For Immediate Release
April 3, 1998
Contact: Melissa Forsythe or Mark Pfeiffer at (502) 564-2611

Governor Announces First in the Nation Commission on Family Farms

Lexington, Ky. - The economic future of tobacco and Kentucky’s family farms will be the primary issue for a new commission announced today by Governor Paul Patton.

Kentucky is the first state to create its own commission under the recommendations of the National Commission on Small Farms. The governor made the announcement today during a meeting of USDA Secretary Daniel R. Glickman and several hundred Kentucky farmers at Gentry’s Tobacco Warehouse in Lexington.

The goals of Kentucky’s commission will be closely modeled after those of the national panel’s with the immediate task of looking at the far reaching implications of the tobacco settlement. The governor told the USDA Secretary, "You must understand that without the federal tobacco program, small family farms and that rural way of life we cherish will not survive in Kentucky. That must be a priority consideration of any tobacco settlement."

"The commission will comprise a group of farmers from every corner of Kentucky representing all sectors of the agricultural economy. They will examine the issues confronting Kentucky’s family farms and make recommendations to me, the legislature and the Kentucky Congressional delegation on policies and programs for the future of Kentucky’s family farms" Governor Patton said.

The governor said he would be looking at a number of people for appointment to the commission and called on farmers and agricultural interests in the audience to recommend potential appointees.

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