By Blake Jackson
Following the Kentucky Farm Bureau's 105th Annual Meeting, the organization unveiled its 2025 priorities, aiming to drive change in the agriculture sector. The meeting, attended by about 2,200 participants, focused on establishing key national and state issues, with a 96-page policy book adopted to guide the advocacy efforts for the coming year.
Nationally, the Farm Bureau's priorities include addressing farm policy, trade, infrastructure, regulatory reform, immigration and farm labor reform, energy, healthcare reform, fiscal policy, and wildlife issues. On the state level, priorities focus on agriculture programs, taxation, transportation (highways, roads, and bridges), energy, rural development, wildlife management, regulatory authority, and forestry.
One significant concern is the ongoing farm bill, which was due for renewal in 2023 but has been delayed with multiple extensions. The Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) is advocating for progress on this critical piece of legislation, which directly affects the farming community. At the state level, the Kentucky Selling Farmer Tax Credit is also under discussion, with KFB aiming to expand the program to benefit all active farmers, not just beginning farmers. The goal is to increase the tax credit from $25,000 for selling to a beginning farmer to $50,000, making it easier for farmers to access land at more affordable prices.
KFB is also focusing on securing more consistent funding for river ports in Kentucky, which play a key role in transportation infrastructure for agricultural products.
Another major issue is the H-2A program, which allows foreign workers to fill temporary agricultural jobs. KFB advocates for simplifying this process to reduce costs and make it easier for farmers to hire the labor they need.
As KFB prepares for upcoming legislation in early 2025, they will encourage their members to actively engage with legislators to support these critical agricultural priorities.
Photo Credit: kentucky-farm-bureau
Categories: Kansas, Government & Policy