On a muggy summer day in northwestern Hart County, Kentucky, Randy and John Seymour inspect the delicate, flat-topped clusters of their wild quinine crop.

I’m a firm believer in the good our organization does for this state and our agriculture industry every day of the year. I say it because I believe in it, I have lived it, and I see the fruits of our labor from the front porches of our farmhouses to the Capitol steps in Washington, D.C.

The 61st Annual Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) Country Ham Breakfast and Charity Auction at the Kentucky State Fair brought in a combined winning bid of $10 million in support of Kentucky charities, continuing the longstanding tradition of generosity that has made this event one of the commonwealth’s most anticipated gatherings.

In 1994, Kentucky tobacco producers grew 187,000 acres of tobacco, weighing in at over 453 million pounds and worth nearly $841 billion. That was 10 years before the Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act eliminated an antiquated tobacco quota system that had been in place since 1938.

I couldn't help but think how far life had taken her, from living in that dilapidated old house with no running water and no electricity, to the recognition and accolades that came with being named Miss Kentucky.  

In an exclusive interview, USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden discusses the issues and opportunities facing the ag industry as he settles into his new role.

Last month, to be more specific, on August 19, World Photography Day was celebrated, well, throughout the world, I suppose. I became familiar with the day thanks to some of my co-workers who wanted to put together a post about me, showcasing some of the photos I have taken over the years.

Many times, I am asked what I love most about my job here at Kentucky Farm Bureau, and honestly, the answer is simple: the people. Often, the assumption is that I am talking about our Kentucky farmers. And for the most part that is true. Hey, I’m one of you.