Agriculture

Federal grants from the Rural Energy for America Program will help businesses lower energy bills and expand their green energy footprint.

The announcement is part of the federal government’s ongoing response to the months-long outbreak within dairy cattle and years-long challenges faced by the country’s poultry industry.

Beginning Farmer Institute helps those starting out in the industry find firm footing. Applications are currently being accepted for its next cohort.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last week that it’s launching a voluntary pilot program to expand testing for dairy farms to gain better insight into the virus.

Christian County is among the top dairy counties in the state, ranking fourth for the number of milk cows.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently released a new plant hardiness zone map — moving about half the country into a warmer section.

The Homegrown National Park philosophy seeks to increase pollinator habitats one backyard at a time.

Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell touted the possibility of local farmers growing corn for aviation fuel.

Shell is the new Kentucky commissioner of agriculture and a former state representative who farms in Garrard County.

A 2022 survey indicated challenges include “access to farmland and capital, student loan debt, access to health care, affordable housing and the increasing impacts of climate change.”