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Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
Kentucky Agriculture will be Showcased at Sunbelt Expo
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 9, 2008) – Kentucky agriculture will be showcased at next week’s Sunbelt Expo in Moultrie, Georgia. Known as, “North America’s Premier Farm Show,” the Expo is expected to attract more than 200,000 visitors during its three-day run, October 13-16. A diversity of technology, products and interactive educational exhibits will be a must-see for farmer, agribusinessmen, and rural homeowners.
Kentucky has always been known for basketball, bluegrass music and thoroughbred horses, but at this year’s Sunbelt Expo visitors will discover the rich agricultural heritage of the Commonwealth and the diversification efforts made possible by the over $268 million dollars invested from the Kentucky Master Settlement Agreement.
Representatives from Kentucky’s delegation will include the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy (GOAP), Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA), and the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture who will join forces for an exhibit highlighting the state’s agriculture industry.
“The collaboration of the Kentucky delegation this will be a wonderful opportunity for the Commonwealth to tell our agricultural story,” said GOAP Executive Director, Roger Thomas. “We will have a chance to showcase and educate other states on the one-of-a-kind programs made possible by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund as well as bring back ideas from other states on issues that will enhance efficiency and profitability of agriculture.”
Kentucky is the “spotlight state” among ten southeastern states involved in the 2008 Sunbelt Expo. Kentucky will have a 40-by-100-foot exhibit area in the heart of the various other 1,200 exhibitors located in the 100-acre area at a former Air Force base near Moultrie. GOAP Executive Director, Roger Thomas will be the keynote speaker at this year Sunbelt Expo Kick-off Luncheon where he will give greetings from Kentucky before an expected crowd of 1,000 attendees.
The centerpiece of the Kentucky exhibit will be the GOAP display featuring projects and programs that are part of the state’s historic agricultural development initiative under the Kentucky Agriculture Development Board. KDA will feature its award-winning farm safety program, the Kentucky Proud Marketing initiative along with other achievements. Among several things, the UK College of Agriculture will showcase its equine initiative and engineering program. Kentucky Farm Bureau will promote its service to Kentucky’s farm families with more than 460,000 members, one of the strongest Farm Bureau Federations in the country. They will also feature their award-winning television program Bluegrass and Backroads.
Monroe County dairy cattle producer Loretta Lyons will represent Kentucky in the 19th annual Southeastern Farmer of the Year competition that is part of the Expo. The contest includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennesee, and Virginia.
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