Agriculture continues to be one of the engines that drive the economy in Western Kentucky, the state, nation, and the world. As we are facing numerous challenges in Kentucky and the nation, agriculture continues to be the constant that everyone can count on. Agriculture continues to produce food and fiber for Kentucky, the United States, and the world. As people rushed to grocery stores and other businesses to purchase what they felt were needed items, agriculture is at the forefront. Whether it be the ground beef, milk, bread, eggs, or other food products or items such as toilet paper and paper towels, agriculture had a hand in making that product.
As we reflect back on the year, agriculture’s challenges can best be described by a quote from Charles Dickens used Sunday by Minister Tom Bell. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” describes 2019 and the beginning of 2020 as farmers dealt with a wet spring and early summer in 2019, dry weather late in the growing season, a mild winter, and a very wet early spring in 2020. Add to it a United States, Canada, and Mexico Trade Agreement and a preliminary trade agreement with Japan and China, that have been put on a back burner as our country deals with COVID-19.
There was a new optimism at the National Farm Machinery Show in February as thousands of people flocked to Louisville to see the latest and greatest in agriculture. The celebration was also evident as Kentucky Farm Bureau celebrated 100 years during their annual meeting in December. I also had the chance to serve as Master of Ceremonies at the Kentucky Commodity Conference in Bowling Green in February.
There was a new optimism at the National Farm Machinery Show in February as thousands of people flocked to Louisville to see the latest and greatest in agriculture. The celebration was also evident as Kentucky Farm Bureau celebrated 100 years during their annual meeting in December. I also had the chance to serve as Master of Ceremonies at the Kentucky Commodity Conference in Bowling Green in February.
On a different front, 2020 started out in a great way for this farm broadcaster. After Kentucky Farm Bureau announced some changes with the Across Kentucky program I have hosted for the past two years, the Edge Media Group launched the Your Ag Edge Network. The anchor show on the new network is called Travelin’ the Bluegrass. During the show, I talked about Farmers and Agriculture across the state of Kentucky. We also talk about what it taking place in the background to help make the farmers successful. Travelin’ the Bluegrass features music by our friends The Ridgerunners bluegrass music group. After launching the network and airing our first program Monday, March 16, we have continued to grow. The program is now on 70 radio stations across the state from Hindman to Paducah, and we expect that list to continue to grow. Look for more programs and the Your Ag Edge website in the near future.
Although National Agriculture Week looked much different this year, we still visited five agribusinesses during the week, although while maintaining “social distancing”. If you wondered about the Trigg County Ag Appreciation Dinner and the Christian County Salute To Agriculture Breakfast, both were canceled due to concerns about COVID-19. Look for both events to be rescheduled at a later date.
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