FRANKFORT, Ky. – People in Kentucky can now show their support of agriculture with a new Friends of Agriculture license plate. 

“Kentucky is beautiful, and Kentucky agriculture is a special way of life for many,” said Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell in a Feb. 26 media statement. “This new plate allows everyone to showcase their appreciation for farming, and all it brings to this state and community.”

The new plate was made possible after House Bill 157, sponsored by Reps. Ken Upchurch, Adam Moore and Mitch Whitaker, passed during the 2025 legislative session. The bill expands the eligibility for an agriculture special license plate. Before its passage, the previous agricultural special license plate was only applicable for those with a qualified farm vehicle.

Madison Pergrem, KDA deputy director of communications, told Farm World the Agriculture Promotion Trust Fund, commonly known as the Ag Tag Fund, is administered by the KDA in partnership with Kentucky FFA and Kentucky 4-H.

She said the fund is created by statute and consists of money deposited in the fund relating to donations made by individuals associated with the purchase of farm plates for qualifying agriculture vehicles under Kentucky Revised Statute 186.050.

“Consistent with the department’s long-standing commitment to supporting agricultural education, youth leadership, and public awareness of agriculture’s importance to the Commonwealth, the department voluntarily distributes a portion of the fund’s receipts to Kentucky FFA and Kentucky 4-H.”

While the farm plate is only available for qualifying agricultural or farm vehicles, the new Friends of Agriculture plate is available to anyone in the Commonwealth. She added the new plate will allow purchasers to directly invest in programs that support farmers, students, and rural communities across the state.

Officials said the Friends of Agriculture plate does not replace the farm plate.

FFA and 4-H members from across the state submitted designs for the new plate. The final plate design features a scenic rolling hills farmland highlighted with an image of the flag of the United States in the corner.

According to the department, the design was inspired by the submitted artwork from two students, Caden Penn, a sophomore and FFA member at Crittenden County High School in Marion, Ky., and Alyssa Woodard, a sophomore and FFA and 4-H Club member of Henderson County High School in Henderson, Ky. Each student received a $250 award for their winning submission.

Penn, 16, son of Brian and Jessica Penn of Marion, said he was excited to use his graphic design skills to create a license plate that he could put on his own truck.

Woodard, 16, daughter of Bill and Heather Woodard of Henderson, said she incorporated the American flag in her design because she loves the meaning behind it and its classic red, white and blue color scheme: “As long as I can remember, I’ve used it when making things,” she said. “I used the American flag in the background to add some personality.”

The purchase of the special license plate includes a $10 fee, and the renewal includes a $5 fee that will go into the Ag Tag Fund and be divided equally among Kentucky 4-H, Kentucky FFA and the KDA.

Melissa Miller, Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., executive director, told Farm World the fund has become a cornerstone for support of the youth development program across the Commonwealth: “For Kentucky 4-H, the Ag Tag Fund plays a particularly meaningful role. A defining feature of Kentucky 4 H’s stewardship of these funds is its commitment to reinvesting directly in local communities.

“Half of all Ag Tag proceeds received by Kentucky 4 H are returned to the counties where the donations originated,” she added. “County 4 H programs use these funds to provide camp scholarships, expand local 4 H programming, support leadership development opportunities, and carry out community service projects that benefit young people and their local communities.”

At the state level, Kentucky 4 H uses its portion of Ag Tag funds to support major statewide initiatives that directly enhance youth experiences, she said.

She said the introduction of the Friends of Agriculture license plate further expands this support: “The $10 fee collected from both the purchase and renewal of this plate is directed toward the same mission of investing in Kentucky’s 4-H youth. These funds help Kentucky 4 H broaden its reach, enhance statewide and county-level programming, and continue its long tradition of empowering 4-H youth across the Commonwealth.”

FFA chapters also used the money to meet the greatest needs in their community, such as FFA jackets for students in need, or helping cover travel costs to leadership events.

The department also uses its portion of the fund for various programs such as the Ag Athlete of the Year awards, the Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award, Kentucky Women in Agriculture, the University of Kentucky Grain and Forage Center of Excellence, and the Farm to School Stars program that rewards Kentucky schools for using Kentucky food products in meals.