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Hannah is your local Simpson County Farm Bureau insurance agent!

Kentucky Farm Bureau has provided residents of the Bluegrass with quality insurance since 1943. As your local agent, I'm proud to serve the Simpson County community and take care of all your insurance needs with prompt service and personal attention. That's what being Kentucky's insurance company is all about. We offer home insurance, auto insurance, life insurance and more. Contact me today for a free quote!

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Kentucky Farm Bureau has received a statewide depredation permit that allows for a limited number of black vulture “takes” where black vultures are depredating on livestock. Livestock producers who are experiencing depredation may apply for a Livestock Protection depredation sub-permit that if approved will allow producers to protect livestock against black vulture attacks. This program allows for takes of black vultures or incidental takes of turkey vultures only. No other protected migratory bird species is authorized to be taken under this program.

All applications and reports will be made direct to Fran McCall, Commodity Specialist, either by email at Fran.McCall@kyfb.com or by phone at 502-495-5000.

Applications must be fully completed, signed, and dated by the livestock producer with the applicant agreeing to the terms and conditions of the original statewide depredation permit. Applications must be returned for consideration to the Commodity Division. Because of the limited number of “takes” Kentucky Farm Bureau is issued, all applications will be considered based on past livestock losses, number of livestock on the applicant’s farming operation, number of black vulture roosts, and approximate number of birds in the immediate vicinity. 

Producers cannot be issued a depredation permit by USFWS and apply for and be approved for a KFBF depredation sub-permit. Any livestock producer experiencing severe depredation from black vultures is encouraged to apply for an individual migratory bird depredation permit from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and/or work with USDA APHIS Wildlife Services (WS) to address their specific situation.

Black Vulture Depredation Sub-Permit Process 

2025 Black Vulture Depredation Sub-Permit Application 

A power outage is already enough of a headache. What can make the situation even worse is realizing that if the power has been out for a prolonged period of time, you may also need to find alternate storage for the contents of your refrigerator and freezer before all of the food spoils. Thankfully, a little preparation can go a long way when it comes to keeping your food fresh during a power outage.

Plan ahead

• First, if the forecast is calling for a big storm that has the potential to knock out the power, be sure to have a few important items on hand, such as a large cooler and ice packs or frozen gel packs, to help preserve refrigerated food. Instead of purchasing an overabundance of store-bought ice packs, reuse plastic water, juice, and other drink bottles by filling them with water and tossing them in the freezer to be used as ice packs.
• Next, make sure that the freezer is full, as a half-empty freezer will not keep food safe for nearly as long as a full one will. One way to do this is by freezing items that you may not use immediately, such as extra leftovers and meat. You can also use those makeshift ice packs mentioned above to fill empty space.

During the outage

• If a power outage occurs, be sure to keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed! Food will be safe for up to 4 hours in the fridge, 24 hours in a half-full freezer, and 48 hours in a full freezer. If the power does not come back on during this time, move the food items to a cooler with ice and cold packs, keeping them at a maximum temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
• If the temperature outside is below freezing, fill bottles or containers with water and leave them outside to freeze into homemade ice packs. These can be used to switch out with other ice packs when they begin to melt. It is recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to not place food items directly outside in the cold, as this can be unsanitary and attract hungry wildlife.
• If it is believed that the power will be out for an extended period of time, it may be smart to buy dry or block ice, which will help to keep food cold for a much longer period of time. According to the USDA, fifty pounds of dry ice should take care of an 18-cubic-foot freezer for up to two days.  

Once the outage is over

• When the power comes back on, and it is time to move food items back into the fridge, you may catch yourself worrying about what is still safe to eat, depending on how long it has been. To make life easier, FoodSafety.Gov has an extensive list detailing what is safe to keep, or what needs to be tossed. Click here to view the list.
• It is important to never taste food to determine if it is still edible or not. It is better to be safe than sorry, so if you have any doubts, throw it out!

While we might not be able to know exactly how big of an impact a storm may make, having the right resources and knowledge prior to an emergency can help homeowners be and feel prepared ahead of time. For additional information and tips for how to be fully prepared for severe storms, read our article: Are you prepared for spring storm season?

Today, 98 percent of Americans you pass on the road own a cellphone. And despite knowing the risk, a study done by AT&T shows that about 80 percent of those cellphone owners report using them while driving. Though still underreported, cell phone usage behind the wheel continues to be an on-the-rise issue. 

The auto industry has taken notice. Some tools have already been invented to curb the effects of this rampant roadway issue, while other technologies are quickly developing from budding ideas to larger-than-life innovations.     

Here’s a look at some of the technologies developed to curtail the epidemic of distracted driving:

• Automatic emergency braking (AEB)
  According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), many drivers involved in rear-end crashes either do not apply their brakes at all or don’t apply them enough.      
   
  A study by IIHS reported that AEB technology reduced police-reported rear-end crashes by 50 percent. It’s essentially like having another set of eyes on the roadway. Sensors on your car (cameras, radars and lasers) scan the road ahead for obstacles. If an imminent crash is detected, the system alerts the driver and begins automatically braking to reduce the severity of or prevent the collision.     
  
  A decade ago, AEB was a rare, futuristic feature only found in high-end vehicles. With distracted driving on the rise, this device is well on its way to becoming standard. Many popular automakers have already made AEB a standard feature in a majority of light-duty cars and trucks. In 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finalized a new law that will make AEB standard on all passenger cars and light trucks. This will be effective by September 2029.

• Lane departure warning (LDW) and lane keep support (LKS)
  Like AEB, LDW can pick up the slack for a distracted driver. Say you’re reaching into the passenger seat for a bite of that burrito you just picked up and temporarily take your eyes off the road... LDW alerts drivers with an audio or visual alert when they unintentionally drift out of a lane without a turn signal on. 
  
  While LDW leaves the correction up to the driver, LKS goes a step further by taking action. If sensors detect that a car is about to unintentionally move out of its lane, LKS will correct the steering and return the vehicle to its intended path.
   
• Eye tracking technology
  If you thought automatically-braking cars were space-age, imagine a world where cars were able to monitor your eyes and tell if you weren’t paying enough attention to the road. In the last decade, driver monitoring systems (DMS) have gone from an exclusive technology only found in premium cars to an essential safety feature for detecting driver distraction and drowsiness.
  
  In March 2019, popular automaker Volvo announced a plan to equip new vehicles with interior-facing cameras designed to monitor a driver's attentiveness by tracking their eye movement. If the cameras were to detect that a driver is distracted by looking at their smartphone or not keeping their hands on the steering wheel, it would raise an alarm. The automaker officially revealed this technology in November 2022 in the Volvo EX90.
  
  Additionally, General Motors has recently made significant improvements to its semi-autonomous driver-assist system, Super Cruise. The system boasts head tracking software that helps make sure your eyes are on the road, and alerts you when you need to pay more attention or take back control. Super Cruise also utilizes a host of sensors, radars, and cameras to steer, accelerate, and brake automatically. The Super Cruise network currently covers over 400,000 miles, and General Motors is actively working to grow to about 750,000 miles of compatible roadways.

While self-driving cars and innovative gadgets are sure to help our growing compulsion with smartphones, they alone can’t eradicate the problem. Make Kentucky’s roads a safe place to be, and join Kentucky Farm Bureau in driving distraction-free.
 

>> In Kentucky, there’s so much to live for. Join us in driving distraction-free.
To learn more about distracted driving’s prevalence in the Bluegrass State, click here.

If you’re a cellphone owner, you know the intense gravitational pull felt in response to a ding or vibration indicating the arrival of a new message. For most people, that magnetism unfortunately doesn’t go away when driving.

Technology got us in this mess, and technology is going to get us out. At least, that’s the sentiment of Deborah Hersman, former CEO of the National Safety Council.

Cell phone blocking technology can combat the prevalent issue of distracted driving by prohibiting calls or texts while a vehicle is in motion. This technology can come in the form of a downloadable app, adding a service to your wireless plan, or installing a device into your vehicle to create a “geofence” (a virtual barrier).  Devices that connect with onboard diagnostics stop your phone when the car is engaged and can send an auto reply to calls and texts.

Popular tech giant Apple took their first stab at distracted driving with an iOS update in 2017. The optional “Do Not Disturb While Driving” safety feature aimed to keep drivers focused on the road by blocking notifications on an iPhone’s lock screen and sending a voluntary, automatic reply to those attempting to text. Although the technology has been available for years now, it hasn't seemed to catch on just yet. According to a 2023 survey by Cambridge Mobile Telematics, only 20% of drivers surveyed frequently use the function. 

Several third-party apps with varying features are available for download in your phone’s app store. While most of them have call- and text-blocking capabilities, others go a step further by allowing parents to track their teen drivers, blocking email and internet access, and disabling smartphone cameras.

It’s important to note that a major concern among those looking to install this technology is the ability to reach 911. Emergency overrides come standard on all blocking devices and apps.

>> In Kentucky, there’s so much to live for. Join us in driving distraction-free.

The notion of distracted driving goes as far back as the invention of the automobile itself. There have always been external distractions–like billboards or people on the side of the road. Internal distractions are nothing new, either–tuning a radio, fiddling with the A.C., reaching for a French fry, or parenting from the front seat. 

The pioneer of distracted driving

Early examples of distracted driving studies go back as far as 1963, when scientist John Senders took to the roads blindfolded--all in the name of research. The Bureau of Public Roads (now the Federal Highway Administration) tasked him with investigating how much time a driver had to spend looking at the roads to drive effectively. To gather his needed data, Senders hopped into a Dodge Polara and drove into midday traffic on I-495 in Massachusetts.

The twist: he was wearing a motorcycle helmet with a sandblasted opaque shield, which was rigged to a sensor that periodically flipped it down over his eyes. With the visor down, Senders could see nothing until he triggered it to lift again for a fraction of a second.   

Senders’ findings were indicative of the future. He wrote in a report published in 1967 about the phenomenon of “road hypnotization": staring at the road ahead, but not actually seeing it. Senders noted a plethora of distractions tugging at drivers’ focus, including the rearview mirror, conversing with a passenger, and checking out landmarks.      

This study led him to develop the “occluded vision paradigm as a measure of attentional demand” (now a part of the protocol for assessment of distraction). This technique is still used today in driving studies and has a long and diverse history of applications, including its use in the development of instrument panel designs in airplane cockpits.    

Senders won an Ig Nobel Prize in Public Safety in 2011 for his study, “The Attentional Demand of Automobile Driving.” He died in 2019 at the age of 99.    

The arrival of cell phones
If only Senders had known what was coming next.    

In 1983, something arrived on the scene that drastically changed the definition of “distracted driving.” That year, cellular telephones were introduced to the American marketplace. 

By 1997, the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) reported that there were more than 50 million cellular customers in the U.S.  That same year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched one of the first intensive studies into the effects of wireless phones on driving.

Among those surveyed, nine out of 10 cellular telephone owners reported using them while driving. This study also surveyed the effects of driving and using a cellphone (inability to maintain speed, lane drifting, and weaving). The study highlighted comments by police officers, who were seeing an increased amount of odd behavior on the roads in conjunction with cell phone usage.

According to AT&T, today more than 90 percent of people say they know the dangers of texting and driving, yet many still find ways to rationalize their behavior.
 

Law enforcement takes action
Florida became the first state to ban the use of any sort of mobile communications device with a law against using headsets, headphones, or any other listening device in 1992. Arizona followed shortly after in 1996, with restrictions on the use of hand-held and/or hands-free communication devices by school drivers.

In 2001, several other states (New Jersey, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York) followed suit, enacting various bans on communications devices while driving. New York was the very first state to restrict the use of hand-held devices by all drivers.

Kentucky’s first law regarding distracted driving and cell phone usage was passed in 2007. It restricted the use of hand-held or hands-free devices by school bus drivers. On April 15, 2010, the Commonwealth House Bill 415 was signed into law, banning texting for drivers of all ages while a vehicle is in motion.

Today
In 2011, the number of wireless subscriber connections in the U.S. (315.9 million) surpassed the population (315.5 million), according to CTIA. Today, more than 97% of Americans own a mobile phone.

Currently, talking on a hand-held cellphone while driving is banned in 29 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thirty-six states and D.C. ban all cell phone use by novice or teen drivers, and 20 states and D.C. prohibit any cell phone use by school bus drivers.

Text messaging is banned for all drivers in 49 states (including Kentucky) and in D.C., Guam, and the Virgin Islands.

Click here to check out your state's laws regarding cellphone usage

In Kentucky, there is a texting ban. No laws currently restrict talking on a hand-held phone behind the wheel. Drivers younger than 18 and school bus drivers are under an “all cell phone ban,” which means these two groups are prohibited from any cell phone usage, including making hand-held phone calls.

The enforcement of these laws is “primary” in Kentucky, meaning a police officer may pull over and ticket a driver if he or she simply observes a violation in action.

In a society of increasingly unlimited availability, it’s obvious that this problem isn’t going away anytime soon. Don’t let a smiley face emoji be the reason you get a ticket–or worse. Please drive distraction-free.

In the far western corner of Kentucky lies Ballard County, a rural region at the convergence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. Winding riverbanks and 30,000 acres of verdant land make Ballard County a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. One of the best ways to enjoy the county’s natural splendor is to visit the Ballard Wildlife Area, an 8,200-acre area in the Mississippi River floodplain that is open to the public from March 16 to October 14 annually. This area is characterized by oxbow lakes, bogs, grasslands, and tupelo and cypress swamps. Viewing opportunities are numerous for birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians—from raccoons, deer, and beavers to transient pelicans, wood ducks, and bald eagles.  Maintained roads provide access to various observation decks and photography blinds, or the more adventurous souls can opt to explore via kayak or canoe, though be warned some areas are quite remote and are home to venomous cottonmouth snakes (also known as water moccasins).

It's worth noting that the nearby Axe Lake State Nature Preserve, though only accessible by written permission, is an unusual ecosystem in the state. It is known for its large, intact bald cypress-tupelo swamp, a landscape more commonly seen in southern coastal areas of the United States. This fragile biome is home to at least eight rare plant and animal species.  

Back on land and out of the swamps, Ballard County is rife with history. The Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site preserves an ancient Mississippian archaeological site. The museum offers a glimpse of the Native Americans that lived there and in other spots along the Mississippi River. These cultures, which farmed, hunted, and fished, built permanent homes and earthen mounds, the remnants of which can still be seen today. The largest intact mound at the site is known as the Ceremonial Mound, where political and religious activities would have taken place in the prehistoric Native American village.   

The Barlow House Museum in nearby Barlow also opens a fascinating window to the past. This expansive, 11-room Victorian mansion was home to Clifton Jesse Barlow, his wife, and their seven children. The museum showcases the family’s unusual collection of 20th century artifacts, furniture, crafts, and memorabilia.

The Fort Jefferson Site, overlooking the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, marks the location of the first European settlement in far western Kentucky.  It was a short-lived stronghold for protecting the western border of the United States during the Revolutionary War and, during the Civil War, offered logistical support and supplies for the Union Army. In the 1990s, dozens of local churches worked together to build a 95-foot cross on the site, which is lit at night and can be seen from Missouri and Illinois.

Though the brilliance of Ballard County undoubtedly lies in its quiet, natural beauty, there are some must-stop spots if you’re enjoying the rural back roads and need a bite to eat. Smokey D’s Family Restaurant’s smoked meats are well-loved by locals and travelers alike, and Kentucky Hillbilly BBQ serves up tasty menu items like the “Hillbilly BBQ Tater” and “Pawpaw’s Coleslaw.” The Bluegrass Restaurant is a small-town spot with noteworthy service serving up catfish and fried green tomatoes, and Mimmie’s Pizza and Subs is the perfect stop for some pub food (try their smiley face fries, General Tso’s wings, or dessert pizza if you’re feeling fun!). 

Hometown agents. Because personal service still matters.

For your convenience, Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance has insurance agents located in Anderson County. Click here for more information.

The 120 is a blog series produced by Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance highlighting each of Kentucky's 120 counties—because we're well-known for knowing Kentucky well.

The Kentucky Farmland Transition Initiative (KFTI) Network, a coalition of Kentucky agricultural organizations and institutions committed to preserving farmland for active farmers, has officially endorsed the Protecting American Farmlands Act introduced by U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell. As Kentucky continues to lose farmland at an alarming rate, network members are calling on Congress to pass this critical legislation to ensure farm families have the tools they need to transition their land to the next generation of farmers.

Launched by Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) in April 2024, the KFTI Network brings together key stakeholders — including farm organizations, agribusiness leaders and educational institutions — who are working collaboratively to address the challenges of farmland transition. 

“The farms we know and love as Kentuckians are at risk,” said KFB President Eddie Melton. “At the current rate of farmland loss, the number of Kentucky farmers will be cut in half over the next 60 years. We can’t solve this problem alone, and fortunately, we don’t have to. With the support of Senator McConnell and so many influential leaders in agriculture, we have an opportunity to make real progress in preserving our farmland. The passage of the Protecting American Farmlands Act is an essential step in this effort.”

“American farmers, especially those in Kentucky, are grappling with a steady decline in available farmland,” said Senator McConnell. “Now more than ever, we must preserve our agricultural land and keep it in production for the next generation of producers. The Protecting American Farmland Act reduces the tax burden on selling farmland, making it easier for retiring farmers to keep their land in the hands of those who will continue to cultivate it. This legislation, which I was proud to partner with the Kentucky Farm Bureau on, is a big win for farmers across the country, and one that will help plant the seeds of farming for generations to come.” 

Senator McConnell has been a member of the Agriculture Committee since his first day in the Senate and currently is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics and Research.

The Protecting American Farmlands Act offers incentives to help retiring farmers transition their land to active producers instead of selling to developers or investors who remove farmland from production. The legislation allows landowners who sell to active farmers to defer taxes on the proceeds of the sale. This provides a much-needed financial pathway for retiring farmers while ensuring that farmland remains in agricultural use.

• KFTI Network Members endorsing the legislation and urging Congress to pass this bill are:
• Agribusiness Association of Kentucky
• Community Farm Alliance
• Farm Credit Mid-America 
• Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts 
• Kentucky Association of Meat Processors
• Kentucky Burley and Dark Tobacco Producers Association 
• Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association 
• Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development
• Kentucky Corn Growers Association
• Kentucky Dairy Development Council 
• Kentucky Department of Agriculture
• Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council
• Kentucky Horticulture Council
• Kentucky Pork Producers Association 
• Kentucky Poultry Federation
• Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office
• Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association
• Kentucky Soybean Association
• Kentucky State University
• Kentucky Thoroughbred Association
• Kentucky Woodland Owners Association
• WAVE Ag Initiative

For more information on the Kentucky Farmland Transition Initiative Network, visit kyfarmlandtransition.com/about.

ABOUT THE KENTUCKY FARMLAND TRANSITION INITIATIVE

Kentucky Farm Bureau launched the Kentucky Farmland Transition Initiative to address the loss of farmland and the decline in the number of farmers across the state. This initiative is designed to help farm families navigate the complexities of farmland transition by providing access to valuable resources and educating them on their available options. 

ABOUT KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU

Kentucky Farm Bureau is the state’s largest general farm organization with more than 485,000 member families. For more news and updates from Kentucky Farm Bureau, visit KYFBNewsroom.com.

PHOTOS AND VIDEOS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD

Click here for photos and video that accompany this story, including headshots of interview subjects and Kentucky farmland.

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