Farmers are risk-taking entrepreneurs, inventors, and courageous individuals. There are approximately 2.2 million farms in the US, 97% of which are family owned and operated. Agriculture contributes $400 billion to the US economy annually and employs over 21 million workers. To feed a growing global population expected to reach 9.3 billion by 2050, food production will need to increase by 100%. Kentucky agriculture generates $6.5 billion for the state's economy annually, led by poultry, cattle, horses, soybeans, and corn. Farmers are producing more with fewer resources through advancements and more sustainable practices.

1. Farmers as
Entrepreneur’s
Courage
Risk takers
Inventors

2. Farmer Inventory
• 2.2 millions farms in US – 97% family owned and
operated – 2% of population
• Gross farm income nationally @ $400 billion
• 21 million workers produce, process, sell Ag products in
US – 15% of the work force
• $115 billion in US Ag exports annually
- 1 in 3 acres planted for export
- 31% of gross farm income due to exports
- 23% of raw Ag products are exported
• Farmers receive 16 cents of each food dollar
- in 1980 31 cents

3. Trend in Agriculture
• Produce more with less
• 1950 – 2.47 billion people in world
• 2000 – 6.06 billion people
• 2050 – 7.87-9.32 billion projection
• 1961 – 1.601 billion acres (World’s
farmland)
• 2001 – 1.670 billion acres (+69 million
acres)
• 1997 (42.2%) – 2007 (40.8%) – lost 22
million acres of farmland in U.S.
To feed the 2050 population we will have to produce 100% more food!!!

4. Kentucky Agriculture
$6.548 billion
#1 Poultry $1.279 billion
#2 Cattle $1.045 billion
#3 Horses $955 million
#4 Soybeans $954 million
#5 Corn $897 million
#6 Tobacco $448 million
#7 Dairy $256 million
#8 Wheat $235 million
#9 Hay $142 million
#10 Swine $133 million
#11 Nursery, Vegetables,
other crops $176 million
Agriculture is producing more with less and with the most efficient use of
resources ever in history. Greener and more sustainable with less of a carbon
footprint. The problem is no one knows.

5. Ag Economics
• 1. Risk management
- Crop insurance
- Contracting product
- Contract farming
• 2. Generational turnover
- average age farmer 62
- $5,000,000 limit at tax rate of 40%

6. Local Food
• Small farmers
• Dollars stay local
• Re-connects public to the
farm
• Farmer Markets 160 in 110
counties
• 27 USDA meat processing
plants up from 15 just 10
years ago
• New product development -
Beef
• Value added processing - milk

7. Greenhouse
2 acre greenhouse – lettuce 22 days 2 semi loads a day
(Ashland)
15 acre green house Lincoln Co
Vertical Greenhouse west Louisville (Foodport)
High tunnels
Year round production

8. Agri-tourism
• Field day to the farm
• Educational opportunity
for agriculture
• Wineries
• Bourbon trail - Breweries
• Livestock farms
• Trail rides
• Gardens and nurseries
• Orchards and mazes
• Road side markets
• Farm attractions

9. Dairy - 2200 -645
Produce 1 billion pounds of
milk
Process 2 billion pounds of milk
Increase cheese production

10. New Crop - Canola, Chia, Goldenrods,
Sumac, Hemp
• 3rd year of pilots
• 4,500 acres
• 24 processing companies
• Seed and fiber
• CBD oil
• Lotion, salve, feed, food
• Clothes, textiles, paper
• $2.4 M processing plant –
contract 58 farmers/ 19
counties 2,400 acres

11. (Manure to organic fertilizer)
• Price of oil
• Price of chemical fertilizer
• Value of manure
• $150,000 per year (4,000 head
barn)
• Poultry 175 tons year X $40 a ton =
$7,000
• 1/3 cost of chemical fertilizer
• Natures most perfect fertilizer

12. Grain elevator - ethanol
4000 farmers
78 cents a bushel

13. More with less
• Compared to 1950, farmers today produce:
• 176% more pork per sow with 44% fewer sows
• 81% more chicken per bird
• 333% more corn on 11% fewer acres
• 53% more eggs with 3% fewer hens
• 11 times more soybeans on 5 times fewer acres
• 69% more wheat on 6% fewer acres
• 63% more milk with 58% fewer cows
It’s amazing!!!

14. Remember…
• Today’s farmers are producing more, safer and higher
quality products on less land than ever in history.
• Today’s agricultural production is environmentally
friendly, green, totally sustainable with only a shadow of
the carbon footprint as compared with the past.
• Today livestock are the most comfortable and cared for
ever in history.
• The greatest thing is we are learning and improving
everyday. It just going to get better.

15. Today Farmer Care

16. Warren Beeler
• Governor’s Office of Agricultural
Policy
• kyagpolicy.com
• Office – 502-564-4627
• Cell – 270-991-3438
• Questions??