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FRANKFORT
, Ky. — Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer
is creating a new committee to study and recommend a
comprehensive plan for the future of large-scale farmers'
markets in the Commonwealth.
“These
are exciting times in agricultural marketing, with Kentucky
farmers selling more of their product at many different
levels,” Commissioner Farmer said. “We have producers
and food companies selling locally, regionally, statewide
-- and some are even trying the global marketplace.
“The
future has great promise for Kentucky agriculture, but
a lack of careful study may cause us to expend energy
and resources in directions that may not contribute
to that success.”
The
new Farmers' Market Development Committee is being convened
by Commissioner Farmer to study state-owned and –operated
farmers' markets and regional markets that are not directly
connected to a system of support facilities. A select
number of those involved with farmers' markets across
Kentucky have been invited to take part in the initial
committee meeting April 20 in Frankfort .
“What
we are seeking from this advisory committee is expertise
and guidance in formulating an overall plan for large-scale
farmers' markets that the Department will then take
before the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board for
funding consideration,” said Brian Furnish, Executive
Director of KDA's Office of Agricultural Marketing and
Product Promotion.
For
more information on farmers' markets and ag marketing
opportunities in Kentucky , contact KDA marketing specialist
Janet Eaton by phone at (502) 564-0290 or by e-mail
at janet.eaton@kyagr.com
.
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