KDA, Kentucky League of Cities partner to bring forth Kentucky Proud Certified Cities

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 5, 2026) – Kentucky Proud Certified Cities, a first-of-its-kind program offered by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) through a partnership with the Kentucky League of Cities, is recognizing cities across the state that are demonstrating a commitment to the agriculture industry and strengthening their communities’ connection with farmers.

“Cities making that special effort to create an agricultural connection for residents deserve that special recognition,” Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell said. “This unique program elevates those experiences to real rewards. When consumers choose Kentucky-grown and Kentucky-made products they create demand for agricultural commodities and agritourism that supports the farmers supplying them. We know what we grow and produce in Kentucky is the best. We want to reward those cities actively promoting that idea.”

Managed under KDA’s Kentucky Proud agricultural marketing umbrella, the initiative recognizes those cities incorporating local foods, farms, and agricultural projects into their community identities.

Kentucky Proud, Kentucky’s official agriculture marketing program, launched in 2002 as a central platform to promote Kentucky’s farms and farm products. The Certified Cities program furthers the marketing mission by emphasizing how every step of commodities reaching consumers is crucial to supporting local supply and demand. The Kentucky Proud Certified Cities program provides an opportunity to highlight this critical connection and empower local governments to proactively enhance agricultural opportunities.

“I can’t stress enough how important the symbiotic relationship is among Kentucky’s urban and rural communities,” said J.D. Chaney, CEO of the Kentucky League of Cities, a nonprofit association that represents Kentucky’s cities and serves as a resource for local governments across the Commonwealth. “More demand can mean more agricultural production, which supports farm jobs and creates options for businesses involved in processing, transportation, distribution, retail, food service, and so on.”

By encouraging cities to recognize, promote, and support agricultural entities and, ultimately, Kentucky Proud products, the new certification program is built to create economic impacts more visible and more valuable.

Six Kentucky cities, with varying demographics in different regions, are piloting the program, each participating in an application process that analyzed city-specific agricultural efforts. Specifically, city leaders worked to amplify Kentucky Proud by identifying engagement with a broad range of city sites, such as retailers, restaurants, farmers’ markets, hospital settings, school nutrition curricula, community outreach, and farm-to-table events, as well as agricultural-focused zoning practices and ordinances.

The cities of Beaver Dam, Middlesboro, Monticello, Paducah, Newport, and Winchester were tasked with identifying widespread integration of agriculture. The Kentucky Proud Certified Cities program awards distinction through a three-tiered system – Gold, Silver, and Bronze – based on demonstrated dedication and achievement.

The City of Winchester, where agriculture has long been an important part of the area’s identity, is the first Kentucky locale to obtain the program’s Gold certification status. Beaver Dam and Paducah received a Silver designation, while Middlesboro, Monticello, and Newport received Bronze. The designations were based on each city’s diligence to bridge the gap between agriculture and urban areas showing the importance of the local food chain for both urban and rural areas. 

Applications for the Kentucky Proud Certified Cities program opened Oct. 1. The rolling application process will not require a deadline and Kentucky Proud will award certifications as applications are reviewed. The application can be found on the Kentucky Proud Certified Cities page at kyproud.com/programs/certified-city.

To learn more about Kentucky Proud Certified Cities, visit kyagr.com/marketing/certified-city.html.