Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
Kentucky Agriculture Council Continues to Serve Kentucky Agriculture

Frankfort, Ky- On August 14, the Kentucky Agriculture Council (KAC) met in Louisville at the Kentucky State Fair to continue the process of implementing “A Pathway for Kentucky’s Agriculture and its Rural Communities: 2007-2012 Strategic Plan.”

Governor Beshear, the General Assembly, and the agriculture community received the Strategic Plan in late January. The KAC, which is comprised of over 50 organizations from across the Commonwealth, worked to develop a plan that would encompass all aspects of agriculture and designed to move this vital industry into the future. The task force worked to identify critical challenges and emerging opportunities for Kentucky agriculture.

During the June Kentucky Agricultural Development Board Meeting, the Kentucky Agriculture Council was awarded $200,000 in state Kentucky Agricultural Development Funds to assist in the coordination, implementation, and continued development of the Strategic Plan for Agriculture.

“We recognized that to sustain the momentum achieved with the strategic plan, it was time for Kentucky Ag Council to transition from a 100 percent volunteer run organization to an operating model along the lines of traditional trade associations,” said Dr. Tony Brannon, Chairman of the Council. “Our first step is to hire a professional management position that will lead the implementation of the plan and provide meeting coordination.”

KAC meets quarterly and has organized committees that will work on particular parts of the Strategic Plan. For more information on the KAC and/or the position announcement visit the Kentucky Agriculture Council website at www.kyagcouncil.org. Deadlines for applications are September 5, 2008.