Strategic Roadmap for Kentucky Agriculture: 2025-2030
Continue diversification and innovation across farm, food, fuel and fiber.
As Henry Ford once said, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve already got.” Innovation and diversification are critical for the future of Kentucky agriculture because they ensure the industry remains resilient, competitive, and sustainable. As traditional farming faces challenges from changing and fluctuating markets and evolving consumer demands, innovation offers new methods to improve efficiency, productivity, and environmental stewardship by building networks and consortiums to adapt new technology across all sectors of agriculture. Diversification, by expanding beyond traditional crops allows Kentucky farmers to explore new markets and scale new initiatives—such as fiber hemp, beverage processing, and bio renewables. Embracing both innovation and diversification not only helps preserve Kentucky’s rich agricultural heritage but also positions it to thrive in an increasingly global and dynamic food system, securing economic stability for future generations. —Dr. Tony Brannon, Strategy Lead
View Updated Working Group Document (.docx)
Tactic 1: Ag Tech ConsortiumFacilitate and coordinate with innovation networks throughout the state and multi-state region.a. Identify and showcase product success stories, e.g. HempWood flooring, drones, biologicals and Kanbol corn bowls. b. Expand farmer network to screen and select a diverse group of forward-thinking, innovative farmers who support the commercialization of technologies. Help move from proof-of-concept to beta demonstration, to peer-to-peer scale. c. Leverage ag tech networks to grow understanding of innovation across Kentucky and learn from other states domestically and abroad. Market development for new crops. When? November 2024-February 2025 Where? Local small businesses, on-line, more innovation campuses statewide | Project Leads Partners for Delivery
Collaborators |
Tactic 2: Diversification and Innovation NetworkingIdentify and pull together diversification and leadership models, how to make enterprises on the same farm work together, existing training, and mentoring programs. a. Look into diversification and innovation farmer network and fund: connect the dots, reduce the risk, and support the adoption of novel and emerging technologies through a variety of means including information sharing, customer discovery, on-farm equity-based trials, market matchmaking, etc. b. Promote farm-centric open innovation models and provide follow-on funding farm trials. c. Remove barriers of entry and help funders be aware of specific equipment and space needed for producing different crops, such as KDA grant, county funds, etc. d. Encourage farming diversification and innovation amongst funders – farmers need assistance from development or county funds for transitioning equipment and adopting emerging technologies and innovations. e. Consider potential for shared use equipment and space and existing models. County Conservation Districts have equipment for local producers. f. Develop new partnerships with university Technology Transfer Offices (TTO) and nascent programs to increase disclosures of potentially impactful technologies and licensing into agricultural spin-outs. When? 2025-2026 | Project Leads
Partners for Delivery
Collaborators Value-Added Working Group, Economic Development Working Group, AgLaunch Bootcamp, Supply Chain Working Group, Community Farm Alliance fund distribution, KY Black Farmer Fund, SBIR/STTR Matching Fund |
Tactic 3: Innovation Partnership VisionCreate shared vision statement about what technology and innovation is in Kentucky, bringing together farmers and industry partners. a. Test and scale new crops, working with industry partners and stage appropriate crops to regional characteristics that give a competitive advantage. b. Develop strategic relationships among partners that facilitate coordination of on-farm adoption of new ag tech statewide to provide a coordinated approach. c. Promote the adaption of new tech across all sectors of agriculture, such as drones. Provide opportunities to farmers interested in specific innovations e.g., bus trips. When? 2026-2027 Where? University research farms, producer/partner meetings | Project Leads
Partners for Delivery Collaborators Ag Coord. & Comm. Working Group, KY General Assembly, Cooperative Extension, University research farms |
Tactic 4: Elevate BiorenewablesWork with existing KDA, regional, and association efforts to elevate interest in renewable fuel and build understanding of needs/logistics, e.g. methane digesters, ethanol aviation fuel, woodland waste, sustainability requirements/carbon market, etc. Be involved in legislative action, industry needs (e.g. UPS), research, and regional needs. When? 2026 | Project Lead
Partners for Delivery
Collaborators KY General Assembly, Agriculture groups, KY Energy & Environment Cabinet, USDA Rural Development, Commercial Aviation Fuels Initiative, UofL Center for Biorenewability, UK |
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Tactic 5: Beverage ProcessingIdentify ways to leverage local with distilleries to have Kentucky corn, barley, rye, wood, and other crops purchased for beverages. Help drive case for farmer trials and develop producer understanding of beverage processors. When? 2025 | Project Leads
Partners for Delivery Collaborators Value-Added Working Group, Distilleries already purchasing local and providing by-products |
Tactic 6: Food/Fiber/Fuel Special AttributesCreate new markets for farmers that monetize special attributes of food/fiber/fuel products, farming practices, and of the farmer/operation, ultimately contributing to increased market intelligence to increase direct farm impact (e.g. canola). When? 2026-2027 | Project Lead
Partners for Delivery
Collaborators Value-Added Working Group, Ag Coord. & Comm. Working Group |