by Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Richie FarmerI never miss an opportunity to brag on Kentucky farmers, and for good reason. Once again, our producers raised the bar for cash receipts in 2008. When you think about the overall economy, that speaks well of our farmers’ skill, work ethic and resilience.
Kentucky producers achieved a record $4.84 billion in farmgate cash receipts last year. It was the fourth time in the past five years that the total exceeded $4 billion. Cattle and calves were a big part of Kentucky’s success with cash receipts of $574.4 million, maintaining Kentucky’s position as the largest cow-calf state east of the Mississippi River.
The $4.84 billion surpassed the previous cash receipts record of $4.52 billion set in 2007.
Cash receipts from sales of horses and stud fees again led the way at $1.08 billion, down 4 percent from 2007. Poultry followed at $917.5 million, a 5 percent increase. Cash receipts from corn totaled $653 million, up 30 percent from the previous year. Winter wheat, peaches and barley rebounded sharply in 2008 from the freeze-damaged 2007 crop.
I’m confident that Kentucky’s farmers will have another banner year in 2009. I know they can persevere through anything, and I challenge them to put their shoulders to the wheel and make 2009 even better than 2008.
I also want to challenge all Kentuckians to support their state’s farmers by buying local Kentucky Proud foods and eating locally as often as possible.
When you buy local, you’re buying fresh, wholesome food for your family. You’re also helping Kentucky’s economy. If everybody in Kentucky planned just one meal a week featuring all Kentucky Proud products, we could add an enormous amount of money to our hard-working farm families’ bottom lines.
You can buy local fruits, vegetables and other Kentucky Proud products direct from producers at one of Kentucky’s 124 farmers’ markets near you. They give consumers the chance to buy a vast array of tomatoes, sweet corn, watermelon, apples, peaches and many other fruits and vegetables fresh out of the garden or orchard at the height of freshness and nutritional value. You also can shop for a variety of sauces, cheeses, meats, crafts, cut flowers and other products.
At a farmers’ market, you can meet and talk to the people who raised or made those Kentucky Proud products. Farmers’ markets are kind of like an old-time general store in that many folks enjoy the social aspect of meeting and visiting with their friends and neighbors there every week.
About 2,000 Kentucky farmers’ market vendors rang up an estimated $8 million in sales in 2007, up from $5.4 million in 2003.
Dozens of other retailers, restaurants, state parks and Kentucky Farm Bureau roadside markets throughout Kentucky also offer Kentucky Proud products. The Good Foods Market & Café in Lexington joined Kentucky Proud and more than 50 food cooperatives nationwide to challenge consumers to eat local last summer.
Kentucky Proud is the Commonwealth’s official farm marketing program. Kentucky Proud generated $250 million in retail sales of Kentucky farm products through member retailers in the past three years, including more than $100 million in 2008.
To learn more about Kentucky Proud, visit its Web site at www.kyproud.com. You can search for Kentucky Proud products or watch videos by gourmet chef and entertainer Tim Laird showing quick and easy ways to make amazing meals in your home with Kentucky Proud foods.
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