Featured speakers included Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell & American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall
LOUISVILLE, KY (Dec. 5, 2024) – Earlier today, Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) hosted its annual Commodity Luncheon at the organization’s 105th Annual Meeting. The luncheon is one of the many traditions at the yearly event held at the Galt House in Louisville, celebrating the strength and resilience of Kentucky’s agriculture industry, while looking ahead to the future.
The event began with a warm welcome from KFB President Eddie Melton, who recognized the organization’s executive leadership team and recognized the many distinguished guests in attendance. Melton then introduced Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell, noting that KFB is proud to partner with the Department of Agriculture on many important initiatives.
“Being your voice as Commissioner of Agriculture is the absolute best job in the world,” said Shell. He went on to acknowledge the theme of this year’s Annual Meeting, “A Firm Foundation,” sharing what it means to him. He credits his grandfather, Jimmy Shell, for helping him to establish his own firm foundation as a man committed to his family, his community, and his faith.
Most importantly, Shell said, “Agriculture itself is a firm foundation for Kentucky, our country and our world.”
Shell acknowledged the many difficulties farmers have faced over the past year, but said the opportunities ahead far outweigh the challenges. He discussed the Department of Agriculture’s “Food Is Medicine” educational campaign, which aims to put food as the central focus of health care, as well as his department’s major initiative to embed agriculture into school curriculums across the state.
Melton then introduced American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall. Duvall shared that he always looks forward to visiting the Commonwealth “to look back over the last year and celebrate all your successes.”
The overarching theme of Duvall’s remarks was the enormous potential he sees in county Farm Bureaus and their members. “When I look back at all the jobs and positions that I've been able to hold in this great organization, the most important position is that of the county president.”
He praised grassroots efforts at the county level, noting that advocacy efforts over a two-year period halted recent environmental legislation that could have negatively impacted farmers. “That's what an engaged membership driven by an active county Farm Bureau president and their board can make happen.”
Duvall also emphasized the continued need for a new, modernized Farm Bill. He also discussed concerns about some of the biggest issues facing the agriculture industry — labor, wages, immigration, tariffs and taxes.
Duvall challenged all Farm Bureau members in attendance not to rest on their laurels. “As I look out across this room and see all the potential, I also see lots of ways that we can tap into that to become better,” he said. “We can all step up and even do more under the banner of Farm Bureau. The Farm Bureau brand carries a very high respect and it's because of you, but we can make it even better. We have to make our county Farm Bureaus the premier organization in every county across this country.”
