Commissioner of Agriculture

Commissioner Farmer's biography

Richie Farmer was elected Kentucky's Commissioner of Agriculture in November, 2003, and was sworn into office in January, 2004. He was re-elected to a second four year term on November 6, 2007.

Since taking office, Commissioner Farmer has fought vigorously on behalf of Kentucky's consumers and for Kentucky's agriculture industry. Commissioner Farmer recently spearheaded an effort to protect Kentucky motorists by persuading the legislature to fund a new state-of-the-art motor fuel quality laboratory. He has improved the efficiency of the Department's public protection functions by streamlining processes and introducing new technology, and by working with legislative leaders to strengthen consumer health and safety legislation. He has fought vigorously for the expansion of the state's world-class animal health diagnostic laboratories, which play a vital role in protecting the public health, as well as our signature horse industry and other vital animal agriculture industries. He has also created the Department's signature Kentucky Proud marketing program, which is helping to expand the markets for Kentucky farm products. Since the inception of the program in 2004 has grown from just under two dozen members to over 1500, and has resulted in the sale of roughly a quarter billion dollars in Kentucky Proud food and farm products since 2006.

Commissioner Farmer just ended a term as President of the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture, an organization that represents farmers and other agricultural interests from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and the US Virgin Islands. As a national agriculture leader, the Commissioner promoted the interests of Kentucky producers in the creation of the 2007 Farm Bill and other legislation.

The Commissioner believes that children are Kentucky's most important crop. As such, he has boosted funding for agricultural youth programs such as 4H and FFA, as well as youth livestock shows, even in tight budget times, because he believes they are an important investment for Kentucky's future.

Born in Clay County on Aug. 25, 1969, he is the second of Virginia and Richard Farmer's three children. Before taking office, Commissioner Farmer worked as an investment advisor in Clay County. He lives in Frankfort with his wife Rebecca and their three sons, Trey, Thomas and Tate. A 1992 graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Commissioner Farmer earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management. He was also a standout player for the UK basketball Wildcats under Coach Rick Pitino.

Over the years, Commissioner Farmer has given his time to such charitable organizations as the Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Children's Miracle Network, American Cancer Society, and Kicks for Kids.

Contact Commissioner Farmer at richie.farmer@ky.gov.

Commissioner's Corner

Kentucky Proud's strength is in its diversity

A lot of people ask me: What is Kentucky Proud? What is its purpose? What does it mean that a product is “Kentucky Proud?” What has Kentucky Proud done for Kentucky agriculture and Kentucky’s economy?

Kentucky Proud is one of Kentucky’s greatest economic development success stories in decades. Thanks to Kentucky Proud, many family farms have been saved, and numerous tobacco farmers have made a successful transition to other products. Kentucky Proud has produced jobs and economic activity in communities large and small throughout the Commonwealth.

Kentucky Proud is the official state farm marketing program. Kentucky Proud products are raised, grown and/or processed in Kentucky by Kentuckians. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture, which runs the program, provides marketing assistance, advertising cost-share funds, point-of-sale promotional items and many other services to Kentucky Proud members.

Kentucky Proud was responsible for an estimated $250 million in retail sales of Kentucky farm products through member retailers in the past three years. A 2008 University of Kentucky study found that every $1 the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund invested in Kentucky Proud returned up to $4.70 in new farm income. Kentucky Proud has grown from a few dozen members when I took office in 2004 to more than 1,800 farmers, processors, retailers, restaurants, farmers’ markets, Kentucky Farm Bureau roadside markets and Kentucky state parks.

The program’s diversity is a big reason for its success. Kentucky Proud includes farmers and businesses of every size. Hundreds of products, such as fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products, salsas, sauces, landscaping products, baked goods and wines, bear the distinctive blue, green and red Kentucky Proud label.

Growers who sell at Kentucky’s 137 farmers’ markets provide farm-fresh products and also give consumers the rare opportunity to meet the people who grow their food, which many shoppers value greatly. Other small producers grow, raise and make unique foods that have a dedicated base of consumers willing to pay a little more for such products as organic vegetables, artisan cheese and grass-fed beef.

Large Kentucky Proud businesses buy raw products from Kentucky farmers, helping them stay on the farm while providing badly needed jobs in Kentucky cities and towns. Fluid milk, fruits, vegetables, cattle, hogs and other products are processed into value-added foods that show up in stores all over the Commonwealth and beyond. The new Kentucky Proud distribution network – a partnership of three Kentucky-based, family-owned food distributors – will greatly expand the reach of some of these products, generating more jobs and farm income.

Kentucky Proud’s goals are to increase farm income and generate economic development. Kentucky Proud does not promote a specific agricultural agenda. There is plenty of room for all kinds of producers and food businesses.

Agriculture and agriculture-related industries in Kentucky accounted for $42.1 billion in economic output and more than 270,000 jobs in 2007, according to a UK study.  It’s important to the health of the state’s overall economy that we have a prosperous and growing agriculture industry.  Kentucky Proud is leading the way.