Kentucky.gov

Applications are now available for Kentucky Proud products to be considered for resale at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea. This is the first step for having products considered for resale at the Kentucky Experience’s Kentucky Proud Product Pavilion during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The pavilion will be located on the Kentucky Horse Park grounds during the world’s most prestigious equestrian competition Sept. 25-Oct. 10, 2010.

The Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy, the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture are partnering with the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet to give Kentucky Proud members the opportunity for their products to be sold in the pavilion.

The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea currently carries selected food products certified “Kentucky Proud” by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and artisan products by juried artisans in the Kentucky Arts Council’s Kentucky Crafted Program and the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen.

Several times a year, a panel meets to consider other products including food and artisan products. Currently, the Center is especially interested in agricultural products traditionally associated with Kentucky, but will consider any Kentucky Proud product. Products selected during these review sessions may be purchased for resale at the Center immediately and will be eligible to be selected for sale at the Kentucky Experience’s Kentucky Proud Product Pavilion.

Applications deadlines for all product types:

• Dec. 31, 2009 for review in January 2010
• March 31, 2009 for review in April 2010
• June 30, 2010 for review in July 2010

To submit Kentucky Proud product(s) for review, please complete the appropriate application, which can be found at http://agweg.ky.gov, and return it with a biography or company history and sample food products  or product images for non-food products to: ATTN: Artisan Product Review, Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, 975 Walnut Meadow Road, Berea, KY  40403.

If you have questions concerning the application process, contact Victoria Faoro with the Center at (859) 985-5448, ext 222 or victoria.faoro@ky.gov. If you are not a Kentucky Proud member and would like to become one, please visit www.kentuckyproud.com for an application.  

The Kentucky Experience will be providing an opportunity for over 400,000 guests to experience all the sights, sounds and tastes of Kentucky without having to leave the Horse Park. This includes an interactive facility where you can learn everything about our state from our agricultural heritage to the many tourism destinations Kentucky has to offer. For more information on the Kentucky Experience, visit www.TheKentuckyExperience.com or contact Cheryl Hatcher at (502) 564-4930 or Cheryl.hatcher@ky.gov.