Louisville, KY (February 17, 2014) – Equipped with national priority issues established during their annual meeting in December, 185 Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) volunteer leaders are heading to the nation’s capitol during the last week of February. The group has scheduled a series of strategic discussions with Kentucky’s Congressional Delegation to examine issues facing agriculture in the Commonwealth.

“This trip allows Kentucky Farm Bureau’s volunteer leaders to engage directly with members of our federal delegation on issues that impact ag and rural issues in the state,” said Joe Cain, KFB’s Commodity Division director and coordinator of the meetings with Kentucky’s Congressional Delegation. “Traveling to Washington, D.C., empowers our grassroots leaders and gives them the opportunity to meet their member of Congress one-on-one. Establishing that kind of relationship with your representative is especially beneficial – for both sides – when issues arise.”

County leaders will be briefed on the current political environment in Washington by the staff of KFB and American Farm Bureau Federation on Tuesday, February 25. As the group prepares to meet with its Congressmen and Senators the following day, Krysta Harden, USDA Deputy Secretary, and Robert Bonnie, USDA Under Secretary for National Resources Conservation Service, will share additional updates on the recently passed five-year farm bill as well as changes to conservation services.

A full day of interaction with Kentucky’s political leaders in Washington, D.C., begins at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 26, with a breakfast at the Holiday Inn Capitol. Both of Kentucky’s U.S. Senators – Mitch McConnell (R) and Rand Paul (R) – as well as all six of the U.S. Representatives from Kentucky – Andy Barr (R), Brett Guthrie (R), Thomas Massie (R), Hal Rogers (R), Ed Whitfield (R) and John Yarmuth (D) – will address the KFB group during the breakfast, offering updates on the work being done in our nation’s capitol.

KFB’s delegates have the opportunity to share the interests of Kentucky’s rural and agricultural livelihood with their elected leaders after the breakfast. Each Congressman will meet individually with leaders from his home district. Senators McConnell and Paul will reconvene with the group later in the day to take their question and for a lengthier discussion on their work and efforts in Washington.

“Our Congressional Tour not only provides our members with a deeper understanding of the inner workings of Washington, but it also allows them to share their concerns about how the decisions and policies made in D.C. impact agriculture and rural life back in Kentucky,” said Cain.