Agriculture

An audit of Richie Farmer's two terms as Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner has revealed a toxic culture of entitlement and an extravagant misuse of taxpayers dollars, state employees and time.Current Agriculture Commissioner James Comer requested the audit earlier this year. State Auditor Adam Edelen released his final report today, showing more than a dozen infractions by Farmer and a consistent abuse of state law.

Officials at Western Kentucky University say the opening of a new greenhouse/headhouse facility on the WKU farm will add to a strong partnership between the University and the Agricultural Research Service. The new facility will conduct research on several topics, including ways to reduce odors from livestock production.

Some farmers and political leaders in our region are speaking out against new US Labor Department rules regarding child workers on farms. Many in the agriculture industry say the proposed changes would change longstanding traditions, but the government says the rules don’t apply to children working on farms owned by their parents.