By Blake Jackson
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA), working with the Kentucky League of Cities, has launched the Kentucky Proud Certified Cities program to recognize communities that actively support agriculture and strengthen connections between residents and the state’s farmers.
The new initiative operates through Kentucky Proud, the state’s official agricultural marketing program, and highlights cities that incorporate local food, farms, agricultural projects, and farm-related activities into their communities.
“Cities making that special effort to create an agricultural connection for residents deserve that special recognition. This unique program elevates those experiences to real rewards," Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell said.
"When consumers choose Kentucky-grown and Kentucky-made products they create demand for agricultural commodities and agritourism that supports the farmers supplying them. We know what we grow and produce in Kentucky is the best. We want to reward those cities actively promoting that idea.”
Kentucky Proud was established in 2002 to promote Kentucky farms and agricultural products. The Certified Cities program builds on that mission by encouraging local governments to increase awareness of the relationship between consumers, agricultural producers, and the businesses that move farm products through the supply chain.
“I can’t stress enough how important the symbiotic relationship is among Kentucky’s urban and rural communities,” said J.D. Chaney, CEO of the Kentucky League of Cities. “More demand can mean more agricultural production, which supports farm jobs and creates options for businesses involved in processing, transportation, distribution, retail, food service, and so on.”
Six cities participated in the pilot program: Beaver Dam, Middlesboro, Monticello, Paducah, Newport, and Winchester. Their applications evaluated efforts involving retailers, restaurants, farmers’ markets, hospitals, schools, community programs, farm-to-table events, and agricultural zoning or ordinances.
The program uses three certification levels—Gold, Silver, and Bronze—to recognize different levels of achievement. Winchester became the first city to earn Gold certification.
Beaver Dam and Paducah received Silver recognition, while Middlesboro, Monticello, and Newport earned Bronze designations.
The certifications are intended to demonstrate how local governments can strengthen ties between urban communities and agriculture while creating greater visibility for Kentucky-grown products and the economic activity surrounding them.
Applications for the program opened October 1, 2026, with no deadline. Kentucky Proud will review applications on a rolling basis and award certifications as communities complete the process.
For more information, visit https://kyproud.com/programs/certified-city
Photo Credit: kentucky-proud
Categories: Kentucky, Business, General