(Clinton, Ky. February 6, 2014) - Below is the press release from Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer about a statewide conference on farming. Why is this important to Kentucky politics and not just another meeting by Frankfort state workers?

These are the main reasons that this statement should be read very carefully in light of its topic, purpose, timing, and actors.

Topic: Farming and rural communities

Comer is hands down the best commissioner of agriculture in the past 20 years. He has visited all 120 counties twice now. He is working to find new markets for the farmers of Kentucky. This conference will establish him as the major voice of a 21st Century Kentucky. It will project him forward as the only candidate that can speak to the problems of rural small town Main Streets in Kentucky.

Purpose: Seek the moral high ground of rural Kentucky

Comer will use this conference as the jumping off point for a statewide tour on the issue of seeking visions from important leaders in every county of Kentucky. In affect, this will be a gathering of supporters for his bid to become governor. This conference will frame him as the “Reformer” of modern day Kentucky state politics.

Timing: Starting point and time for full campaign dynamics

October is a very good month to start what seems on the surface as a nonpartisan conference to address major issues facing Kentucky. Hidden deep within this conference is the plan to mark the starting point in time for a full strategic media and issues campaign across Kentucky. This media force will show how Comer is the only leading candidate for Governor who has a vision for a modern 21st Century Kentucky that links urban and rural areas into a new state of opportunity.

Actors: Political power, money and geography

Governor Brereton Jones and his wife and the mayor of Lexington, Ky. stack up to the core of a new power base in Central Kentucky. These actors are about big money, serious horse farms, and the potential new economic power of a reborn urban area around Lexington.

Horse barns in Woodford, Scott, and Fayette Counties start at a million dollars each. Governor Beshear and his wife are the current darlings of the horse set. However, come 2015 and they out of office. The smart horse money is now seeking a sure bet for governor to back. They are looking hard at Comer to fill that role.

Lexington Mayor Jim Gray put a new face of good economic reform on the city. If he wins a second term, he will establish a new urban core power house that will link Lexington into the outer regions of Louisville, Kentucky. This could become a new type of political dynamic for geo-political government in a 21st Century Kentucky.

If he plays his cards right, Comer is the only candidate that can take full advantage of all of these powerful allies.

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COMMISSIONER COMER, FORMER GOV. AND FIRST LADY JONES
ANNOUNCE NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE FUTURE OF FARMING

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Experts from throughout the nation will meet in Lexington in October for the first nationwide conference focused on farming, land use, and food policy. Agriculture Commissioner James Comer joined former Gov. and First Lady Brereton and Libby Jones; officials of American Farmland Trust; and Lexington Mayor Jim Gray to announce the national event in a news conference today in the Kentucky Capitol.
The Farmland, Food and Livable Community Conference is scheduled for Oct. 20-22 at the Hilton Lexington Downtown.
"We are thrilled that American Farmland Trust has chosen Kentucky as the site of this national conference," Commissioner Comer said. "The leaders and experts at this conference will take on some of the defining issues of the 21st century - food production, food safety, hunger, and balancing the need to protect the environment with the need to provide a safe, abundant, and affordable food supply to a growing global population. As a state with a rich agricultural heritage and a diverse agriculture industry, Kentucky will lead the way in meeting these challenges."
"This is the first time a national conference will bring together these diverse interests to comprehensively address the 21st century challenges of agriculture," said Andrew McElwaine, president and CEO of AFT. "The conference will encourage greater understanding and collaboration to support agricultural viability and vibrant community food systems."
"AFT began its relationship with state government in Kentucky during the Jones administration. They provided excellent technical assistance and valuable support, which led to the establishment of several public and private farmland protection entities. Since then, these groups have permanently protected more than 70,000 acres across the Commonwealth," said Libby Jones, a member of the AFT Board. "We are very excited the Trust is returning to Kentucky to lead this important conference, where we can all share our experiences, learn from each other, and be able to make even greater progress in the future."
The conference programs will address four principal themes:
* Ensuring high quality farmland is available and affordable for agriculture;
* Supporting agricultural viability and a fair and just food system;
* Creating opportunities for the next generation of farmers; and
* Addressing emerging issues for women in agriculture.
A Kentucky Proud opening reception will give participants a chance to network and experience local fare from local farms, food enterprises and distilleries. Other conference highlights include:
* Farm tour to showcase Fayette County's world-renowned farms in its Rural Services Area and demonstrate the value of its land use planning and farmland protection efforts.
* Mobile workshops to give participants a taste of urban agriculture and innovative local food enterprises in Louisville and Lexington, highlighting the value of these cities' proactive plans and policies.
* Farmer-Chef Connection banquet to celebrate the farmers who have permanently protected their farmland and showcase the region's seasonal bounty from local producers.
For more information on the conference, visit: http://www.farmland.org. Information on conference sponsorships is available by contacting Susan Sink, vice president of development and external affairs, AFT, at (202) 378-1206 or ssink@farmland.org.
The American Farmland Trust is the nation's leading conservation organization dedicated to protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices and keeping farmers on the land.