Agriculture

The start-up, backed by nearly a half-billion-dollar investment, seeks to create living wages and sustainable agricultural practices in the region. Some worry about the impact on traditional farmers and others about the source of the funding.

AppHarvest founder and CEO Jonathan Webb said the pandemic has shown how fragile food supply chains are, and that projects like this can make it easier for people to access food locally.

During a virtual hearing, many small food producers said the Kentucky Department for Public Health proposal would cripple their business, especially given the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.

The new partners include the Dutch government, several Dutch companies, the University of Kentucky, Morehead State University, Eastern Kentucky University, the University of Pikeville and Berea College, Estep reports.

As more growers jumped into the market, the price of CBD-rich hemp fell 75 percent in less than a year.