As we get closer to the end of this year’s General Assembly session and further into the current Congressional calendar, it’s safe to say our advocacy efforts are more important than ever.

As an organization, Kentucky Farm Bureau is continually working at all levels to ensure our farm families have a voice in legislative actions that affect their farming operations and rural communities.

But that takes a lot of work from our public affairs team, not only during those times when our legislative members are in session but throughout the entire year. Advocacy never stops. Supporting those who fulfill our food, fiber, and fuel needs is much like life on the farm. It is an ongoing job but one that reaps great rewards.  

However, for us to be as efficient as possible as we advocate in Frankfort and Washington, we must make it a continual process.

And I must say, while the team we have in place at KFB brings many years of collective experience on state and national issues to the table, they are doing so as one of the newest and youngest groups of public affairs professionals we’ve ever had.

During our recent KFB Presidents and Vice Presidents Conference, a capacity crowd of county leaders heard from three members of the team, who updated them on a variety of issues going on at all levels of government.

I can’t tell you how proud I am of the work they are doing and the accomplishments they are making for our organization.

Kyle Kelly is serving as our director of the Public Affairs Division, Ericka King is director of National Affairs and Government Relations, and Anne Marie Franklin serves as Governmental Affairs Manager for KFB Insurance.

Make no mistake about it, this team is making a difference for our organization and for the industries we serve.

Bringing a new generation into Farm Bureau is vital to the existence of this organization and it’s something we have experienced since our founding over 100 years ago.

I compare it to bringing forth a new generation on the farm. In order for us to continue our family farming traditions, we must help our young people find their places in this noblest of professions.

The farm cannot survive without this progression of the next generation taking the reins. The same can be said about Farm Bureau. We have survived and strived over the years because of the continual influx of young people who have become involved, often at the local level.  They have found a home in this organization working diligently to move it forward in a way that guarantees our success now and for years to come.

I feel as though our policy affairs efforts are in good hands with this team and I'm excited to see the great things they will do for many years to come. I look forward to working with them in the future and want our members to know they can reach out to any of them when they have questions or want to discuss issues.

Mark Haney, President
Kentucky Farm Bureau