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FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kelly Ludwig is leading the effort to develop a statewide agritourism marketing strategy and tackling issues facing individual destinations as the new director of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Division of Agritourism.
Ludwig started in the new post Feb. 1. She was an international marketing specialist with the Department for three years prior to the promotion. While serving in the international marketing post, she helped to achieve passage of legislation that created the Kentucky Agritourism Advisory Council and the state Office of Agritourism that KDA shares with the state Tourism Department and helped write a white paper with the Kentucky Agritourism Working Group.
“We were fortunate to have the opportunity to appoint someone with Kelly Ludwig’s credentials to this important position,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “Kelly’s experience, intelligence and enthusiasm have been instrumental in spearheading the Department’s international marketing efforts. She now is responsible for helping Kentucky producers succeed in agritourism, and I can think of no one better for the job.”
Ludwig will head the process of conducting an agritourism marketing survey that will be used to develop a master marketing plan and determine the marketing needs of agritourism providers. She also will work one-on-one with individual operations to address issues such as liability insurance, zoning and signage as well as marketing. Ludwig’s position and the survey will be funded by a grant from the Governor’s Office of Agriculture Policy with tobacco settlement money.
“Many Kentucky farmers are seeking ways to add to their income on the farm,” Ludwig said. “At the same time, many tourists are looking for interesting, entertaining destinations close to home. Agritourism provides opportunities for both farmers and travelers. My job is to help our agritourism destinations market themselves so that tourists will be inspired to stop and stay.”
Ludwig holds a master’s degree in international relations from the University of Kentucky’s distinguished Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Studies. She holds a bachelor's degree in foreign languages and international studies from Bellarmine University.
Ludwig is married to Andrew Ludwig and is the daughter of Dickie and Barbara Nally of Loretto. She is a 1996 graduate of Marion County High School.
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