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ONE-ON-ONE - August 2004
by Ed G. Lane
'All in All, I Look at Things on a Positive Basis'
The Commonwealth's Commissioner of Agriculture talks about the role the department plays in the everyday lives of Kentuckians
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Richie Farmer
Richie Farmer was sworn in as the Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture on January 5, 2004.
Prior to his election, Farmer worked as an investment advisor in his native Clay County.
Farmer is a 1992 graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, earning a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management.
He was also a standout player for the UK basketball Wildcats under Coach Rick Pitino.
Over the years, Farmer has been involved in numerous charitable efforts and has been active in organizations as the Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Children’s Miracle Network, American Cancer Society, and Kicks for Kids.
Farmer and his wife, Rebecca, have three young sons. |
Ed Lane: How did you decide to run for Commissioner of Agriculture?
Richie Farmer: Politics and being involved in politics – that’s the one thing I said I would never do. My dad came to me and said, “Son, I know the way you feel about politics. You think it’s dirty and nasty and you always swore that you’d never get involved. But,” he said, “if everybody that was a good person felt the way that you do about politics, who would be left to run our state? The greatest gift that you could ever give your boys would be to get involved, do something positive for the people of this state, and to make this a better place for your boys to live and grow up.” “Why do you do me this way?” was kind of my response to him, but he really got me to thinking about running and he made a good point.
EL: Did your dad bring up running before you’d been approached by political leaders?
RF: I don’t know exactly who first asked me about getting involved in politics. On the local level down in Clay County, I was mentioned for every office that was up for election, even though I never at anytime said that I was running. It just kind of got to be the buzz that I was “thinking about running.” Senator Robert Stivers, (R-25th District) and Ellen Williams (former executive director of the Republican Party who now serves on the Public Service Commission) asked me if I would be interested in running for a statewide office. That kind of got the ball rolling. Daddy was always an inspiration in my life; he’s my hero and we’re still very close today. I take what he says very seriously even though sometimes I think he feels like I don’t listen to him enough.
EL: It has been eight months since your election in November. What has been the major change in your life since taking office?
RF: There’ve been many. The biggest change has been relocating the family. We were living in Manchester. The oldest son will be in second grade, and my middle son was pre-school and will be a kindergartner this year. The transition for the family has been significant.
Taking over a department with 300 employees and all the various responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture has been a major change as well. The learning curve has been very steep and you are dealing with a lot of people with different attitudes and personalities. It’s been challenging and interesting.
EL: There have been rumors that you may resign as commissioner and move back home with your family.
RF: I have no idea how that got started, but I can tell you that is absolutely not true. I was elected by the people, to serve the people of this state, and to do positive things. The voters came out and showed overwhelming support for me in the election. I want to say thanks to all those folks that supported me.
I’m here to serve them. Quit is not a word in my vocabulary. A lot of people know me from the basketball court and remember when Kentucky went on probation, the $1,000 popped out of the package, and everything started going downhill at the University of Kentucky. The easiest thing would have been to quit. UK went through some tough times, but it made the program’s character stronger. UK has won two national championships since then. Our team showed what you could accomplish if we had a group of people that were willing to work together to achieve a common goal.
EL: How are your plans to move to Frankfort progressing?
RF: My wife and I didn’t take for granted that we were going to win the election. So, until the election was over and the results were in, we weren’t trying to buy a house in Frankfort. Once elected, I wanted to let the kids finish out the school year. They got out of school in May. Since then we’ve been house hunting. We’re supposed to close on our new Frankfort home in August.
EL: For over 30 years, the Democratic Party has had control of state government. Has it been difficult for you to recruit personnel for the Agriculture Department?
RF: That’s an obvious yes. When one party controls state government for a long period, people settle in and think that’s the way it should be. The message I’m sending is that I’m trying to do positive things for the people of this state. I’m trying to recruit people that will work with me and share that common vision of doing the right thing.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) touches every single family, every single day. I don’t know if people understand all the regulatory involvement that KDA has – for food quality, scales and scanners, gas pumps, pesticides, animal health, marketing, amusement parks, etc. There are so many people that make up agriculture. We’re trying to get everybody working together to achieve that common goal of doing good for the people.
EL: Was Billy Ray Smith, the previous commissioner, helpful to you in the transition?
RF: He was very cooperative during the transition, providing documentation and everything that we needed. But again, KDA had been operated a certain way for 30-some years. I think it’s human nature for people to fear change.
EL: What have been major issues in agriculture that have occurred early on during your term as commissioner?
RF: During my first months as commissioner, Kentucky has had several major episodes in agriculture. Sudden Oak Death originated in a California nursery. This disease affects oak trees and anybody that knows anything about the forest industry knows Kentucky has a lot of oak trees. Deciduous hardwood is our primary forest and the economic impact in Kentucky of this disease could be significant and overwhelming. We worked hard to keep this outbreak out of Kentucky.
Another possible threat was an outbreak of Vesicular Stomatitis (V.S.). V.S. is a virus that affects all livestock. In animals other than equine, for instance beef or goats, V.S. would appear to be foot and mouth disease. If V.S. got into Kentucky livestock, just the panic and the amount of money that farmers would have to invest in testing (to make sure that it was not foot and mouth disease) would be overwhelming. The V.S. outbreak originated down in West Texas. Robert Stout, DVM, of the Office of State Veterinarian, did a phenomenal job of working with the folks in Texas and quarantining the area where the disease originated. The Arabian show at the Kentucky Horse Park was coming in about two weeks. KDA had to act fast. The main focus was to keep V.S. out of the state by making restrictions on animals entering Kentucky more stringent, but yet maintaining some flexibility so people could still come to the horse shows with confidence. KDA has worked with commodity groups and the Thoroughbred Association, as well as the other equine and livestock associations.
Kentucky is the home of a billion dollar a year beef industry. Our state is the largest beef producer east of the Mississippi. Kentucky is the second-largest goat producer in the U.S. The Thoroughbred export market is more than a billion dollar a year industry. So, the ramifications of a disease like V.S. are significant. Kentucky hosts the North American Livestock show in Louisville every year, which generates a significant amount of income. KDA based its decisions on good sound science, logic, and the history of the disease. KDA’s goal was to ensure that we would keep V.S. out of Kentucky and yet work closely with exhibitors to make sure that they were able to carry on with their shows.
Another major event was the outbreak of B.S.E. (Mad Cow Disease) in Washington state. KDA has had numerous meetings with the Cattleman’s Association and the Kentucky Beef Network. Kentucky is very well situated to lead the national effort in the animal I.D. program that will soon be mandated by the USDA. Kentucky has been tagging cattle and livestock since 2000. The Kentucky Ag-Development Board has set aside two million dollars for handling facilities and technology updates (on a cost share basis) for the I.D. program. Kentucky will be ready to implement this as soon as the animal I.D. program is set by the USDA.
EL: The cattle industry is a major component of Kentucky’s agriculture production. Do you have a good relationship with the Kentucky Cattleman’s Association (KCA)?
RF: Absolutely. I work with Dave Maples (executive vice president of KCA). Dave is here regularly – I almost feel like he is an employee. In addition to the KCA, there’s a wide, diverse group of producers that make up agriculture. I have been trying to preach to them and to get them to buy into the idea of working together, that we all have to be on the same page. Although each group has different interests, there’s a lot of things that are common amongst all of us. Whether we like it or not, all producer groups are viewed collectively as agriculture. That’s one of the things that I learned from basketball is that anytime you get a group of people working together to achieve a common goal, it’s amazing what they can do. If all groups are willing to work together for the betterment of agriculture in the state of Kentucky then it’s going to be amazing what we’ll be able to accomplish.
EL: I understand that the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) has revised its marketing plan for Kentucky products. Could you explain the changes in that program?
RF: Before I was elected, KDA started a marketing program called “Kentucky Fresh – Kentucky Proud.” Our staff met with a Louisville marketing group and discussed how we could make this promotion better. We changed the promotion to “Kentucky Proud,” because we wanted to be able to market all of Kentucky’s agricultural products. With “Kentucky Proud,” we felt the “freshness” of Kentucky grown produce was implied. On the other hand, it’s hard to have a “Kentucky Fresh” horse or bourbon because those things, especially the bourbon, are aged.
The “Kentucky Proud” logo was modified slightly and made more colorful and eye-catching. When people walk into a grocery store they should be able to easily distinguish what is a Kentucky product. A lot of our market research indicates people prefer to buy Kentucky products. Even if they’re a little more expensive, they prefer them because they feel like they are safe, fresh, and high-quality.
EL: Do you think that major bourbon brands may participate in the marketing program?
RF: There’s definitely a chance for that. KDA is still in the beginning stages of this program, but that is one of our goals. This year, the Kentucky Derby featured several Kentucky products – cheeses, pork products and fresh mint. It’s KDA’s goal to have Kentucky products exclusively served at the Kentucky Derby. We definitely want to make sure that if it’s a Kentucky product, it has the “Kentucky Proud” logo on it.
EL: Kentucky is now the country’s second-largest producer of goats. What has caused the growth of this industry?
RF: One of the things that people don’t realize is that you can put beef cattle and goats in the same pasture. They don’t compete for the same food. And Kentucky has a lot of pastureland. What we’re trying to do right now is to create more markets for goat products. Producers tell me they can produce more if market demand increases. KDA is in the process of exploring markets to see what the potential is to create more demand.
EL: The equine industry is Kentucky’s signature business and the state’s largest export product. How do you assess the health of this industry?
RF: One of the things that I have talked about since becoming commissioner is that we need to make sure we have the equine industry working hand-in-hand with the Department of Agriculture. Kentucky is recognized as the global leader in the Thoroughbred industry. It’s tough to be recognized as the nation’s leader in anything, but to be recognized as No. 1 in the world is amazing. The industry is much more than the Thoroughbred industry and every equine group is important to Kentucky.
EL: What about gaming at racetracks? That would, of course, bring in additional revenue for the racetrack owners, breeders, trainers, purses, etc. Do you have any thoughts on that?
RF: That’s not for me to decide. The equine industry should set forth a plan as to what will be done with the gaming revenue that it generates. Let the people vote on whether or not they want to do it.
EL: How closely will the KDA be working with tourism to create agri-tourism ventures to attract people to Kentucky?
RF: Very closely. The KDA has an office of agri-tourism and we have regular meetings with the tourism department. There’s money available to promote agri-tourism. Kentucky has a lot of agricultural venues that people would love to see – if they only knew about it. Promotion has to be our focus.
EL: Talon Winery and Vineyards in Fayette County (Lexington) will have its grand opening this fall. This is the first winery in Fayette County since prohibition. Talon joins several other new vineyards in Kentucky. What is the outlook for this industry in Kentucky?
RF: It’s great. At one time, Kentucky was one of the leading producers of grapes in the country. There are some hurdles to overcome because Kentucky’s got a lot of dry counties. Wine production could be an opportunity for farmers as a diversification effort away from tobacco.
EL: The state recently opened an ethanol plant in Hopkinsville. This facility uses corn grown in Kentucky. Are other value-added businesses in our state’s future?
RF: The Hopkinsville plant is a very impressive facility. It will provide a market for corn growers from 30 surrounding counties. Fuel – the end product – is environmentally friendly and decreases America’s dependency on foreign sources for petroleum. One of KDA’s goals is to add value to other Kentucky commodities and create more income for Kentuckians.
EL: What about farmer’s markets in Kentucky?
RF: KDA created a farmer’s market task force to look at models from South Carolina that have been successful. We’re not only looking at local farmer’s markets but also regional facilities that may serve a 10-county area. One of my stipulations is to make sure the farmer’s markets are supporting Kentucky farmers and marketing what our farmers and producers are growing.
EL: The General Assembly has yet to pass a budget for this fiscal year (July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005). How difficult has it been for you to operate KDA without a budget?
RF: It’s been very frustrating. The amount of cuts KDA has taken are significant – a two and a half percent cut across the board, $900,000 in restricted funds and a reorganization of the department that saved about $350,000. I’m sure all the department heads will tell you that’s been one of the toughest things we’ve had to address because of the uncertainty of not knowing how much you have and what you’re going to have in the future.
EL: How would you describe your working relationship with Governor Ernie Fletcher?
RF: Wonderful. The governor and I get along very well. We talk on a regular basis. He knows that I’m there to support him in any way that I can and he has told me that anything he can do to help support KDA that he’s there for me. Our relationship is outstanding.
EL: Does KDA have a legislative liaison that works with the General Assembly and helps initiate new legislation?
RF: Mark Farrow, my chief of staff, served in the previous administration and also in the legislature for 16 years. He knows the process.
EL: Knowing what you know today, would your have run for office last year?
RF: That’s a good question. So far, it has been a good experience. Hindsight is 20-20. All in all, I look at things on a positive basis. We’re here, and we’re working hard, and we’re trying to do what we said we would do. I’m here to represent the people. s
Ed G. Lane is chief executive of Lane Consultants Inc. and publisher
of The Lane Report.
edlane@lanereport.com
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