Kentucky corn growers backed by major spirits companies

By Blake Jackson

Four major spirits companies, alongside the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA), are partnering with Precision Conservation Management (PCM) and the Kentucky Corn Growers Association (KCGA) to launch a five-year, $2.8 million initiative aimed at supporting Kentucky corn farmers.

This collaboration will provide farmers with tools to implement regenerative practices that will ensure long-term resilience for Kentucky's agricultural community, all while promoting sustainable and economic value in Bourbon and distilling.

The partnership includes Brown-Forman, Diageo North America, Heaven Hill Brands, and Suntory Global Spirits. Together, they will hire additional conservation specialists to provide management education beginning in 2025.

PCM will work with farmers in central Kentucky to introduce regenerative corn-growing practices on over 100,000 acres during the five-year program.

With new on-farm resources and strategies, the goal is to ease the administrative load for farmers and showcase the economic and environmental benefits of these practices.

"Farmers are spread thin and are already making hundreds of management decisions each year. They want to do a good job, but face time constraints and decision fatigue when it comes to analyzing data and making changes," said Greg Goodwin, Director of PCM.

“Our specialists work hand-in-hand with farmers to identify opportunities to improve the health of their farmland and success of their operation. We are grateful for our partnership with the KDA and Kentucky distilleries as we make these great ideas a reality by supporting our farmers in effective, regenerative practices a win-win for our industries.”

“Having worked closely with PCM since 2015, I have seen how helpful this program has been to my on-farm decision making. I routinely work with my conservation specialist to analyze data and confirm the economic benefits of decisions I have made to adopt new practices and innovate for the environment,” said Joseph Sisk, of Sisk Farms in Christian County.

The program will also offer farmers annual Resource Analysis and Assessment Plans, which benchmark farm financials against regional and statewide datasets. Farmers will receive incentives for implementing practices like reduced tillage and cover crops.

Through this collaboration, PCM and KCGA are helping farmers make sustainable decisions that benefit both their operations and the environment.

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