Louisville, KY (December 5, 2014) – Kentucky Farm Bureau President Mark Haney announced today the formation of a task force to develop recommendations for enhancing water resources for agricultural production in the state. The Pulaski County farmer introduced a 20-member “Water Management Working Group” during his keynote address at the organization’s 95th annual meeting.

Access to an adequate supply of water for agriculture production is emerging as a critical issue for Kentucky farmers, said Haney, noting that agriculture, on average, uses less than one percent of the water from public systems in the state.

“Through the years we’ve been asked to produce more from less land while being as efficient as possible,” Haney said. “To accomplish that we will need to utilize more water at appropriate periods. We need policies to determine how agriculture can gain access to water supplies. This is particularly crucial in West Kentucky, with our larger row crop farms.”

Steve Coleman, a long-time Director of the Kentucky Division of Conservation, will be chairman of the task force. Other members are:

• Warren Beeler, Deputy Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture
• Tyler Campbell, Manager of Governmental Affairs and Communications for the Kentucky League of Cities
• Fayette County farmer Todd Clark
• Dr. Nancy Cox, Dean of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food & Environment
• Calloway County farmer Sharon Furches
• KFB Director Terry Gilbert, a Boyle County farmer
• Pete Goodmann, Director of the Kentucky Division of Water
• KFB Director Pat Henderson of Breckinridge County, who is Vice Chairman of the organization’s Natural Resources Advisory Committee
• Greenup County farmer Kenneth Imel
• Oldham County farmer Kevin Jeffries
• Gary Larimore, Executive Director of the Rural Water Association
• David Rowlett, President of the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts
• KFB Director Larry Thomas of Hardin County, who is chairman of the organization’s Natural Resources Advisory Committee
• Roger Thomas, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy

Ex-officio members are Tom Fern, State Director of the USDA Rural Development office; Michael Griffin, Kentucky Director of the U.S. Geological Survey; John McCauley, State Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency; Kim Richardson, Director of the Kentucky Division of Conservation; and Karen Woodrich, State Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The group will hold its initial meeting on December 10. The mission “is to research the situation, examine potential actions and make recommendations for bringing water to key areas of farm production,” Haney said.

A timetable hasn’t been established.

“We anticipate this will involve an extended series of meetings, as well as field research,” said Haney.