By Jonathan Shell
Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner

Agriculture is vital and impacts every Kentuckian. I could not be more excited to get to work as your next commissioner of agriculture so I can fight every day for you and to ensure a bright future for Kentucky agriculture.

Farming is a way of life for many in Kentucky, including myself. My dad, Gary, and I own and operate Shell Farms and Greenhouses in Garrard County. Like many of you, we raise cattle. We also grow flowers, corn, and pumpkins. My wife, Brooke, and I live in Lancaster with our four children. Whether it’s picking pumpkins or feeding cattle, I love seeing my kids learn right on the farm.

I believe agriculture can be summed up in three words: food, faith, and family. All three of these are what we focus on every day. I know how important these things are to our farm families. I ran to be ag commissioner to fight for farm families and our Kentucky values. They are values you and I share that we learned on the farm and hold onto throughout life.

I am no stranger to state government. I was the youngest legislator in Kentucky in 2012 when I was elected to the state House of Representatives. Before the 2016 election, I was tapped by Republican leadership to spearhead candidate recruitment and helped Kentucky elect its first Republican House majority in nearly a century.

The following year, my colleagues elected me Kentucky’s first-ever Republican House majority floor leader. I developed and executed legislative strategies to help pass laws that support farmers and create jobs. I still have many strong relationships in the General Assembly and look forward to utilizing those to move Kentucky agriculture forward.

As I prepared for my first day in office, I met with former Ag Commissioner Dr. Ryan Quarles and Congressman James Comer. I appreciate their assistance as we worked to make sure our administration was ready to continue the momentum of Kentucky agriculture from day one.

I intend to follow in the footsteps of Commissioner Quarles and his predecessor, U.S. Congressman James Comer. Both men are true champions for Kentucky agriculture, and I look forward to building on their many achievements.

I want to ensure the Kentucky Department of Agriculture continues to be a resource our state’s farmers can count on as they feed their neighbors and the entire world . You can always get more information from KDA on our website at www.kyagr.com or by calling (502) 573-0282.

I am looking forward to meeting many of you as I begin this chapter as agriculture commissioner. My team and I will ensure that the important business of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture continues seamlessly.