Agriculture is the heart of our Commonwealth. Farmers built our state, and today, farmers continue their work to put Kentucky-grown products on the tables of millions across this nation. The General Assembly is dedicated to supporting our farmers, no matter the size of their operations, and is committed to promoting sustainable and independent farming practices. During the 2025 Regular Session, we continued to uphold our commitment to the thousands of families that depend on agriculture to make a living, as well as the communities that they call home.
According to the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy, Kentucky’s 69,000 farms contributed roughly $50 billion to the commonwealth’s economy in 2023. Approximately 12.4 million acres are dedicated to farming operations, which is nearly half of the state. Most of these farms are family operations that provide food for families and their local community. It is important that the state policies that oversee agriculture reflect the importance of this industry and provide for its long term success. I am honored to serve with several members who farm and regularly reminded of President Eisenhower’s cautionary words, “farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you’re a thousand miles from the cornfield.” As with all legislation, it certainly helps to have people with experience in the field.
With the 2025 Regular Session behind us and the interim meeting period just weeks away, I would like to highlight some of these important measures from the House Standing Committee on Agriculture that were passed into law:
Modernizing Conservation Services: HB 24 adds soil and water conservation services to the definition of “special purpose governmental entity,” and increases the audit threshold for conservation services to $1 million. The measure also provides agricultural easement boards the authority to approve structures, roads, and pathways on restricted land for the purpose of training federal agency personnel.
Leveling the Playing Field for Ag. Policy Employees: HB 216 allows employees of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, except those working in the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy (KOAP), to apply for and receive financial awards, contracts, and other funding administered by the KOAP.
Protecting National Security: HB 315 prohibits any foreign entity from purchasing, leasing, or acquiring agricultural land in Kentucky if they are associated with a hostile foreign government identified by Title 22, section 126.1 of the Code of Federal Regulations and do not have a national security agreement with the Committee on Foreign Investment. HB 315 also prevents foreign entities associated with these nations from participating in state agricultural programs and requires agricultural land purchased for non-agricultural purposes by all foreign entities to be developed within five years of purchase.
Eliminating Unnecessary Burdens to Honey Sales: HB 391 increases the annual threshold of pure and unadulterated Kentucky honey that can be sold without requiring processing in a certified honey house or obtaining a permit from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services from 150 gallons to 500 gallons per year.
Agriculture has played a major role in Kentucky’s history and economy since state’s earliest days of Fort Harrod and Fort Boonesborough. Our fertile soil, moderate climate, and consistent rainfall made it ideal for farming, attracting settlers who established tobacco, corn, and hemp as staple crops. By the 1800s, Kentucky was a major tobacco producer and a leader in hemp cultivation, both vital to national trade. Livestock farming, particularly cattle and horses, also grew as the Commonwealth became a world-recognized home to thoroughbred and other equine interests.
Of course, agriculture diversified over time and poultry, soybeans, and horticulture gaining importance. Today, agriculture remains a key pillar of Kentucky’s economy, contributing billions annually and supporting thousands of jobs. The state ranks among the top producers of beef cattle east of the Mississippi and continues to lead in equine agriculture. Though technology has transformed farming, agriculture’s legacy endures and is rooted deeply in our cultural identity and economic resilience even today.
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at amy.neighbors@kylegislature.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
(HD21 – News From the Office of Rep. Neighbors)