Kentucky agriculture showcased at Sunbelt Expo

Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy

Kentucky agriculture is being showcased at this week’s Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia. Known as“North America’s Premier Farm Show,” the Expo is expected to attract more than 200,000 visitors during its three-day run that ends October 16. A diversity of technology, products and interactive educational exhibits are a must-see for farmer, agribusinessmen, and rural homeowners.

Kentucky has always been known for basketball, bluegrass music and thoroughbred horses, but at this year’s Sunbelt Expo visitors are discovering the rich agricultural heritage of the Commonwealth and the diversification efforts made possible by the more than $268 million dollars invested from the Kentucky Master Settlement Agreement.  

Representatives from Kentucky’s delegation include the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy (GOAP), Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA), and the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, who will join forces for an exhibit highlighting the state’s agriculture industry.

“The collaboration of the Kentucky delegation is a wonderful opportunity for the Commonwealth to tell our agricultural story,” said GOAP Executive Director Roger Thomas. “We have a chance to showcase and educate other states on the one-of-a-kind programs made possible by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund as well as bring back ideas from other states on issues that will enhance efficiency and profitability of agriculture.” 

Kentucky is the “spotlight state” among 10 southeastern states involved in the 2008 Sunbelt Expo. Kentucky has a 40-by-100-foot exhibit area in the heart of the 1,200 exhibitors located in the 100-acre area at a former Air Force base near Moultrie. Thomas was the keynote speaker at this year Sunbelt Expo Kick-off Luncheon, where he gave greetings from Kentucky before an expected crowd of 1,000.

The centerpiece of the Kentucky exhibit is the GOAP display featuring projects and programs that are part of the state’s historic agricultural development initiative under the Kentucky Agriculture Development Board. KDA is featuring its award-winning farm safety program and the Kentucky Proud marketing initiative along with other achievements. Among several things, the UK College of Agriculture is showcasing its equine initiative and engineering program. Kentucky Farm Bureau is promoting its service to Kentucky’s farm families with more than 460,000 members, one of the strongest Farm Bureau Federations in the country.  It also features its award-winning television program "Bluegrass and Backroads."

Monroe County dairy cattle producer Loretta Lyons represents Kentucky in the 19th annual Southeastern Farmer of the Year competition that is part of the Sunbelt Expo. The contest includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

To find out more about the Sunbelt Ag Expo, click here.