In this section:
Overview
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) works to increase farm profits and opportunities, and to provide resources to benefit all who make a living from Kentucky agriculture. Commissioner Billy Ray Smith, serving his second elected term through 2003, is advised by the nine-member State Board of Agriculture appointed by the Governor.
Agriculture, the state’s largest industry, brings in about $4 billion in annual cash receipts. Many Kentuckians make their living in agriculture; the rest owe many daily comforts to Kentucky foods and farm products.
KDA also protects Kentucky consumers, manufacturers and businesses by regulating and inspecting areas you might not at first connect with agriculture, including gas pumps, grocery price scanners, amusement park rides, limestone, eggs, and measuring devices such as commercial scales.
KDA most strongly impacts Kentucky’s economy by helping create and develop markets for Kentucky farm products, so marketing programs are vitally important to our mission.
Farmers now check the computer nearly as often as they check their livestock or crops. Some sell to international customers on the Web more quickly than they ever could at the local market. Technology can give a farmer more data than every before—but not necessarily more answers.
The average person is three generations removed from the farm. Their perception of how vital agriculture is, and where their food comes from, may be slipping—and they might not be aware of what is required to keep that food in production.
Some of the crops Kentucky is best at raising face uncertain political futures.
Farmers must make their farms profitable to protect them against development.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture recognizes that the Commonwealth’s 90,000 or so farms will always need a government advocate, the latest technical help, and financial resources to develop markets.
KDA pledges to always provide these elements of assistance for Kentucky’s farmers so that the agricultural community can best meet the challenges of the future.
The Department also pledges vigilance in its regulatory and inspection role, protecting consumers, farmers and agri-businesses all across the state.
KDA is composed of five Offices and 17 Divisions. Environmental Services is one of these offices. All phone numbers are 502 area codes—unless otherwise designated.
Billy Ray Smith 564-5126
Chief of Staff
General Counsel and Legislative Liaison
Mark Farrow 564-4696
Office of Environmental Services
Ira Linville, Executive Director 564-4696
Agriculture and
Environmental Education
Rayetta Boone, Director 564-4696
·
Coordinates educational activities including displays
and exhibits at the Kentucky State Fair.
·
Operates the Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in
the Classroom program.
·
Fields the KAEC
mobile unit to promote agricultural literacy across the state.
·
Coordinates
Project Food, Land and People, a classroom curriculum emphasizing the
inter-dependence of natural resources and population.
Environmental Assistance
Bill Fraser, Director 573-0282
·
Helps agricultural operations and local governments
control weeds and pests such as mosquitoes, rats, thistles, blackflies, and
others. Administers chemical collection and pesticide container recycling
programs.
Farmland Preservation
Bill Burnette, Director 564-4696
·
Administers the Purchase of Agricultural Conservation
Easements (PACE) program, obtaining conservation easements to keep farmland in
agricultural production.
·
Advises local programs that purchase development
rights.
·
Administers farm registration programs.
Pesticide Regulation
John McCauley, Director 564-7274
·
Regulates Kentucky’s pest control companies, lawn care
industries, pesticide dealers, and pesticide applicators.
·
Operates training, licensing and certification programs
in agricultural pesticides and structural pest control.
·
Registers pesticide products sold or distributed
statewide.
·
Researches agricultural water quality issues related to
pesticides.
Other resources of interest are provided below.
|
Pesticides Information
Hotline |
Tobacco plant hotline
(seasonal) |
|
Hay testing hotline |
Hay sales hotline
(seasonal) |
|
Free pesticide pickup |
Web page assistance
hotline |
|
Kentucky Agriculture News
hotline |
Teens and Tobacco hotline |
|
Visit www.kyagr.com For the latest on KDA programs and farm news |
Kentucky Department of
Agriculture |