Frankfort, Ky. — Kentuckians are invited to select their favorite farmers in online voting for the 2015 Local Food Heroes through Aug. 5. The Local Food Heroes awards are a partnership of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Seed Capital KY, and Louisville Metro Government and are sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America.

“This is a great way to publicly say ‘thank you’ to the Kentuckians who produce the food we eat,” Agriculture Commissioner James Comer said. “This award also raises awareness of the many great food producers we have right in our own backyard. I hope every Kentuckian will go online and vote for their Local Food Heroes.”

To vote, go to www.seedcapitalky.org/local-food-hero-2015-voting/. To find a farmer you would like to vote for, enter his or her name and click “Search.”

If you don’t have the name of a farmer in mind, you may use a link that allows you to scroll through the names and profiles of Kentucky Proud producers.

If you don’t see the name of the farmer you’d like to vote for, another link allows you to nominate a producer.

The 2015 crop of Local Food Heroes, the top three vote-getters statewide, will be recognized by Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and Commissioner Comer during the 2015 Kentucky State Fair, which runs Aug. 20-30 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.

Seed Capital KY created the Local Food Hero Awards in 2013 as a way to publicly show appreciation for those who make it possible for Kentuckians to enjoy farm-fresh, locally-grown food.

The 2014 Local Food Heroes were Brooke Eckmann of Finchville, Russell Poore of Russellville, and Jacob Sharpe of Georgetown.

The 2013 Kentucky Local Food Heroes were Ramsi Kamar of Louisville, Michael Lewis of Berea, and Clay Turner of Russellville.