Tag: Farm Bill

Uncategorized

What’s Happening with the Farm Bill and What It Means for Kentucky

CFA Admin

June 23, 2026

, , , , , , ,

As we discussed last time, the House has passed their version of the Farm Bill (CFA’s May 1 Article). Today, the Senate moved that process forward, releasing a draft that sets up a committee vote this summer. For CFA members, farmers market operators, food access partners, and anyone who cares about where Kentucky’s food comes from, this legislation has direct implications. Here is a look at the timeline and what is at stake for the programs closest to our farmers and communities. If you want a primer on what the Farm Bill is and how it works, we have a Farm Bill Basics video that covers the basics. This update picks up from there.

Local Food and Farm to Community Programs

One of the more significant developments in the House Farm Bill is the creation of a new program called Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities. The program would direct USDA to partner with state agencies and tribal governments to fund the purchase and distribution of locally grown food to schools, food banks, and other community organizations. It is designed as a permanent, ongoing program with up to $200 million in annual funding.

This matters for Kentucky because it would create a stable, long term funding stream for connecting small and mid size farms to institutional buyers. In recent years, programs that served this function were ended before farmers who had planned around them could fully adjust. A permanent replacement, if it makes it through the Senate and into the final bill, would give farms and state agencies a more reliable foundation to build on.

The House bill also maintains the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), which funds grants supporting farmers markets, food hubs, and value added agriculture. CFA and many of our partner organizations have used LAMP funding, and its continuation is important for food systems work across the state.

Food as Medicine and Produce Prescriptions

The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, known as GusNIP, is the federal program that makes produce prescriptions and farmers market SNAP match programs possible. It funds competitive grants for projects that help people who receive SNAP have access to more fruits and vegetables and also provides produce prescriptions for people that have a diet related disease access fruits and vegetables.  This is often through partnerships with healthcare providers, farmers markets, and community organizations. Programs like CFA’s Kentucky Double Dollars and Fresh Rx for MOMs are built on this foundation.

GusNIP is reauthorized in the House Farm Bill with several updates that matter for Kentucky. The bill would reduce or eliminate the federal matching fund requirement for grantees in counties with persistently high poverty, which affects many counties in Eastern and Western Kentucky where match is often the hardest barrier to meet. The bill also expands produce prescription programs to include all forms of fruits, vegetables, and legumes, not just fresh produce, which can make a real difference for rural areas with limited fresh food access year round.

GusNIP has bipartisan support, and advocates in both chambers have pushed for increased funding. The House bill reauthorizes the program but does not increase its overall funding level, which is a point of continued advocacy as the Senate moves forward.

Farm to School

Schools are explicitly named as eligible recipients under the new Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities program described above, which makes this a significant potential win for farm to school efforts. State agencies could use program funding to connect local and regional farms directly to school cafeterias, building the kind of relationships between farmers and institutions that CFA and our partners have been working to support.

Farm Safety Net Programs

Federal safety net programs for farmers, including commodity price supports and crop insurance, are among the longest standing parts of the Farm Bill. Both the House and Senate proposals aim to update these programs significantly. The 2018 Farm Bill used commodity price reference points based on data from 2012, and input costs, land values, and market conditions have changed dramatically since then. Updating those reference prices is a priority for farm organizations across the political spectrum and is expected to be included in whatever final bill Congress passes.

For small and diversified farms, the safety net discussion also connects to conservation programs. Both the House and Senate versions propose shifts in how conservation funding is structured, with funding implications for like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) that many Kentucky farmers use to invest in high tunnels, cover crops, and other practices.

The Federal Budget Process: A Separate but Parallel Track

The Farm Bill and the federal appropriations process are two separate things, and both are moving at the same time. The Farm Bill sets the policies and program structures. The annual appropriations process sets the actual funding levels. Both matter, and right now both are in motion.

The House passed its FY2027 Agriculture and FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 8646) on June 3 by a narrow 213 to 210 vote. At $26 billion in total discretionary spending, it is $380 million below the FY2026 level. The Senate has not yet acted. Markups that were scheduled for June 25 were postponed, in part because Kentucky’s Sen. McConnell’s presence is needed for Republicans to move bills out of the Senate Appropriations Committee. That means the Senate version is still being shaped, and it is the version that matters most for what ultimately gets funded.

For programs that CFA members and partners work with directly, here is what the House appropriations bill proposes and what is still at stake in the Senate.

WIC: Nutrition Support for Women, Infants, and Children

WIC provides targeted nutrition support to pregnant women, new mothers, and children under five, and is a direct point of connection between local farms and low income families. The House FY2027 bill cuts WIC by $200 million below the FY2026 level of $8.2 billion, and reduces the cash value benefit that families use to purchase fruits and vegetables by 10 percent. That cash value benefit is the piece most directly linked to farmers market and produce prescription programs. Advocates warn that cuts at this level could result in states having to turn away eligible families for the first time in decades. Kentucky WIC serves over 100,000 participants annually, many of them in rural communities where WIC is the primary nutrition support available.

A related issue is virtual WIC certification. Phone and video appointment options, which allow rural participants to enroll without traveling long distances to a clinic, are currently set to expire September 30, 2026. Bipartisan legislation to make these options permanent has support in both chambers but was not included in the House appropriations bill. This authority could also be addressed in the Farm Bill nutrition title.

GusNIP: Produce Prescriptions and Farmers Market Incentives

GusNIP is funded through both mandatory Farm Bill dollars and annual appropriations, and demand from states has consistently outpaced available funding. There is currently a $32 million gap between what the program is funded at and what states are requesting. Programs like CFA’s Kentucky Double Dollars depend on competitive GusNIP grants (and state level funding) to operate. The House Farm Bill reauthorizes the program with some positive updates for high poverty counties, but does not increase the overall funding level. Senate appropriators will have an opportunity to address that gap in the FY2027 bill.

Conservation, Rural Development, and Research

The House bill also cuts conservation funding for farmers by nearly 8 percent, reduces Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) funding by 17 percent, cuts the Farm Service Agency budget that provides loans and support to farmers in financial hardship, and reduces rural broadband investment by 20 percent. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which supplies food banks, is also cut from FY2026 levels. These are programs that Kentucky communities rely on, and the Senate appropriations process is where they can be protected or restored.

The Sticking Point: Food Assistance Cost Sharing

The biggest unresolved issue in Farm Bill negotiations is a provision passed in 2025 that will gradually require some states to cover a portion of their food assistance program costs. States with higher payment error rates will bear a larger share of those costs. Democrats in the Senate have said they will not support a Farm Bill that does not delay or revise this provision. Republicans, including Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Boozman, have indicated there are limits to what they can agree to given budget constraints, and the Senate draft released today does not include the delay Democrats are seeking.

This means the Farm Bill will need 60 votes to pass the Senate, which requires some bipartisan support. Whether that support materializes before the September 30 deadline, or whether Congress opts for another short term extension, remains the central open question.

What Comes Next

The next few months are as active as federal agriculture policy gets. The Senate committee is expected to vote on its Farm Bill draft in late July or early August. If and when it passes, the House and Senate will need to go to conference to negotiate a final version. At the same time, the Senate appropriations process for FY2027 is still ahead. These two tracks are moving together, and both will shape what is funded and what is not for the next several years.

CFA will continue tracking the legislation most relevant to our members and partners. The section below outlines specific actions you can take right now to make your voice heard.

How to Take Action

The Senate appropriations process is the best near term opportunity to protect the programs described above. Kentucky’s senators sit on committees that directly shape these decisions, and constituent contact from farmers, market operators, and food access organizations carries real weight. Here are the most pressing asks:

  • Fully fund WIC at or above the FY2026 level of $8.2 billion, and protect the fruit and vegetable cash value benefit. The House bill cuts WIC by $200 million and reduces the produce benefit by 10 percent. Kentucky WIC serves over 100,000 participants annually, many of them in rural communities where WIC is the primary nutrition support available. Urge your senators to restore full funding in the Senate appropriations bill.
  • Make virtual WIC certification permanent, or extend the current authority past its September 30, 2026 expiration. Phone and video certification options are the difference between enrollment and dropout for many rural Kentucky participants who face long drives to reach a WIC clinic. Bipartisan legislation to make these options permanent could be included in the Senate appropriations bill or the Farm Bill nutrition title. 
  • Protect and increase funding for GusNIP. Demand already exceeds available funding by $32 million. GusNIP is the federal foundation for produce prescription programs and farmers market incentives across Kentucky, and it keeps dollars with local farmers while improving health outcomes for low income Kentuckians. Senators can address the funding gap in the appropriations bill.
  • Support a delay in the implementation of new state food assistance cost sharing requirements. The 2025 provision shifting some food assistance costs to states is moving forward faster than many states can absorb. A delay would give Kentucky and other states time to adjust without disrupting services to families already enrolled.

To reach Kentucky’s congressional delegation, visit senate.gov and house.gov to find contact information. Calls and letters from farmers, farmers market operators, and community organizations are among the most effective forms of constituent outreach. If you have a story about how any of these programs affect your farm or community, sharing it directly with your senators’ offices is one of the most valuable things you can do right now. If you want help with how to reach out and share your story, or would like us to assist with sharing your story to the most appropriate legislator, please contact info@cfaky.org.

Sources: Torrey Advisory Group federal policy update (June 23, 2026); Brownfield Ag News; Politico/E&E News; National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Farm Bill analysis; Congressional Research Service comparison of H.R. 7567; Agri-Pulse; National Association of Counties.

Uncategorized

Farm Bill Moves Forward, Budget Signals Cuts: What It Means for Kentucky Agriculture

CFA Admin

The U.S. House has passed its version of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, marking an important step in a process that has already extended well beyond its original timeline. Attention now shifts to the Senate, where Agriculture Committee leadership, including John Boozman, has indicated that draft legislative text will be released in the coming weeks, though that timeline runs up against a scheduled recess beginning May 22. This creates a narrow and somewhat uncertain window for Senate action, and raises the possibility that negotiations could extend further into the year.

At the same time, the president’s proposed budget introduces a competing set of priorities, including the elimination of several programs that local and regional food systems rely on. Taken together, these developments illustrate both forward movement and continued instability in federal policy affecting Kentucky farmers.  CFA is just about halfway done reading the legislation, but this is a glance at where we are right now.

What the House Farm Bill Does

The House-passed bill largely maintains the existing framework for local and regional food systems, while making targeted adjustments that could have meaningful implications depending on how they are ultimately implemented.

  • Section 2302, State assistance for soil health, expands support and appropriates funding for soil health through state level programming, which has clear relevance for Kentucky given the interest our members have in soil health initiatives across the state. This provision creates additional opportunity to align federal conservation resources with locally driven priorities, though the extent of its impact will depend on final funding levels, state participation, and administrative design.
  • Section 4110, Animal protein an eligible incentive food, makes a notable change within nutrition incentive structures (which appears to affect GusNIP and Farmers Market Nutrition Program, at first glance) by expanding eligibility to include animal proteins. While this adjustment reflects an effort to broaden participation and consumer choice, it also raises important questions about how incentives will be structured in practice and whether support for locally produced fruits and vegetables will remain a central focus within these programs.
  • Section 4306, Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities, is a revamp of the Local Food Purchasing Program and Local Food for Schools Programs, which were very successful in KY. Based on quick calculations, this program may deliver between $2 and $3 million annually to Kentucky farmers, helping to stabilize markets and strengthen local procurement. At the same time, it also allocates funding to administer the program.  Its inclusion in the House bill represents a clear recognition of the role that local purchasing programs play in both farm viability and food access.
  • Section 5109, Heirs Property Resolution through Direct Public Interest Legal Services, addresses heirs property, an issue that continues to affect land access and retention for many producers. By providing funding for attorney and other fees to resolve heirs property issues, this legislation increases pathways for resolving heirs property challenges and has the potential to support long term farmland stability, particularly for multi generational operations.

In addition to these sections, amendments adopted during markup further signal an effort to improve access and usability of federal programs.

  • The Farmer to Farmer Education Act of 2025 provides funding for programs that specifically support peer learning, reinforcing the value of farmer led knowledge exchange. The link above goes to the Senate bill referenced in the amendment.
  • Amendment 45, (scroll down to amendment on this link) The Promoting Access to Local Agriculture, amendment focuses specifically on reducing administrative barriers by making it easier for farmers and farmers markets to register for and participate in federal nutrition incentive programs, a change that could meaningfully expand participation if implemented effectively. 
  • Amendment 54 (scroll down to amendment on this link) requires USDA to provide online enrollment options for disaster assistance programs, addressing a long standing barrier for many smaller operations.

While these policy changes are, on their face, promising, they represent only one stage in a much longer process. The House bill must still be reconciled with a Senate version, assuming the Senate advances its own bill, and ultimately any final provisions will need to be implemented in ways that are accessible, adequately funded, and responsive to on the ground realities.

The Budget Proposal: A Different Direction

In contrast to the House bill, the president’s proposed budget would eliminate funding for several programs that are central to local and regional food systems, particularly those that rely on discretionary funding rather than mandatory baseline support.

Among the programs proposed for elimination are the following:

  • GusNIP Produce Prescription Program, which connects healthcare and food access while creating reliable markets for farmers, including starting CFA’s FreshRx for MOMS, which has resulted in over $500,000 of fresh produce going to mothers on WIC or Medicaid; 
  • the Rural Cooperative Development Grant program, which supports organizations such as the Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development in providing business development assistance, which builds the backbone to $39 million in economic impact on farms last year;
  • Dairy Business Innovation Centers, which help small and mid sized dairy producers diversify and remain competitive, including at least 2 in KY; 
  • the Acer Access and Development Program, which supports value added forest products, and has helped support KY’s efforts to harvest and market maple; 
  • and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, which provides nutrition education that often complements local food purchasing efforts through cooperative extension.

Individually, these programs may appear relatively small within the broader federal budget, but collectively they form a critical layer of infrastructure for local food systems. Their elimination would not only reduce direct support to farmers, but also weaken the networks and institutions that make regional markets function.

Where This Leaves Us

At this stage, federal policy is sending mixed signals. The House farm bill maintains and, in some cases, strengthens key local food programs, while the proposed budget suggests a significant pullback in funding for many of those same efforts.

This disconnect underscores a fundamental challenge for local food systems, which are often authorized through legislation but remain dependent on annual appropriations to function. For Kentucky farmers, the outcome will depend not just on what is included in the final farm bill, but on whether those programs are ultimately funded and implemented in a way that allows them to be used effectively.

With the Senate expected to release draft language soon, and appropriations decisions still ahead, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether recent progress translates into sustained support or continued uncertainty.

This isn’t the last word on Farm Bill and Appropriations

These decisions are not final. Contact your Senators about how the farm bill and budget appropriations about those zeroed out programs if they have supported your farm or community.  Make clear that local food programs must be both protected and funded if they are going to work for farmers and communities.

Uncategorized

Community Farm Alliance 2026 Legislative Session Recap

CFA Admin

Table of Contents

  1. Full General Assembly Recap
  2. Newsletter Version
  3. Social Media Version

Full General Assembly Recap

A Session Years in the Making

Sometimes, the biggest wins don’t come with a lot of warning— they come after years of steady, persistent work.

This legislative session, we saw exactly that.

For years, farmers across Kentucky have been speaking up, organizing, and pushing for practical solutions to real barriers. This year, those voices broke through. Because of you— our members, farmers, and advocates— we made meaningful progress toward a more fair and functional food and farm system.

This wasn’t luck. It was a movement.

By the Numbers

  • Bills tracked: 30+
  • Priority issues advanced: 3
  • Bills passed into law: 2
  • Farmers engaged: 5+
  • Years of advocacy behind our biggest win: 5+

Top Wins

#1 Senate Bill 73: A Strategic Path Forward for On-Farm Poultry Processing

Sometimes, the work of advocacy is long and steady and then, the path forward takes a turn you don’t expect.

For years, Community Farm Alliance and Kentucky farmers have been working to remove barriers to limited on-farm poultry processing. This session, that effort was introduced as its own standalone piece of legislation. Like many good bills, it faced the realities of a crowded legislative calendar and a competitive policy environment.

But the story didn’t end there.

As the session moved forward, an opportunity emerged. The on-farm poultry processing legislation was taken from its original bill and added as an amendment to Senate Bill 73—a broader bill that was already moving through the legislature with momentum.

That strategic shift made all the difference.

Why this matters:

  • Opens new market opportunities for small-scale farmers
  • Reduces bottlenecks in processing access
  • Strengthens local food systems across Kentucky

How it happened:
This win reflects both years of groundwork and the ability to adapt in real time. Farmers and advocates laid the foundation by consistently elevating this issue. So when the legislative opening appeared, the policy was ready. By attaching it to Senate Bill 73, supporters were able to carry the provision across the finish line in a way that standalone legislation often cannot.

What it means moving forward:
With Senate Bill 73 set to take effect within 90 days, Kentucky farmers will soon have expanded access to limited on-farm poultry processing—removing a key bottleneck and opening new pathways for local production and sales.

#2 Senate Bill 5: Expanding Markets for Kentucky Farmers

This session also brought an important win for farmers selling into local school systems.

Senate Bill 5 creates new flexibility for Kentucky school districts to purchase Kentucky-grown agricultural products by removing certain state-level bidding barriers, while still following federal guidelines.

Why this matters:

  • Makes it easier for schools to buy directly from Kentucky farmers
  • Expands reliable, institutional markets for local producers
  • Strengthens farm-to-school connections across the state

What it changes:
School districts participating in USDA Child Nutrition Programs can now:

  • Use more flexible purchasing methods for Kentucky-grown products
  • Bypass certain state procurement restrictions that previously limited local purchasing
  • Increase opportunities for smaller-scale farmers to compete in these markets

This is a meaningful step toward keeping more food dollars in Kentucky communities—and getting fresh, local food onto school trays.

#3 Senate Joint Resolution 23: Advancing Food as Medicine Through Kentucky Agriculture

Not all wins come in the form of immediate policy change. Some set the stage for what’s next. This session, Kentucky took an important step toward recognizing something farmers have always known: food is not just fuel—it’s medicine.

Senate Joint Resolution 23 moves forward a deeper exploration of “Food is Medicine” approaches, creating space for collaboration between agriculture, healthcare, and state agencies. At its core, this effort looks at how fresh, nutritious food can play a role in improving health outcomes across the Commonwealth.

Why this matters:

  • Positions local, Kentucky-grown food as a key part of improving public health
  • Creates new opportunities for farmers to be part of healthcare solutions
  • Strengthens connections between local agriculture and community well-being

What it does:

  • Encourages study and coordination around Food is Medicine initiatives
  • Brings together stakeholders from agriculture, healthcare, and government
  • Explores how programs can source food directly from Kentucky farmers

How it fits into the bigger picture:
For Community Farm Alliance members, this is about more than policy—it’s about recognizing farmers as part of the solution to some of our biggest challenges. When local farms are the source of the “medicine,” we’re not only improving health outcomes, we’re investing in Kentucky’s rural economies, supporting small-scale producers, and building a food system that truly cares for people and place.

Progress Was Made

Soil Conservation, Heirs Property Rights, & More

We saw important movement this session, even if the finish line is still ahead.

  • Built stronger awareness among legislators
  • Gained new champions in the General Assembly
  • Advanced conversations that will shape future policy

This is how change happens—step by step, session by session.

Challenges & What We Learned

Like any legislative session, not everything went our way. Some priorities didn’t move as far as we hoped, and in some cases, we faced familiar challenges—limited time, other issues being prioritized because of the budget, and the need to educate more legislators and decision makers. But every conversation, every testimony, and every connection built lays the groundwork for what comes next.

We’re leaving this session stronger, more connected, and better positioned for the future.

What This Means Moving Forward & Looking Ahead

With new policies on the books, the work now turns to implementation—but it doesn’t stop there.

We’ll be tracking how these changes roll out, supporting farmers as they navigate new opportunities, and making sure the intent of the law translates into real impact on the ground.

At the same time, we’re carrying this momentum forward. The work continues as we look ahead to 2027 and beyond:

  • Strengthening local and regional food systems through programs like KY Double Dollars, Farm to School, and Food is Medicine
  • Supporting the next generation of farmers through farmland transition policies
  • Prioritizing healthy soils to build stronger farms, healthier watersheds, and more resilient agricultural communities

And through it all, we’ll keep building the relationships and grassroots power it takes to get there.

Because of You: We Are Stronger Together

This progress didn’t happen in Frankfort alone— it was built in communities across Kentucky, powered by people like you.

Farmers and members showed up! From meeting with decision-makers to sending emails and making calls to sharing their stories. And those very stories helped shaped policy.

For years, farmers pushed for change to make poultry processing work for small-scale operations. This session’s win is a direct result of that persistence.

Now that on-farm processing is finally allowed, we want to hear what this means for you.

Share your story:
https://forms.monday.com/forms/f0a8cba88a7db4be1d8eace148191b37?r=use1

We’ll be lifting up farmer voices across the state to show the real impact on farms, incomes, and communities— because this is what grassroots advocacy looks like in action.

Stay Involved

This movement is only as strong as the people behind it.

Because lasting change doesn’t happen in a single session—it happens when people stay in it for the long haul.

With Gratitude

To every farmer, member, and supporter who showed up, spoke out, and stayed committed— thank you.

This progress belongs to you. And we’re just getting started.

Newsletter Version

A Session Years in the Making

Sometimes the biggest wins come after years of steady, persistent work—and this legislative session proved it.

Because of farmers, members, and advocates across Kentucky, we made meaningful progress toward a stronger, more fair food system. This wasn’t luck. It was years of organizing, storytelling, and showing up when it mattered.

By the Numbers

  • 30+ bills tracked
  • 3 priority issues advanced
  • 2 bills passed into law
  • 5+ years of advocacy behind our biggest win

Top Wins

Senate Bill 73 – On-Farm Poultry Processing
After years of advocacy, language allowing limited on-farm poultry processing crossed the finish line by being added as an amendment to SB 73.
Impact: Expands market access, reduces processing bottlenecks, and strengthens local food systems.

Senate Bill 5 – Farm to School Expansion
Creates more flexibility for schools to purchase Kentucky-grown food.
Impact: Opens reliable markets for farmers and keeps more food dollars local.

Senate Joint Resolution 23 – Food is Medicine
Launches exploration into how Kentucky-grown food can support better health outcomes.
Impact: Positions farmers as key partners in public health solutions.

We also built momentum on soil conservation, heirs property, and more— laying the groundwork for future wins.

None of this happened by chance. Farmers, members, and partners showed up, spoke out, and worked together to move change forward.

So what’s next? Implementation— and continued advocacy to build a stronger, more resilient food and farm system.

This is grassroots advocacy in action. And it works.

Social Media Version

Big wins. Years in the making.

This legislative session, Kentucky farmers turned persistence into progress.

After years of advocacy, we helped:
✔ Expand on-farm poultry processing
✔ Grow farm-to-school opportunities
✔ Move “Food is Medicine” forward

This didn’t happen overnight. It took 5+ years of advocacy, organizing, and showing up. This progress was powered by farmers, members, and partners showing up and speaking out.

Because of you, we’re building a stronger, more local food system. This is what grassroots advocacy looks like— and it works.

We’re just getting started.

Uncategorized

Policy Update – March 31, 202

CFA Admin

As the 2026 session of the Kentucky General Assembly moves toward its final stretch, several key policy decisions are taking shape that will impact the future of farming, local food systems, and nutrition access across the Commonwealth. At CFA, we’re continuing to advocate for policies that support Kentucky farmers, strengthen local markets, and connect more Kentuckians to fresh, locally produced food.

This year, three core issues have guided our work for our members: protecting farmland ownership, investing in soil health, and expanding market opportunities for small and mid-scale farmers. The following bills represent important steps toward addressing these challenges and strengthening the long-term viability of Kentucky family farms:

  • Senate Bill 73: Originally introduced as separate poultry legislation and now incorporated into broader policy discussions, SB 73 would allow certain USDA-exempt poultry producers to process up to 1,000 birds on-farm and sell directly to consumers at farms, farmers markets, and roadside stands. This change would expand market access for small-scale producers and help meet growing demand for locally raised meat. The bill has been delivered to the Governor.
    👉 https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/sb73.html
  • Senate Bill 5 (SIGNED INTO LAW): This legislation makes it easier for schools to purchase Kentucky-grown agricultural products by reducing state levle procurement barriers, which starts to address strengthening farm-to-school connections and expanding markets for local producers.
    👉 https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/sb5.html
  • House Bill 197: This legislation would create a Healthy Soils Program and Fund to support farmers and landowners implementing soil-building practices through grants, technical assistance, and planning support.
  • Senate Bill 23: This bill would establish a clearer legal process when farmland is inherited by multiple family members without a will—helping families hold onto their land and reducing the risk of forced sales that can lead to land loss.
  • House Bill 871: This piece of legislation would establish a Kentucky Farm to School Program and dedicated fund. The program would reimburse school districts for meals that include Kentucky-grown products and require participating districts to develop plans to increase local purchasing and food education opportunities. 

Together, these conversations reflect a growing recognition that strong farms and healthy communities go hand in hand. From protecting family farmland to expanding local food markets, improving soil health, and supporting small-scale processing, the decisions made during this legislative session will have lasting impacts on Kentucky agriculture.

We’ll continue working alongside our members, farmers, community partners, and policymakers to advance solutions that strengthen family farms and build a more resilient local food system for Kentucky.

Become a family Farm Supporter by Becoming a member

Uncategorized

From Kentucky to Capitol Hill: Carrying Farmers’ Voices Forward

CFA Admin

Advocating for farmers doesn’t start in Washington—it starts in the fields, in early mornings, and in the lived experiences of those who grow our food every day.

For Community Farm Alliance, participating in the National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC) DC Fly-In was an opportunity to bring those experiences directly to policymakers. As Sandra Ballew Barnes shared, “Being on the Hill; sharing our farmers’ stories, is a crucial step in bringing the farmers’ voice in the room.” Meeting with Kentucky’s congressional delegation ensured that the needs of small-scale farmers back home were not just acknowledged, but heard.

For Farmer Liaison Kenya Abraham, the experience was both fast-paced and deeply meaningful.

Spending a day and a half on Capitol Hill felt like “speed dating”—a whirlwind of back-to-back meetings where small groups had just 30 minutes to make their case to congressional staff. Each conversation required focus, coordination, and clarity. Teams prepared in advance, studying detailed “playbooks” on each office and aligning their strategy before stepping into meetings.

Once inside, the conversation moved quickly—like a volleyball match—passing ideas and stories between advocates before delivering them across the table. The goal was simple but powerful: ensure that the realities farmers face every day were understood by those shaping policy.

But beyond the logistics and strategy, Kenya described advocacy as something much deeper.

“Being an advocate for farmers… feels like carrying something living,” she wrote.
 It means carrying early mornings in the dark, the weight of uncertainty in markets and weather, and the generational knowledge embedded in the land. It means representing not just policy positions, but livelihoods, risks, and dignity.

Walking into the “polished halls with marbled walls,” advocates stood at the intersection of soil and statute—translating lived experience into policy language. The results weren’t always immediate. Some meetings left participants energized and hopeful; others underscored how slow change can be. Most left them simply tired.

And yet, the experience remained profoundly important.

“It’s an honor to do this work,” Kenya reflected, emphasizing the importance of F.O.C.U.S—Fixed On Change Until Success.

For CFA, the Fly-In reinforced a core truth: advocacy is not just about policy. It’s about people. And ensuring that the voices of Kentucky farmers continue to shape the decisions that impact their futures.

Kenya left us with this moving recollection of the trip:

The Fly-in Experience with NFFC
Being an advocate for farmers with NFFC feels like carrying something living.
There’s such a huge weight to it.
You’re not just representing a policy or a position.
We are carrying early mornings in the dark,
and heavy feed buckets in the cold wind.
We carry our hands in the soil.
We carry the risk of drought and the gamble of markets.
We carry the prayer over seeds.
We carry families who have built something slowly.
We carry our heritage.
We carry risk and our loss.
And Always, We Carry Dignity.
Entering those polished halls with marbled walls, we stand at the intersection of soil and statute.
Sometimes you leave energized! – Feeling heard, respected, and hopeful.
Sometimes you leave frustrated! – Knowing how slow systems move, and you’re just pushing
along at a hamster wheel.
Mostly you leave tired! – Because it is absolutely exhausting to try and translate this lived reality
into policy language.
But we should always leave with pride! – Pride because I know that I’ve carried the fields into the
halls of power and made them listen, without leaving my boots at the door.
It is an honor to do this work with NFFC and may we continue to stay on FOCUS.

Fixed On Change Until Success
Kenya Abraham, Farmer Liaison
SLAK Market Farm LLC, Lexington, Kentucky

Interested in learning more about CFA’s policy work or getting involved? Stay connected and join us in advocating for farmers across Kentucky.

Become a Member!
Sign up for Policy and other newsletters