(FRANKFORT, Ky.)– Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell recently met with federal health and agriculture leaders in Washington, D.C., to discuss the state’s innovative approach to connecting farming and public health through the “Food is Medicine” initiative.
During his visit to the nation’s capital, Shell had the opportunity to speak with U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been championing the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement. The meeting was arranged by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, who invited Shell to share how Kentucky’s programs could serve as a national model.
“It was a great honor and privilege to have the opportunity to meet with secretaries Rollins and Kennedy,” Shell said. “Secretary Kennedy and I had a brief conversation about Food is Medicine and advancing the initiative to benefit farmers and public health in Kentucky and nationwide.”
Kentucky’s Health-Focused Agriculture Vision
Shell presented Kentucky’s “Make Kentucky Healthy Again” vision, which centers on the Food is Medicine Initiative—a partnership between the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) and the Kentucky Hospital Association. The program aims to improve health outcomes by expanding access to fresh, locally grown, nutritious food throughout the Commonwealth.
The commissioner’s trip coincided with KDA’s Kentucky Proud program participation in the inaugural Great American Farmers’ Market on the National Mall, directly across from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Whitten Building.
National Farmers’ Market Showcases Kentucky
Secretary Rollins invited all 50 states to participate in the week-long event celebrating National Farmers’ Market Week, though only 26 states were ultimately able to participate. Kentucky Proud was one of just three state marketing brands represented at the event.
“We had several thousand visitors to the Kentucky Proud booth, all of which were given the opportunity to register to win a small basket full of Kentucky Proud items while we educated them about Kentucky agriculture,” said Jay Hall, executive director of KDA’s Office of Agricultural Marketing. “We wanted to make sure people understood the impact agriculture has on the economy of our state.”
The Kentucky delegation set up a 10-foot by 20-foot tent alongside two Kentucky Proud vendors: Whisky Ridge Farm from Calloway County, featuring small-batch jams, jellies, and pickled products, and Bluegrass Kettle Masters from Madison County, selling kettle-cooked popcorn that was also featured at the Kentucky Derby.
Both vendors reported sales that exceeded their expectations, with concerns about potentially selling out before the event’s conclusion.
Building Connections in the Capital
The event provided unexpected opportunities for Kentucky connections, as Hall noted many Kentuckians vacationing in Washington stopped by the booth and expressed appreciation for the state’s participation. With Congress in recess, the Kentucky delegation’s staff members were invited to visit, and many took advantage of the opportunity.
The Great American Farmers’ Market, which ran through August 8, launched with a Sunday night concert by country music duo Big & Rich. Each day featured different themes, including “MAHA Monday,” when Secretary Kennedy joined Secretary Rollins for a cooking demonstration using market ingredients before touring the various vendor booths.
Looking Toward Future Opportunities
Secretary Rollins emphasized the market’s significance, stating it provided an opportunity to “stand shoulder to shoulder with today’s producers.” She highlighted agriculture’s foundational role in American history, noting that “America was founded by farmers – ordinary citizens who tilled the land, fed their families and neighbors, and built a nation rooted in freedom and self-reliance.”
The market featured over 50 daily vendor booths from across the country, showcasing what Rollins called “the strength and boundless spirit of American agriculture.”
Hall expressed optimism about future participation, saying, “It was a great experience for Kentucky Proud, especially since not a lot of other states participated. My hope is they do it again next year, and we’ll be given more time to plan a bigger show. Given the tremendous success of the vendors’ sales, I would anticipate it’ll be a highly sought-after event and all 50 states will participate next year.”
PHOTO: Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, back left, meets with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins this week at the U.S. Department of Agriculture headquarters in Washington, D.C. Also attending the meeting were, front from left: Mark Bowling, Commissioner Shell’s chief of staff; Jeremy Ferguson, the commissioner’s executive assistant; and Jay Hall, executive director of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Office of Agricultural Marketing.