By Blake Jackson
Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell delivered the keynote address at Kentucky Farm Bureau’s (KFB) annual Commodity Luncheon during the organization’s 106th Annual Meeting, held at the Galt House in Louisville. The luncheon is a highlight of the event, celebrating Kentucky agriculture while exploring opportunities for growth and resilience.
KFB President Eddie Melton emceed the session, recognizing the organization’s leadership, sponsors, and partners. Louisville Metro Mayor Craig Greenberg welcomed attendees, emphasizing the importance of agriculture to the city’s economy and highlighting initiatives to support local farms and Kentucky Proud products.
“With Commissioner Shell, we've been working to find ways that we can strengthen relationships between rural Kentucky and urban Kentucky right here in Louisville,” said Mayor Greenberg.
Shell opened his remarks with humor but quickly expressed gratitude for KFB and its influence on his leadership journey. He echoed the mayor’s sentiments, noting his department’s significant collaboration with Louisville and Jefferson County.
“If you told me that I would spend 50% of my time as Commissioner of Agriculture in Jefferson County and Louisville, I would have told you you were lying to me,” Shell said.
“Jefferson County is our biggest partner, our biggest asset that we have in ag today,” he added, citing economic drivers like KFB headquarters, major agribusinesses, riverports, the Kentucky Fairgrounds, national livestock and machinery events, and J.B. Swift Co., which processes more than 10,000 hogs daily.
Shell also highlighted joint efforts with Mayor Greenberg to expand local food procurement and the “Food is Medicine” initiative, as well as efforts to remove barriers to using Kentucky-grown foods.
Addressing market pressures, Shell acknowledged challenges such as three years of low grain prices and noted an upcoming federal aid announcement. “What our farmers want is not a government check. They want a market open, and they want a market available,” he said, emphasizing the need to restore farm profitability to preserve farmland and secure rural communities.
Shell also shared successes in the “All In for Ag Education Week” initiative and reflected on his personal priorities, encouraging attendees to focus on faith, family, service, and leaving a meaningful legacy for Kentucky agriculture.
Photo Credit: kentucky-farm-bureau
Categories: Kentucky, Government & Policy