FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, February 28, 2008

For more information contact:
Bill Clary

(502) 564-4696

HOUSE PASSES BILL TO REQUIRE STATE COLLEGES
TO BUY KENTUCKY PROUD FARM PRODUCTS

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer commended the Kentucky House of Representatives for passing legislation Wednesday that would require public colleges and universities in Kentucky to buy Kentucky-grown agricultural products if they are available and meet the institution’s quality and price standards.

House Bill 484 passed 95-0. The measure now goes to the state Senate.

“This bill will provide another market for Kentucky farmers to sell their Kentucky Proud products,” Commissioner Farmer said. “This will create economic activity in many rural Kentucky communities and help keep farmland in agriculture. I am grateful to the House for passing this bill.”

The legislation was filed by Reps. Dwight Butler, R-Harned; Charlie Hoffman, D-Georgetown; C.B. Embry, R-Morgantown; Jeff Greer, D-Brandenburg, and Tom McKee, D-Cynthiana.

A 2006 law requires state government agencies to purchase Kentucky-grown farm products if they are available and meet the agency’s quality and price standards.

Cash receipts for Kentucky farm products were a record $4.22 billion in 2007.

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