FRANKFORT, Ky. — Farmers and the commodity organizations that represent them celebrated National Agriculture Day in a variety of ways. Those active in the Kentucky Livestock Coalition braved the rainy forecast to serve up hamburgers, pork chops, chicken and goat/lamb brats to those who work in the state Capitol and Annex. The rain held off, the smell of charcoal and grilling meat filled the air, and the crowd turned out – to the tune of approximately 500 people fed.
“There is no better day than National Ag Day to come to our state Capitol and raise awareness of the farming industry in Kentucky, and livestock in particular. I don’t know of a better way to get people thinking of the farmers who raise their burgers, pork chops, chicken and sheep/goat products than to put some protein on a plate and serve it up to them,” said Coalition Chairman Caleb Ragland.
The ice cream provided by Rowlett’s Milkhouse Creamery was a sweet finish to a great meal, and the centerpieces of cheery sunflowers provided by the Kentucky Horse Council were the perfect spring touch.
Governor Andy Beshear invited the Kentucky Livestock Coalition to host the Governor’s Commodity Lunch, which was held on the back lawn of the Capitol. Beshear signed a document proclaiming March 22 as Agriculture Day in the Commonwealth, and recognized farmers for their roles in providing food for Kentucky, and thanked the farmers on hand for being essential workers through the pandemic and for keeping the grocery store shelves stocked and their fellow Americans fed.
While the Livestock Coalition includes the obvious members – the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, Kentucky Dairy Development Council, Kentucky Pork Producers Association, and the Kentucky Poultry Federation, membership also includes the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office, Kentucky Farm Bureau, Farm Credit Mid-America, The Kentucky Horse Council, United Producers, Inc., and those who grow the feed that is vital to animal agriculture: The Kentucky Soybean Board and the Kentucky Corn Growers Association. Individual farm family memberships are also available.
The Coalition is committed to advancing environmentally-friendly, socially responsible, and economically viable livestock farming practices while providing safe, affordable food. The Coalition enhances and promotes Kentucky’s livestock and agriculture/food industry through education and outreach.
More information on the Kentucky Livestock Coalition may be found at www.KyLivestockCoalition .org.
— Kentucky Livestock Coalition