KY Ag Commissioner Ryan Quarles (2016-2023)

It has been an opportunity of a lifetime serving as Commissioner of Agriculture for the past eight years. I congratulate Jonathan Shell as he officially takes over to lead @KentuckyAg. I wish him only the best as he continues to serve Kentucky agriculture. @KyAgCommish

It has been my absolute pleasure to serve as Kentucky’s Agriculture Commissioner for these past eight years. As I finish my last days in office, I want to thank you for trusting me to serve you in this capacity as, together, we planned for agriculture’s future, while at the same time honored its past. My closing thoughts: bit.ly/48fMKy4

May the meaning of Christmas fill your homes and hearts as we celebrate His gift. The Quarles’ family wishes you and yours a very merry Christmas!

Mexico and Canada import $300 million of agricultural exports from Kentucky growers and producers every year.

The Tri-National Agricultural Accord represents a longstanding commitment among the senior state and provincial agricultural officials of Canada, the United States, and Mexico to work together collaboratively on agricultural trade and development issues.

@kentuckyag has worked to bring fresh Kentucky Proud products to Kentucky’s school systems through the Farm to School Program enabling students to grow into strong, healthy young men and women who understand the importance of buying local while helping farmers find new markets.

It's the final weekend before Christmas! Don't forget to make Kentucky Proud a part of the holiday by gifting and enjoying fresh foods, gifts, and more grown and made in Kentucky by Kentuckians. 🎥: youtu.be/gNAMYlpLZLE?si…

In 2019, we worked to pass SB 153 modernizing the language and content of the grain law statute and regulation making it simpler for our farmers. Our updates made it conform to current industry standards and eased farmer operations by moving their licensing applications online.

@kentuckyag @kystatefair We also helped develop the annual Championship Drive in 2018 where the top 5 finishers of each livestock division showed off their animals, and we worked hard to keep the livestock portion of the @kystatefair open during COVID.

@kentuckyag employees played a huge part in developing AgLand, more than an acre of agriculture exhibits highlighting Kentucky’s rural heritage, including the future of farming and agribusiness through 4-H and FFA exhibits at the @kystatefair.

Reflecting on eight years. I used my role to fight for transparency and fairness for our agricultural producers and consumers. In 2019, we worked to help pass the Meat Labeling law that deems a food misbranded if it is labeled as meat but contains cultured animal tissue.

@KentuckyAg teamed up with universities, and @CHFSKy to launch Raising Hope. With funds appropriated through the General Assembly and a USDA grant, Raising Hope works with farmers and their families to promote their entire well-being – mental and physical. raisinghopeky.com

@kentuckyag We also created a whole new position series for our Agricultural Regulatory Specialist that included a pay increase and a career ladder for employees, helping with recruitment and retention.

For the first time in 50 years, all @kentuckyag staff are located on one campus increasing connectivity and efficiency. During my time here, we’ve focused on fiscal responsibility. We implemented six budget cuts in total, all while maintaining services and our assigned duties.

I started the Kentucky Hunger Initiative, a first-of-its-kind effort in Kentucky to bring together farmers, charitable organizations, faith groups, community leaders, and government entities to reduce hunger. Since its inception, more than $36 million has been raised to reduce food insecurity. I thank all who made that possible.

Two years ago I visited the site of the UK Research and Education Center which, at the time, was nearly leveled as a result of the devastating tornadoes to hit the area. Today, the farm has rebuilt 10 out of the planned 20 new structures. Astounding progress. morningagclips.com/uk-research-an…

During my two term administration, developing markets for Kentucky farm families has taken me across the ocean as I participated in trade missions helping to find new markets. My goal was to increase that for the betterment of farmers and the state. Top exports include: • Horses (other livestock) - $789.3 million. • Soybeans - $766.7 million. • Corn - $303.3 million. • Tobacco - $257.6 million. • Feeds and other feed grains - $229 million.

Reflecting on eight years: During my tenure, I served as president for both the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture and @NASDAnews. I was the first Kentuckian in 20 years to serve in that post, and it helped put Kentucky in the national spotlight.

Looking back on the work of the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation, which is focused on new and beginning farmers, has now reached more than $100 million in assets strengthening access to capital for our farm community.

Memories of Kentucky Agricultural Development Board. It’s been an honor to work with countless individuals committed to bettering agriculture. Thank you all!

Attending my final Kentucky Agricultural Development Board meeting as chairman this morning. I’m appreciative of the work this group has done to support the future of Kentucky agriculture.