Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
From giant pumpkins to industrial hemp and donut hamburgers, when the Kentucky State Fair opens next week eyes focus on a wide variety of topics from the traditional to things some may find controversial or even downright bizarre.
But each topic is finding itself as a key aspect of an industry important to the Commonwealth's economy.
Commissioner Quarles admits he was a bit nervous with excitement this time last year as he approached his first State Fair as Ag Commissioner. He'd spent a lifetime competing and taking part in the expo described by some as the "Super Bowl for farm kids." Commissioner Quarles, a farm kid himself, now leads the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and is involved in the national agriculture conversation having offered insight advising the Donald Trump campaign last summer.
His favorite part of last year's Kentucky State Fair was handing out awards to young people at dozens of competitions.
There are also somewhat controversial topics on display. Again, this year there will be a focus on the growing market of industrial hemp. Commissioner Quarles has tripled the number of approved acres farming industrial hemp while medical marijuana is not in the discussion.
"One of the reasons why industrial hemp is so successful in this state is because we haven't commingled it with other issues and so, in 2017, we're focused entirely on industrial hemp," said Quarles.
He added that the KDA has yet to take an official position on medical marijuana.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Traditions, safety and hemp in store for Kentucky State Fair | WHAS11.com
Author: Chris Williams
Contact: Contact Us | WHAS11.com
Photo Credit: Adobe
Website: Kentuckiana’s source for Local News, Weather, Traffic, Sports and more | Louisville, KY | WHAS11.com
But each topic is finding itself as a key aspect of an industry important to the Commonwealth's economy.
Commissioner Quarles admits he was a bit nervous with excitement this time last year as he approached his first State Fair as Ag Commissioner. He'd spent a lifetime competing and taking part in the expo described by some as the "Super Bowl for farm kids." Commissioner Quarles, a farm kid himself, now leads the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and is involved in the national agriculture conversation having offered insight advising the Donald Trump campaign last summer.
His favorite part of last year's Kentucky State Fair was handing out awards to young people at dozens of competitions.
There are also somewhat controversial topics on display. Again, this year there will be a focus on the growing market of industrial hemp. Commissioner Quarles has tripled the number of approved acres farming industrial hemp while medical marijuana is not in the discussion.
"One of the reasons why industrial hemp is so successful in this state is because we haven't commingled it with other issues and so, in 2017, we're focused entirely on industrial hemp," said Quarles.
He added that the KDA has yet to take an official position on medical marijuana.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Traditions, safety and hemp in store for Kentucky State Fair | WHAS11.com
Author: Chris Williams
Contact: Contact Us | WHAS11.com
Photo Credit: Adobe
Website: Kentuckiana’s source for Local News, Weather, Traffic, Sports and more | Louisville, KY | WHAS11.com
