Table of Contents
- Full General Assembly Recap
- Newsletter Version
- 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.
