Project Description

STATEWIDE AG-SECTOR STRATEGIC PLANNING

Client: Kentucky Agricultural Council

The Kentucky Agricultural Council is an independent umbrella organization representing all segments of Kentucky agriculture. Their mission is to be the “steward of strategic planning for Kentucky Agriculture.” Its vision is to promote Kentucky’s agriculture cluster and its unique strengths as an economic development platform for the state’s rural communities and diverse regions.

According to KAC’s statement on the history and origins of the organization’s strategic plan: “Prior to the federal tobacco buy-out in October of 2004, Kentucky agriculture as a whole has not had a unifying focus or strategy to guide its future growth and development. Various organizations and agricultural sectors had established plans for their respective interests, but no plan existed for the industry as a whole.”

Beginning in 2007, CAS’ Dawn Riley and Steven Spalding were retained to work directly with association leaders and constituents for each of the organizations’ major strategic planning efforts: “A Pathway for Kentucky’s Agriculture and its Rural Communities: 2007-2012 Strategic Plan”; 2009 Progress Report; and the current 2013-2018 Strategic Plan.

The processes involved directly convening every major ag stakeholder group across the state–from individual small-scale, organic farmers to major industry associations–within dozens of facilitated meetings, interviews, workshops and pushing for consensus on specific, measurable, strategic objectives that would “move the needle” for all.

The following bullets from the 2013-2018 Plan  are the “Top 5” Actions to Advance Kentucky Agriculture in this phase of the Post-Tobacco Settlement Era:

  • “Restore the historical level of revenue to the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund that will permit it to continue support for diversification of Kentucky farm production and strengthen the economic vitality of rural communities.
  • Fully fund and implement initiatives underway to upgrade the diagnostic facilities at the Murray State Breathitt Veterinary Center, including full construction funding in the Commonwealth’s 2014 Budget.

    Above: Rending of the Planned BVC released in Murray State News (Sept 2014). The site was completed and opened in 2016.

     

  • Improve the competitiveness of Kentucky agriculture with other states and help to increase net farm income through innovative legislation and tax law modifications and also create a regulatory environment that allows agricultural producers and businesses to make long-term operational decisions and investments in land, labor and equipment.
  • Continue to provide strong funding support for the Department of Agriculture’s Kentucky Proud program; also increase state funding through KDA for agriculture-focused companion marketing efforts at regional, national and international events. 
  • Adequately fund the State’s Agricultural Experiment Stations and University Farms to cover the costs of deferred maintenance on facilities and provide adequate funds for new programs.”