton, President
Kentucky Farm Bureau 

This fall favorite is becoming more popular with Kentucky farm families.

EDMONTON, Ky. – There aren’t too many things that indicate fall has arrived more than the sight of pumpkins at nearly every retail food store, in farmers’ markets, and through direct farm sales. And while this state may be better known for corn, soybeans, and tobacco from a crop perspective, pumpkins are proving to be an important addition to the farm.

Brandon Bell, the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (UKMGCA) Agriculture and Natural Resources extension agent in Metcalfe County has worked with pumpkins for many years and helps other growers get started in what is becoming a lucrative business.

“I started growing pumpkins in the mid-nineties and have grown them for about 30 years,” he said. “I became an extension agent 20 years ago and have been able to take what I've learned from being a grower over those years and apply that along with UK's research.”

Bell not only works with growers in his county but surrounding areas and across the state, helping them succeed in their pumpkin-growing efforts.

“I feel like production is continuing to increase and there are a lot of people getting into it,” he said. “Some are doing strictly wholesale, and others are doing retail. There are also many roadside markets, and agritourism venues that sell pumpkins.”

However growers are selling their pumpkins, Bell said there's been a good market over the past several years as more people are setting up stands and inviting people to their farms.

Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, a pumpkin grower himself, said the industry has the ability to expand in this state. 

“We're not a big pumpkin state right now, but there's no question that we can grow more, and we are in a perfect location to sell more to southern states,” he said.  “Building that market out will be a challenge for some but we can be a pumpkin state.”

Bell agreed saying it can also be a very money-making crop.

“We have some challenges because of our humidity, and we have some disease pressure, but we can definitely grow a good crop of pumpkins here and it can be very profitable based on the yield that we can get,” he said. “Once you get much further south from here, it gets kind of difficult to grow them, but that puts us at an advantage because a lot of our pumpkins here go south.”

UK research efforts have increased helping producers combat the challenges associated with pumpkin production as the number of producers continues to grow.

“There's been new interest in research and the university is looking into things like disease management and there have been more trials lately,” Bell said. “I think people are beginning to realize how important pumpkin production could be to Kentucky's ag industry and are going to continue to start looking into the crop more as far as research is concerned.”

In addition to more research efforts, much of the growth of this specialty crop can be associated with Kentucky’s bustling agritourism industry bringing non-farmers to the farm.

“Pumpkins and corn mazes in the fall are agriculture's best tool for getting people who are non-farm on the farm,” Shell said. “And it's a huge opportunity that we have in this state to educate non-farm residents about what a farm looks like.”

His pumpkin crop goes along with a diverse operation that includes cattle, hay, row crops, corn for silage, and on-farm greenhouses.

“We had about 25 acres of pumpkins this year and that has fit in well as far as diversifying our operation,” Shell said.  “And while growing pumpkins isn’t easy, it’s one of my favorite things to do on the farm. It’s fun because pumpkins make people happy.”

As Kentucky agriculture moves further and further from what was once an industry dominated by tobacco, farm families have continued to look for new or different crops on the farm and pumpkins have become another tool in their farming toolbox.

“They're not only one more opportunity for our farm families, but I think they're one of the best opportunities,” Bell said. “I've looked into a lot of things and people have tried a lot of things to replace tobacco. I think pumpkins come closer to replacing tobacco than anything out there.”

As harvest season continues, farm families are doing what they do best, producing the safest, most plentiful, most inexpensive food of any country in the world. But they’re doing it without the benefit of a new Farm Bill, the one piece of legislation they depend on the most.

They are now asking Congressional members, "Why won't you pass this bill?"

A letter sent last month to Congressional leaders from the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and all 51 state Farm Bureaus, including the territory of Puerto Rico, explains the urgency of passing this legislation, a message they have been saying for months.

A portion of the letter states:

"The ongoing struggles of the agricultural economy have painted a grim reality for many farmers and ranchers – many of whom have thrown in the towel. The most recent Census of Agriculture shows there were 141,733 fewer farms in the U.S. in 2022 than in 2017. The number of acres in production agriculture fell to 880,100,848, a loss of more than 20 million acres from just five years earlier. This should be a major concern for consumers who rely on farmers and ranchers for a stable domestic food supply. To change this trajectory, leaders in Congress must get serious about investing more resources in the farm safety net. It is no fault of hardworking farmers and ranch families that Congress's dysfunction has resulted in a major delay of the farm bill, putting agriculture and our national food security in serious jeopardy."

In an exclusive message to Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) members, AFBF President Zippy Duvall said our farmers need help, and they need it now.

"We appreciated the hard work the House and Senate Ag Committees did this past spring to lay the groundwork for a new, modernized farm bill," he said. "However, it has now been over 120 days since either chamber has had any meaningful progress. We need Congress to put politics aside and do their job. They have done it in the past, and they can do it now. Farmers need a new, modernized farm bill, and we cannot afford for Congress to fail us now."

Kentucky Farm Bureau President Eddie Melton said the time for action has long since gone by and a Farm Bill must get passed before the Congressional clock for this year runs out.

"Farm families are generally some of the most patient people in the world, but our patience is running thin," he said. "I simply can't understand why so many of our government leaders don't see the urgency in getting this bill passed. We're talking about legislation that ultimately affects our nation's food supply, and food security is national security. Thank goodness our state's Congressional leaders understand the importance of agriculture."

An extension for the most current 2018 Farm Bill was passed on September 30, 2023, and, at press time, was scheduled to expire on September 30, 2024.

Many thought another extension would be included in the latest stop-gap spending bill that passed last month. But both House and Senate Ag Committee chairs said "no" to that and now it remains anyone's guess as to whether it can be done by a Congress that won’t convene again until after the November election.

Melton said farm families in this state and across the country deserve to have a comprehensive Farm Bill passed and passed now for a lot of reasons.

 "The devastation from Hurricane Helene has served as a tragic reminder of the importance of a strong, updated agriculture safety net, something the Farm Bill will supply,” he said. “Many farmers across the southeast were just beginning or about to begin harvest season when Helene made landfall. Now, many are facing a total loss."

Melton added that it’s important to keep up our advocacy efforts to let our government leaders know how important this bill is to an industry that produces the nation’s food supply.

“It’s equally important to continually educate a general public far removed from the farm so they will come to realize the urgency of passing a new Farm Bill,” he said.

The purpose of the Kentucky Farm Bureau Young Farmer Program is to provide opportunities for young adults to participate in the overall Farm Bureau program and give responsibility in areas that will best develop their leadership potential.

As Kentucky Farm Bureau begins to celebrate the 75th anniversary of its Young Farmer Program, its director Taylor Nash is excited about the program’s history, as well as its future.

“I'm blessed to have the opportunity to lead a lot of the efforts within the program, but I think I'm getting just as much as any participant,” he said. “I'm getting to sit there beside them as they're going through training opportunities or sit on a phone call as we start thinking strategically about how to grow this program in a county. And it's fun to be alongside this journey rather than looking from an outside perspective.”

Nash said the program has a storied history but he is just as excited about what the future holds.

“In looking back, it's been exciting to see the new programs and things that we've added on throughout the year,” he said. “Now that we're approaching 75 years, it just seems like the perfect time to step away and appreciate all of the success that has happened to get us to this point.”

The Young Farmer Program members range in age from 18 to 35 and participate in several events and training opportunities learning everything from policy development to advocacy.

“We want to make sure these young voices are heard and the way that we do that is help them grow and train to be leaders in our industry as well as within the organization as they start this journey with Farm Bureau,” Nash said.

As the average age of the farmer has increased over the past few years, bringing the next generation both to the farm and to Farm Bureau is important in keeping farms sustainable and ag advocacy efforts continuing for the future.

“It’s not that our young people aren’t interested in agriculture, but in getting the resources and access to the ability to get in this industry, and they can't do that alone,” Nash said. One of the things about this program that is important to me is doing what we can to help them find the resources they need to be able to be on the farm and be involved in this industry.”

With the goal of the long-standing Young Farmer program being to develop young individuals into ag industry leaders, it is no surprise we see countless past and present Farm Bureau board members who were a part of the program, whether that is winning a contest themselves or being on the advisory committee. Current President Eddie Melton even began his Farm Bureau career with the Young Farmer program. He said the more opportunities that can be provided to the next agricultural generation, the better.

"Our youth and young farmers represent the future for our organization, the agriculture industry, and civic leadership at all levels," he said. "The more we can do for them through programs like Young Farmers, IFAL (Institute for Future Agricultural Leaders), and Collegiate Farm Bureau, the better our future will be on and off the farm."

Nash said all of these programs work together to ensure the success of those involved and to help support the Farm Bureau now and in the future. It has been impactful for the last 75 years with no plans on slowing down.

“We’ve had a great 75 years, and if I'm here in 75 more, still doing this, that's wonderful,” he said. “I know there's some really good things coming in 2025 and 2026, and we have our eyes set on the future.”

By American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall

Every day, rain or shine, farmers rise and get to work. Whether we’re tired or stressed, we press on. If we disagree with a family member, we find a way forward. We don’t stall on planting or harvesting or caring for our animals. We are committed to doing our jobs in all seasons because we know our families and yours are counting on us. So, it’s beyond me—and most farmers I talk to—how Congress can sit it out on a critical job like passing a farm bill.

We cannot afford for Congress to put off doing their job because Americans are counting on farmers to do ours. Congress is failing farmers right now by failing to pass a modernized farm bill. The farm bill expired September 30. That’s unacceptable.

I’ve heard from all our farmers and ranchers across the country that they are struggling. The latest USDA Census of Agriculture painted a concerning picture of the farm economy landscape. We lost more than 140,000 farms in a five-year time span as of 2022, and even in a season when net farm income was higher, more than half of farms were not making a profit. 

The latest numbers from USDA’s farm income forecast also show a 23% drop in net farm income since 2022. How many people, how many families, could withstand losing a quarter of their income in two years? If these same numbers were reflected in the overall economy, we would have heard talk of a recession already. What we’re seeing in the farm economy isn't just a hiccup, it's evidence of an agricultural recession. 

It’s no wonder that more farmers are finding it challenging to remain economically sustainable. In the meantime, the current farm safety net is so out of date that it won’t even trigger for many family farms who face big drops in income. 

Our farmers need help, and they need it now. We appreciated the hard work the House and Senate Ag Committees did this past spring to lay the groundwork for a new, modernized farm bill. However, it has now been over 120 days since either chamber has had any meaningful progress. We need Congress to put politics aside and do their job. They have done it in the past, and they can do it now. Farmers need a new, modernized farm bill, and we cannot afford for Congress to fail us now. 

The farm bill is more accurately called a food and farm bill. It truly impacts all Americans. In addition to supporting farmers who produce our food, it supports many Americans who are struggling to make ends meet through federal nutrition programs. Inflation and food affordability are top of mind for most voters right now, according to our latest research. More than 80% of adults, across urban, suburban and rural areas, are concerned about these rising costs. A new farm bill will help us reach a worthy goal of ensuring no one in America goes hungry. 

As we know across farm country, higher food costs don’t mean a higher return on the farm. Most farmers continue to face slim margins at best. While costs are up, farm bill programs and risk management tools have not kept up to ensure farmers can weather the storms, which threaten to drive them out of business. The time is now, not next year, to renew and improve risk management programs. 

For all that the farm bill provides, altogether it is roughly 2% of all federal spending. Within that small slice, farm programs—including research, conservation and risk management—make up only three tenths of one percent of the federal budget. Slice it down even further, and crop insurance is just one tenth of a percent of federal spending. For a deeper dive on the significant return on investment that crop insurance provides, at a cost of less than two and a half dollars a month for each American, check out this Market Intel report. What’s more, that cost has remained relatively stable over the last 15 years. Don’t tell me that farmers don’t know how to stretch a dollar! But with inflation on the rise, commodity prices dropping, and labor costs skyrocketing, it’s nearly impossible for many small- and medium-sized family farms to stay afloat when times get tough. The farm bill isn’t the only tool to ensure the long-term sustainability, and survival, of our family farms and ranches, but it is an essential one.

There’s another important thing to remember. According to the 2024 Feeding the Economy report, economic output related to agriculture grew by more than a trillion dollars since last year. A trillion dollars! That’s a remarkable reminder of the role our farms and ranches play across the supply chain. Agriculture contributes to 20% of U.S. economic activity. Just let that sink in for a minute. One fifth of our nation’s economic output would not be possible without the nearly 2 million farms across our country.

What’s more—agriculture supports more than 48 million jobs in the U.S. From manufacturing of farm equipment to stocking food on grocery shelves, there are millions of Americans heading to work today who can trace how their job in some way connects to or is impacted by agriculture. These jobs up and down the supply chain—food scientists, veterinarians, restaurant workers, truck drivers, and the list goes on—are on the rise too, up 20% since 2020. Hopefully this helps to paint the bigger picture of why the farm bill is such a worthy investment.

A lot can change in a short time, and a lot has. Since the last farm bill was passed and signed in 2018, we have seen a dramatic shift in the economy—both at home and abroad. From a pandemic to major conflicts overseas, our supply chain is stretched, and costs have gone up for everything from seeds to fuel to labor. Some farmers have reported to me that they don’t expect to make a dime this year but they’re still caring for their crops and preparing for harvest because that’s just what we do. But farmers can’t take losses year after year and stay in business. Leaving the farm bill outdated places American farms at risk. And with 7% fewer farms in the U.S. since the last time a farm bill was passed, that’s a risk none of us can afford to take. 

The shrinking landscape of American agriculture should concern everyone—and our research shows that it does. An overwhelming majority of Americans (80%) agree that farmers should have access to critical risk management tools to ensure the stability of our food supply. Urban, suburban and rural adults alike want lawmakers to support and promote the economic sustainability of farms and ranches, according to our research. Add to that, the fact that a strong majority of adults (76%) believe that ensuring our nation has reliable access to domestically grown food should be a matter of national security, especially as we face global unrest. So, there really is no excuse for Congressional inaction. None.

As we move closer to the time for Kentucky Farm Bureau’s (KFB) annual meeting, I’m reminded of how important our KFB advisory committees are to the success of this organization as they are meeting now and proposing policy recommendations.

We have more than two dozen advisory committees that deal with topics ranging from all the farm commodities common in Kentucky to issues of importance to rural areas.

Their recommendations along with many proposals that come from county Farm Bureau meetings will go before our Resolutions Committee members when they convene in November at the state office. These members are elected in their respective districts and will discuss every resolution recommendation that has been offered. Each year we will see around 1,000 different resolutions.

All resolution proposals will be considered by the committee. As part of this process, agreed-upon policy recommendations will then be sent to and voted on by member delegates during our annual meeting.

This process of adopting policy from the grassroots level has served KFB well for more than a century. I think it is one of the things that makes KFB so successful and unique.  As first vice president, I am honored to be taking over the role of Resolutions Committee Chair.

While I am very familiar with our resolution process, it is always exciting to see this advocacy in action each year and to hear from our members about issues that are affecting their farms, their communities, and the agriculture industry that sustains us all.

We have often seen many of our policies and priorities become the basis for consideration on certain pieces of legislation at both the state and national levels.

That one conversation that takes place in a county meeting or through an advisory committee meeting can often turn into a new law that benefits farm families across this state and perhaps the entire country.

We don’t take it lightly or for granted. It is a part of the foundation that supports our organization and enables us to continue to be the Voice of Kentucky Agriculture.

My promise to our members, as I become Resolutions Committee Chair, is to do my very best to support this process that has stood the test of time for decades and will continue to do so for generations of KFB members to come.

This model of grassroots advocacy has served KFB well since its beginning more than 100 years ago. I hope that in the next 100 years, whoever will be serving as leaders of this organization can look back in time and see the value in this tradition and the efforts put forth by so many from so long ago, as we do now.  

Shane Wiseman
KFB 1st Vice President

The unsung heroes of “back to school.”

As I left my house for work a few mornings ago, I noticed the big yellow school bus making its way through our neck of the woods for the first day back in our county.

It’s a familiar site twice a day through the school year, and each time I see it, I’m reminded of the days of sending our children to school. But even further back than that, I remember well the bus trips I made with my siblings and many of the bus drivers who were tasked with getting us to school and back safely.

When you think about it, that is an incredibly important job. They are the first “school people” most of these bus riders see every day and the last as they make their way home.

As a very shy first grader, I remember well seeing my bus driver's smiling face and hearing his comforting words of "Good morning" as I boarded the big yellow bus every day. Had it not been for him, I believe I would have turned and run for home those first few days.

When my family moved and I had to change schools, the first thing I thought of and felt most apprehensive about was that I would also have to change bus drivers.

But my fears were laid to rest as I stepped onto the new bus for a new school that first day. The driver was equally as friendly and I'm sure he could sense my nervousness and made every effort to give me a little comfort by giving me a front-row seat.

As I got older and began to participate in sports, I found our bus drivers who were in charge of getting each team to our destinations, to be very supportive, cheering us on as if they were our parents.

I guess, in a way, they were, for those moments in time when they were in charge of our safety and well-being during these many after-school trips.

As much as I respect the job all teachers and administrators do to educate our children, I do believe the many bus drivers that face the roads each day are unsung heroes, be they in the large urban areas or driving down the many rural roads across the Commonwealth.

They often work long hours, and deal with many issues that we never think about. And in today's world, many school districts are continually looking for added drivers.

The days of getting my kids on the school bus have long passed but I do wish I had occasionally taken the time to stand with them at the bus stop to say, "Thank you for what you do,” as the doors opened.

These men and women work tirelessly to support our school districts and get our children to and from school and school-related events. A simple “Thank You,” is the least we can do to show how much we appreciate them.

The next time you see a school bus on the road, make sure to obey the stop sign and give the driver a friendly wave and a smile, as we travel down the backroads. 

Tim Thornberry, Editor
Kentucky Farm Bureau News

On a warm September afternoon, dozens of local and state agriculture leaders gathered in a tobacco barn in Green County to hear from Congressman Brett Guthrie.

While this setting may seem unusual to many other federal officials, Kentucky's Congressional leaders don't hesitate when asked to attend such ag-related gatherings.

Guthrie said these types of meetings are of great value to him.

“While I'm not on the Agriculture Committee, I’m obviously responsible for voting for a farm bill that's effective for the people I represent, and fits within our values and standards,” he said. “Having the feedback from people who deal with it every day is extremely important.”

The farm bill has been a hot topic over the past year, especially in the last few months as the current extension of the 2018 Farm Bill comes to an end and a push is being made across the country to get the next one passed before the end of the year.

“It's good to hear how this legislation will affect (farm families), and how an effective farm bill will be good for them, and also how over-regulation hurts the industry that they represent,” he said. “I hear things that are going on in DC or in the farm bill that I may or may not fully understand, so I listen to what (farmers) are saying,” Guthrie said. “That's how I learn, and I learn more by asking people what they think.”

That kind of relationship is indicative of most of the Commonwealth’s federal delegation and serves to continue Kentucky Farm Bureau’s (KFB) grassroots type of advocacy, according to KFB First Vice President Shane Wiseman.

“From the very beginning of this organization, it is our members who have and continue to direct us as strong advocates for their farms and our agriculture industry,” he said. “The relationships they build and foster with our Congressional leaders help to ensure we have a seat at the table when discussing ag-related issues. I think it also serves as an example of how effective these types of interactions can be when it comes to passing solid farm policy.”

In August, staff from most of the state’s Congressional leaders’ offices joined KFB and the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (UKMGCA) for the Kentucky Agriculture Policy Tour visiting various farms, agri-businesses, and University facilities to learn about issues in the state and get an up-close look at many initiatives taking place in the state.

KFB Director of National Affairs and Government Relations Ericka King said it’s important for leaders and staff in Washington to get back to their states to hear firsthand from constituents.

“I had the privilege of spending almost five years in the Senate as an agriculture, energy, and environment policy advisor to Senator (Rand) Paul and whenever there was an opportunity to come to Kentucky and meet with constituents on their turf, I took it,” she said. “The importance of having those in DC who help shape policy come back to the states and districts they work for – to see the issues up-close – cannot be overstated. There are some talented staffers in our delegation and I’m so glad they were able to come and see all Kentucky agriculture has to offer. They truly listened to our members, asked insightful questions, and left with a wealth of knowledge they can utilize back in DC.”

Nancy Cox, Vice President for Land-grant Engagement and UKMGCA Dean said it was a pleasure to host our federal stakeholders on campus with our close partner Kentucky Farm Bureau.

“The work we do to education, research and service to support farm families, communities and Kentuckians across the Commonwealth begins with our federal partners and critical programs authorized by the Farm Bill,” she added. “We work at the leading-edge to expand industry capacity and profitability, grow our workforce and improve community health.”

KFB Second Vice President Larry Clark’s farm hosted one of the tour stops, as well as Guthrie’s visit. He said having national leaders get an in-depth look at the state’s agriculture industry helps to further advocacy efforts now and in the future.

“In order to keep new generations coming to the farm and being involved in our industry we must develop and maintain solid relationships with our local, state, and national leaders,” he said. “KFB has a stellar reputation in doing just that and we hope to continue these types of visits in the future.”

Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) today announced that Brenda Paul of Bourbon County has been selected as the 2024 KFB Kentucky Farmer of the Year. She will be presented with this prestigious award during the organization’s annual meeting in December.  

The annual KFB Farmer of the Year award recognizes an individual whose efforts strengthen the state’s agriculture industry and demonstrate service and leadership, both on and off the farm. 

Brenda Paul and her husband, Austin, have led a successful farming operation, Timberlawn Farm, since 1994. The farm, located in Paris, Ky., raises beef cattle, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa and other forage crops, as well as Thoroughbred horses. Brenda Paul also co-owns Cattle Marketing Group (CMG), a nationwide cattle dealer, with her husband. The couple’s two sons have joined their parents in the family businesses, with Nelson working full time at Timberlawn Farm, and Spencer focusing most of his time at CMG and working part time at the farm.

“I am honored to be selected as Kentucky Farm Bureau’s Farmer of the Year,” said Paul. “Operating a family farm is hard work, but incredibly rewarding. I have enjoyed facing challenges to grow our farm business these past 30 years and plan to identify new ways we can continue to expand our operations, thrive as a family farm, and serve our community.”

Paul is known for her resilience, often taking setbacks and turning them into opportunities to increase the farm’s efficiency and ensure its longevity. This was her second year as a finalist in the Farmer of the Year program. 

“Brenda has shown tremendous leadership, perseverance, and tenacity not only on the farm, but in her community,” said KFB President Eddie Melton. “She has a passion for excellence, whether that’s in enhancing agricultural practices through technology or elevating operations through her sharp business insights and strategic financial management.”

For more information about the program, click HERE.

OFFICERS

DIRECTORS

The Women’s Mini Grant Program is a grant of up to $500 offered on a competitive basis with priority given to those programs demonstrating a need for financial support. Prior recipients must wait three years before re-applying. Deadline for submitting a Mini Grant application is October 18, 2024

The Women’s Educational Grant is a $2,500 scholarship awarded to a female non-traditional student. The applicant must be a member of Kentucky Farm Bureau for at least one year prior to applying and be a high school graduate.

2025 Kentucky Farm Bureau Women’s Education Grant Application

Deadline to submit your application is February 28, 2025.