Kentucky Pork News
Kentucky Pork Entering New Partnership with Tennessee Pork
January 2024
The Kentucky Pork Producers Association Board of Directors unanimously voted to accept the Kentucky & Tennessee Pork Strategic Plan at the 2024 Annual Meeting.
The volunteer producer-led boards for Tennessee and Kentucky Pork approved a strategic planning process to explore an innovative, collaborative approach to state association leadership. The initiative began in 2022 and the process was designed in phases – discovery, design, approval/adoption, and implementation.
Pictured: (Left to Right) Senator John Boozman, Isaiah Pruitt, Emma Heimlich, KPPA President, Eric Heard, Leader Mitch McConnell
Kentucky Farm Bill Roundtable Session
June 2023
The Martin-Gatton UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment hosted a Kentucky Farm Bill Roundtable Session led by Leader Mitch Mitch McConnell and Senator John Boozmen on Tuesday, June 27. Agricultural commodity groups and organizations had the opportunity to represent their producers and bring forward any areas of focus to Leader McConnell and Senator Boozman for the upcoming Farm Bill. Emma Heimlich represented Kentucky Pork Producers at the panel. Heimlich brought up the importance of proper foreign animal disease prevention for the industry and the approaching implications of Proposition 12. “The ruling demonstrates the allowance of state overreach and will drive up prices for our consumers and put our small to mid-size producers out of business, leading to more consolidation of our industry and fears of food availability and food affordability,” said Heimlich. “Kentucky’s agriculture infrastructure leans on small, family farmers.”
Kentucky Pork Producers thanks Leader McConnell and Senator Boozman for taking the time to sit down with Kentucky’s agricultural groups and listen to the important issues facing the state.
Pictured: Tennessee Farm Bureau President, Eric Mayberry, Emma Heimlich, Isaiah Pruitt, Phyllis Ferguson, Executive Vice President, Tennessee Pork Producers
A Recap on the Tennessee Farm Bill Listening Session
June 2023
Director of Program Management, Emma Heimlich and Intern, Isaiah Pruitt traveled to Lebanon, Tennessee to participate in a Farm Bill Listening Session hosted by the Tennessee Farm Bureau and Tennessee Department of Agriculture on Monday, June 26. Heimlich and Pruitt had the opportunity to listen to multiple agricultural commodity groups and organizations present their desires for the upcoming Farm Bill to members of the House Agriculture Committee. Those members included Chairman, Glen “GT” Thompson (R-PA), Representative Scott Desjarlais (R-TN), Representative John Rose (R-TN), and Representative Jonathan Jackson (D-IL).
Kentucky Pork Welcomes Kylie Trail
June 2023
The Kentucky Pork Producers have welcomed Kylie Trail to #TeamKYPork as the new Kentucky Swine Health Contractor. Trail comes from a long line of experience with producer relations due to her previous role as the Brand Manager for the Kentucky Beef Council. In this role, Trail will be traveling the Commonwealth and enrolling swine producers in multiple animal health traceability programs. Trail’s position was generously funded through a National Pork Board Grant awarded to the Kentucky Pork Producers.
If you are a producer and looking to get enrolled in AgView, U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan, Secure Pork Supply Plan, and additional health programs, you may contact Kylie at ktrail@kypork.org
Bonnie Jolly Awarded Honorary State FFA Degree
June 2023
Bonnie Jolly of Sonora was awarded the Honorary State FFA Degree at a special ceremony during the 94th State FFA Convention in Lexington. The Honorary Degree is awarded to adults who have made a significant contribution to the state association. Past recipients of the award have included several Kentucky Governors, various leaders in agriculture and education, and numerous individuals who have provided service to the organization over the course of multiple years.
Kentucky Pork Honors Outstanding Swine Farm Family
April 2023
The Kentucky Pork Producers Association recognized J.W. and Lauren O’Bryan of O’Bryan Grain Farms as the 2023 Outstanding Swine Farm Family at its Annual Meeting in January. The Outstanding Swine Farm Family award is given to those families who proudly represent the Kentucky swine industry in their everyday lives and careers. The O’Bryan Family embodies that in every sense of the description.
Annual Meeting 2023 Recap
February 2023
The 2023 Kentucky Pork Producers Annual Meeting took place in Bowling Green, Kentucky on January 19 and 20. Attendees from across the Commonwealth and country traveled to attend the convention and learn about the latest in the Kentucky swine industry.
Kentucky Pork Attends National Farm Machinery Show
February 2023
The Kentucky Pork Producers Association had the exciting opportunity to host a booth at the National Farm Machinery Show for the first time in the Association’s history.
“Our first year having a trade show booth yielded great results. New memberships, policy conversations, learning of challenges facing our farmers, and plenty of fellowship. Many out of state and international farmers were grateful to see pork represented with a person to talk to.” - Niki Ellis, Executive Director
Kentucky Pork Producers would like to thank everyone that purchased pork at the National Farm Machinery Show. Those purchases fuel the Association’s ability to support multiple youth programs, policy work, regulatory education, and more.
Be on the lookout for Team Pork at the National Farm Machinery Show next year!
Kentucky Pork Producers Merchandise Now Available!
February 2023
We are excited to announce our new online store! Get ready to represent Kentucky Pork in style with a wide selection of products, from Carhartt pocket tees to comfy hoodies. We are proud to work with a local company to provide these items, so please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery. Currently we are only accepting PayPal. New payment methods coming soon!
Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees
February 2023
Are you a Kentucky farmer or forester who improves soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on your working land? Apply for the 2023 Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award. Applications for the $10,000 award are due April 1st.