Policy

Since 1985, CFA members have influenced over two dozen pieces of legislation in support of Kentucky’s farmers and the rural and urban communities that depend on them. Watch our 2020 policy impacts video here.

CFA’s 2023 Policy Agenda

Kentucky

  • Continue to build and support a robust Kentucky Food Policy Network
  • Lay the groundwork to introduce a Healthy Farm and Food Incentive Fund in 2022
  • Work with the soil health coalition to tweak proposed healthy soils legislation
  • Take the lead from the Thrive KY coalition to oppose harmful safety net bills
  • Take the lead from KY Solar Advocacy Network to oppose harmful anti-solar net metering bills

National

  • Continue advocating for adequate federal COVID-19 support/relief for farmers and food insecure folks
  • Continue working on national meat processing bills and strategize around state policy needs
  • Develop shared language around climate change and agriculture — we released our Climate Declaration in April 2021
  • Martin & Ebony talk about healthy food access with Sen. Paul Hornback in 2020
  • Josh, KC, Kelsey, Salena, and Wayne meet with Senator Reggie Thomas in 2019.
  • CFA farmers market leaders–James, Molly, and Jen–testify on the cottage foods bill (HB 468) in 2019.
  • Kelsey, Sheryl & Seth Long, and James in front of the Kentucky Capitol building after meeting with Sen. Hornback & Rep. Heath in 2019 about cottage foods.
  • Heather & Cassia pose with Tamara of Kentucky Association of Food Banks at the Hunger Rally in 2014
  • CFA members rallied in Louisville to protest USDA NAIS hearings in 2009. Protest leads to a meeting between Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack and CFA leaders.
  • Ivor and John pictured with a legislator before winning passage of HB 120 which allows farmers to sell cooked food at farmers markets.
  • Janet Jenkins testifies in support of HB 391 in 2003, which becomes law, allowing home-processing, micro-processing, and in-state certification.
  • CFA members lead a tractorcade through Frankfort in 1999 to bring attention to Phase I allocated of Tobacco Settlement monies.
  • CFA promotes a tobacco reinvestment proposal in the halls of Congress and helps repeal a special tax imposed on tobacco farmers in 1994.
  • Kenny Mattingly Jr. Traveled to France to stand in solidarity against GATT in 1992.
  • CFA fights for a new dairy policy in 1991 to protect family farmers.
  • CFA members stop construction of a landfill and medical waste incinerator for out-of-state waste in 1989.