More ways to help the future of Kentucky agriculture
Op-ed from Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell
FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 2, 2026) – Last year, Kentucky farmers donated nearly $1 million to Kentucky’s Ag Tag fund. This year, with your help, we want to hit that $1 million mark and beyond.
In 2025, Kentucky farmers donated a record-breaking $995,440.74 to the Ag Tag Program. It was the largest amount ever donated in a single year and topped the 2024 total by more than $60,000. This year I’m hoping we can reach another record and create even more positive outcomes for Kentucky’s agricultural youth.
Ag Tag money is generated through the $10 voluntary donation Kentuckians make each year when they buy or renew their farm vehicle license plates. The money is then split equally between the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA), Kentucky FFA, and Kentucky 4-H to support Kentucky’s agriculture youth and other organizations and programs benefiting our farm families.
The $10 donation may seem like a small amount. But, by multiplying it by the thousands of Kentuckians that give and then putting those funds in the hands of the department that focuses on the state’s agriculture community and the two leading agriculture youth development organizations, we are providing a strong backbone for Kentucky’s agricultural future.
Starting this year, we have an additional avenue for Kentucky residents to show their appreciation for agriculture and our next generation of farmers. The “Friends of Agriculture” special license plate is now available to any resident, even if you don’t qualify for a farm license plate.
The new plate was made possible after House Bill 157 passed during the 2025 legislative session. It expands the eligibility for an agriculture special license plate. Ten dollars of every purchase and $5 of every renewal of the new plate will go into the “Ag Tag” fund and be divided equally among KDA, Kentucky 4-H and Kentucky FFA.
Here's how the two plates work:
- Farm license plate - Kentucky's farm license plate is for vehicles used for farm-related activities. It’s available to any farmer engaged in the production of crops, livestock, or dairy products. Those purchasing or renewing their plates can opt to give a voluntary $10 donation for the Ag Tag fund, which is dividing equally between KDA, Kentucky 4-H, and Kentucky FFA.
- Friends of Agriculture plate – Kentucky’s special plate that can be purchased by any Kentucky driver. There is no special usage attached to the plate. Those purchasing pay a $10 fee that goes to the Ag Tag fund that’s equally distributed between KDA, Kentucky 4-H, and Kentucky FFA. Those renewing the plate will pay a $5 fee that will go to the Ag Tag fund.
Both the voluntary donation from the farm truck plate and the mandatory fee from the Friends of Agriculture plate go into the “Ag Tag” fund to benefit Kentucky’s leading agricultural youth organizations.
FFA and 4-H have helped shape the lives of many children across the nation by creating experiences that make lasting impacts. 4-H and FFA are the two youth programs at the forefront of the future of Kentucky agriculture, providing direction in life for many of our young people. With just the purchase of a license plate, you can help create those lasting impacts.
KDA uses its share of the Ag Tag funds for various programs, such as the Ag Athlete of the Year awards, the Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award, Kentucky Women in Agriculture, the University of Kentucky Grain and Forage Center of Excellence, and the Kentucky Farm to School Stars Recognition Program, which rewards school districts for increasing food purchases directly from Kentucky farmers.
Half of the 4-H and FFA donations are returned to local councils and chapters, meaning leaders in your community can use those funds to cover the cost of 4-H and FFA camp and other leadership programs for our youth. County 4-H councils use Ag Tag dollars to provide 4-H camp scholarships and travel for life-changing educational experiences to enable local 4-H youth to grow as leaders and engaged citizens. FFA chapters are free to use the money to meet the greatest needs in their community, such as FFA jackets for students in need or helping cover travel costs to leadership events.
That unselfish willingness to help build and prepare Kentucky’s agriculture youth are predominant features of FFA and 4-H. While they work to prepare youth to take on the challenges agriculture faces, KDA works every day to promote Kentucky’s farmers, inviting each resident in the Commonwealth to realize the importance agriculture plays in the present and in the future. That future is Kentucky’s agriculture youth. That’s why this year’s Ag Tag campaign theme is “Fruitful Futures.” Funding from your voluntary donations helps all three organizations fulfill our mission to sustain Kentucky agriculture for generations to come securing the future of Kentucky agriculture.
In the weeks to come, as many of you head back to your county clerk’s office to renew your vehicle plates, I hope you will make the choice to contribute to Kentucky’s agricultural future. Together, we can make a lasting impact and ensure a bright future for Kentucky agriculture.
*Images of the vehicle plates can be found at the links below: