Kentucky Farmer Pushes for Crop Insurance and Labor Reforms

By Blake Jackson

Jeremy Hinton, a LaRue County farmer and president of the Kentucky Horticulture Council, recently testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, advocating for specialty crop growers. This opportunity allowed him to highlight critical issues facing local farm families.

Hinton, who also manages two farm markets alongside traditional crops, addressed the committee during a February 26 hearing.

"As part of the eighth generation of my family to farm in LaRue County, my connection to agriculture began at the time that (Abraham) Lincoln wandered the fields around Sinking Springs and Knob Creek and continues today," he shared.

He emphasized the diverse nature of specialty crops and their significant contribution to the agriculture industry. "Farmers of all kinds share many of the same challenges and concerns, but others are unique to operations like mine," Hinton explained.

A key concern was the limited participation of specialty crop growers in federal crop insurance programs. Hinton attributed this to a lack of available coverage and insufficient education.

"While availability of policies for specialty crops is increasing, the geographic disbursement of specialty crop acres often makes it difficult for actuaries to rate products for limited acres," Hinton stated.

Hinton also addressed the ongoing labor challenges faced by specialty crop growers. "For many specialty crop growers, availability and cost of labor continues to be among our greatest challenges," Hinton said, citing the H-2A program as a crucial but costly solution. Hinton urged the committee to reform temporary worker visa programs.

Another critical issue was the loss of farmland to development. "Loss of farmland to development is a key issue in the state of Kentucky, as well as across the nation," Hinton noted, referencing the significant acreage lost between 2017 and 2022. Hinton highlighted the Kentucky Farm Bureau's efforts to combat this through education and policy recommendations.

"Kentucky Farm Bureau is working with stakeholders at both the state and federal levels to address this key issue," Hinton said.

Kentucky Farm Bureau President Eddie Melton praised Hinton's advocacy. "Jeremy is a great example of how effective we can be as an organization when our county members are willing to testify in front of congressional leaders from across the country to tell their stories, discuss their challenges, and offer their input on solutions that will ultimately benefit us all," Melton stated.

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