Committee backs reorganization bill to fold farm safety, rural health and ag economic development into department structure

House Bill 370, a reorganization measure intended to consolidate and prioritize farm safety, rural health and agricultural economic development inside the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, passed the House Agriculture Committee with a favorable recommendation.

Representative J.T. Payne, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the measure “allows the Division of Farm Safety and Rural Health within the Office of Ag Marketing” and “allows for the implementation of the office of ag economic development.” Payne said the change is intended to improve departmental efficiency and sustain programs such as the department’s Food Is Medicine campaign, farmer mental-health and farm-safety initiatives.

Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Schell and Brandon Reed, executive director of the Office of Agricultural Policy at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, joined sponsors at the table. Schell told members the department aims to concentrate resources on shows and fairs, 4-H and FFA participation and youth livestock programs; he also described efforts to treat youth development as a priority within livestock programming rather than solely focusing on animals.

Schell highlighted recent national attention to Kentucky programs: he said USDA Secretary Rollins visited Kentucky within 24 hours of confirmation and expressed interest in elevating Kentucky’s farm-safety and “Raising Hope” initiatives to a national level. Schell tied the changes in the bill to broader economic-development goals, urging committee members to cultivate relationships with department leadership.

Representative Bivens and others asked whether the bill creates new funding; Schell replied the reorganization alters structure and emphasis but does not itself move monies—budget decisions would occur in the next budget process. Representative McPherson and other members praised the department’s outreach and encouraged continued collaboration.

Representative Pollock moved the bill; Representative Bivens seconded. Chair Dossett announced House Bill 370 “has passed, and receives with favorable expression, and we believe it will do so on the House floor.”

The committee record shows discussion of multiple department programs by name, including Food Is Medicine, Raising Hope, farm safety, and a planned Livestock Classic in Casey County to promote youth livestock participation. The transcript does not attach a budget number to the reorganization or specify statutory sections being amended in the committee discussion.

Committee members were urged to engage with Commissioner Schell and Director Reed to help implement the department’s initiatives and to support the reorganization through the legislative and budget processes.