American Farmland Trust: State Programs

With mile after mile of lush green hills, the Kentucky bluegrass area is known for its scenic beauty and agricultural landscapes, including the many thoroughbred horse farms. Agriculture also plays an important role in local economies. According to the 2002 Census of Agriculture, Kentucky’s 86,541 farms cover 13.8 million acres and produce more than $3 billion of agricultural goods and services.

SCott County adopts land protection program

Scott County became the second county in Kentucky to adopt a Purchase of Development Rights program . John Lacy, chair of the local Farm Bureau and Soil and Water Conservation District, noted several keys to getting the PDR program adopted: “PDR was a top priority of our county Comprehensive Plan update; we reconvened the rural committee as soon as the plan was completed to develop a strategy to get this recommendation implemented." More Success Stories

A rainbow arcs its way across a Kentucky field Rural Heritage Initiative Focuses on Farming

American Farmland Trust’s Gerry Cohn joined a multidisciplinary resource team brought together by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in central Kentucky to explore opportunities for preserving family farms and historic farm structures through new crops, marketing approaches, and economic development strategies based on the historic and cultural resources of the region.

Strategy suggestions for the region included:

documenting the interest in farmland protection through mapping of PACE and Agricultural District program applicants
providing transition and estate planning assistance for retiring farmers
supporting the viability of farms through local food promotion and farm-to-institution sales
expanding agri-tourism through regional coordination and technical assistance
developing barn rehabilitation case studies and demonstration projects

Most importantly, the initiative is emphasizing the importance of building partnerships across the community, creating collaborations between farms and towns, tourists and residents, and agri-tourism and historic preservation. More Programs

The Apple as Planet Earth

Do you know how much of the earth is suitable for farming? Watch this short animated presentation and learn why protecting our farmland is so important.

A new farm bill, what’s in it for Kentucky?

After years of work, we have a new 2008 Farm Bill. What does it mean for you and your community? From the foods we eat, to protecting farms from development, to helping keep our drinking water clean—the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 has many programs that affect all of us everyday.

What’s in the new farm bill and why is it important?
Find out what’s next for the farm bill and how we can make sure the promises made in the legislation are turned into programs on the ground.
Get an in-depth look at Kentucky's agricultural profile from a state and district level including production and payment information.