By Blake Jackson
The Kentucky Farmland Transition Initiative (KFTI), launched by Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) in April, has made significant strides in its mission to preserve farmland in Kentucky.
The initiative has formed a strong network of 22 strategic partners, including agriculture organizations, businesses, and institutions across the state.
The KFTI Network aims to address the concerning issue of farmland loss in Kentucky, which has seen a decline of 17,000 farms and 1.4 million acres of farmland over the past two decades.
The initiative provides resources, connections, and solutions to help families navigate farmland transition and retain their land for agricultural purposes.
The newly announced network partners include:
- Central Kentucky Ag Credit
- AgriBusiness Association of Kentucky
- Community Farm Alliance
- Farm Credit Mid-America
- Kentucky Association of Meat Processors
- Kentucky Burley and Dark Tobacco Producers Association
- Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association
- Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development
- Kentucky Corn Growers Association
- The Dairy Alliance for Kentucky
- Kentucky Dairy Development Council
- Kentucky Department of Agriculture
- Kentucky Horse Council
- Kentucky Horticulture Council
- Kentucky Pork Producers Association
- Kentucky Poultry Federation
- Kentucky Sheep & Goat Development Office
- Kentucky Small Grain Growers’ Association
- Kentucky State University
- Kentucky Thoroughbred Association
- Kentucky Woodland Owners Association
- University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
Renee Carrico, KFB Director of the Commodity Division, emphasizes the importance of preserving Kentucky's farms, stating, "The farms we know and love as Kentuckians are at risk. In fact, at the current rate of farmland loss, the number of Kentucky farmers will be cut in half in the next 60 years."
KFTI was established in response to the alarming data from the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture.
The initiative aims to assist families in accessing resources related to farmland transition, connect service providers with those in need, and develop strategies to retain farmland for agricultural use.
By building a strong network of partners, KFTI is making significant progress towards its goal of preserving Kentucky's farmland and ensuring a sustainable agricultural future for the state.
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Categories: Kentucky, General, Rural Lifestyle