LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Kentucky Farmland Transition Initiative Network has formed a strong network of 22 strategic partners, including agriculture organizations, businesses, and institutions across state, in a coordinated effort to preserve farmland.

Launched by the Kentucky Farm Bureau in April, the Kentucky Farmland Transition Initiative Network aims to address the concerning issue of farmland loss in Kentucky, which has seen a decline of 17,000 farms over the past two decades, according to officials.

“In the last 20 years, Kentucky lost 1.4 million acres of farmland,” Renee Carrico, Kentucky Farm Bureau director, commodity division, told Farm World. “In just the five years covered by the (2022) USDA Ag Census, we lost 9 percent (6,541) of our farmers, and 4 percent (530,594 acres) of our farmland.

“This is over 290 acres and three farmers per day the last five years,” she added. “At this rate, our number of Kentucky’s farmers will be cut in half in the next 60 years.”

Officials said the initiative provides resources, connections, and solutions to help families navigate farmland transition and retain their land for agricultural purposes.

Among the newly announced 22-partner network are: the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, Kentucky Corn Growers Association, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Pork Producers Association, and Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association.

Laura Knoth, executive director of the Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association and Kentucky Corn Growers Association, told Farm World when asked how they got involved in the initiative, “Kentucky Farm Bureau reached out to all the commodity groups in Kentucky to coordinate efforts to address the loss of farmland. Both Kentucky Corn Growers and Kentucky Small Grain Growers agreed to join the initiative.”

She said the two groups will help provide input on possible policies changes, program opportunities, and educational efforts on the issue, adding, “We must find ways for our farm families to be able to continue, compete and thrive, along with development that inevitably comes with a growing community.”

Eddie Melton, Kentucky Farm Bureau president, said Kentucky’s farm families are looking for ways to keep farmland in active production, and this initiative will help support them in that goal.

“With the loss of land we are seeing in the Commonwealth, now is the time to start these conversations and find ways to get these families connected to the resources they need,” he said. “There are already several great resources available in Kentucky that we want to make sure people know about, but, through this initiative, we will also engage directly with those involved in transition planning to see what else is needed and could be developed.”

Carrico said the Kentucky Farmland Transition Initiative plans to address this need for preservation of farmland in three main ways:

- Education: Helping families access resources related to farmland transition, and learn their options;

- Connecting Resources: Connecting providers of transition services to one another and to people who need their services;

- Grassroots Policy: Determining how existing policy is working, and what policy changes may be needed to increase the amount of farmland going to active farmers.

In the short term, she said, “Kentucky Farm Bureau has created a website, www.kyfarmlandtransition.com, that houses resources that already exist in the farmland transition space, shares news on the initiative, and provides an opportunity to give feedback and request information.

“The Kentucky Farmland Transition Initiative Network was also formed to encourage organizations, businesses, and institutions from across the state to share ideas, concerns, and input from their specific area of focus,” she said. 

“The members of the network bring their perspectives to the table, offer suggestions on how to reach farmers, and share with their contacts the need to address the issue of farmland loss,” she added. “This network is helping guide our actions in terms of resources and further education into policy options.”

She said, “Resources are being developed to address many common questions we hear, such as, how to Incorporate Farmland Transition discussions in your organization and ‘Where do I start?’ documents for different phases of life. 

“These are intended to help educate farmers and landowners of all ages to aid in the conversation and preparation of meetings with attorneys, estate planners, and CPAs (certified public accountants),” she said.

She said, “In true farm bureau fashion, policy is always the backbone of what we do. Members have been provided information throughout the year and each county, advisory committee, and district has been asked to discuss and submit policy resolutions in regard to farmland transition.

“As a truly grassroots organization, all resolutions must be voted on by the members at the Kentucky Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in December to be placed into policy,” she added. “With additional direction from our membership, the scope of what to focus on will be determined, both on the state and federal level.”

She said, “Although there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach, conversations regarding farmland protection easements, capital gains tax relief related to sales of agricultural property, and a state program for technical assistance for farmers and landowners, have already begun.

“As Kentucky Farm Bureau policy is finalized by our membership this winter, work will continue to preserve one of our state’s most valuable resources, prime farmland,” she said.