House Bill 370, a reorganization measure for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, won a favorable recommendation from the House Agriculture Committee after lawmakers and departmental leaders described how the changes would support programs on farm safety, rural health and economic development.

Representative J.T. Payne, state representative for the 11th House District (Henderson County), summarized the bill as “a fairly simple reorganization measure that will allow for major impact within the Department of Agriculture.” Payne said the bill would place a Division of Farm Safety and Rural Health inside the Office of Agricultural Marketing and authorize implementation of an Office of Agricultural Economic Development to continue initiatives such as the department’s “Food Is Medicine,” rural mental-health and farm-safety programs.

Jonathan Schell, Commissioner of Agriculture, told the committee the reorganization is intended to improve departmental efficiency and focus resources on shows and fairs, youth programs and farm-safety initiatives. Schell said the reorganization itself does not change appropriations: “That doesn’t move around the monies. That’s what you all will do next year during the budget process,” he told Representative Watkins when asked if new funding was included.

Committee members asked how the reorganization would affect livestock shows and fairs, which have seen declining participation. Schell described steps the department is taking to grow those programs, including a planned “Livestock Classic” in Casey County framed as a larger showcase for youth participants and 4-H/FFA activities.

The committee moved the bill with Representative Pollock making the motion and Representative Bivens seconding. The committee recorded the measure as passing with favorable expression and indicated it would likely receive the same on the House floor.