Kentucky Ag News
Vol. 9 No. 1 • January 13, 2016
Ryan Quarles sworn in as ag commissioner
Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles pledged to run an efficient, transparent Kentucky Department of Agriculture that advocates for Kentucky’s agriculture industry as he and other state constitutional officers were sworn into office.
Commissioner Quarles: I'm ready to take on the challenges facing Kentucky agriculture
Being the Commissioner of Agriculture for Kentucky has been a childhood dream of mine, and it is a great honor and privilege to serve as your next Commissioner.
Governor, commissioner, other officials
rally Kentuckians to solve hunger
Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles announced that he will launch a commission on hunger later this month.
Watch Commissioner Quarles' remarks.
New commissioner visits conference
Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles attended the Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Conference and visited with the Kentucky Grape and Wine Council on Jan. 5. See more pictures on Facebook.
Full slate of beekeeping schools on tap
While Kentucky’s honey bees are clustering through the winter, beekeepers will have opportunities to sharpen their skills in schools throughout the Commonwealth.
Brent Burchett named KDA division director
Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles announced that Brent Burchett of Murray, Ky., will serve as director of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Division of Value-Added Plant Production.
KFB lays out legislative priorities for 2016
Kentucky Farm Bureau President Mark Haney says farmers have at the top of their list maintaining 50% of Master Settlement Agreement funds for rebuilding ag infrastructure and adequate funding for the state ag department. (audio)
Nominees sought for conservation award
Sand County Foundation, the Kentucky Agricultural Council (KAC) and the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts (KACD) are accepting applications for the Leopold Conservation Award program in Kentucky.
KFB college scholarship applications available
Later this spring, the KFB Education Foundation will award college scholarships ranging from $400 to $4,000 to 87 high school seniors pursuing a four-year degree.

Coming up
- Urban Growers Series
- Kentucky Cattlemen's Association convention
- Kentucky Commodity Conference
- Kentucky Pork Producers annual meeting
- Heart of America Grazing Conference
- Kentucky Landscape Industries Spring Training & Showcase
- Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group conference
- UK Equine Showcase and Kentucky Breeders' Short Course
- Small Grain Disease Management Workshop
- Kentucky Small Ruminant Grazing Conference
- KSU Value-Added Producer Grant Writing Workshop
- National Farm Machinery Show
- Pastures Please!!
- Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Expo
- Kentucky Dairy Development Council Young Dairy Producers Meeting
- Kentucky Dairy Partners Annual Meeting
- Kentucky Farm Bureau Roadside Market Program educational meeting
- Organic Association of Kentucky annual conference
- Kentucky Forest Industries Association annual meeting