Lawrence County Tops the List in Kentucky Ag Tags
According to Commissioner Quarles, Lawrence County earned the top spot for the highest increase in donations last year and praised the remarkable achievement that highlights the strong community support and generosity in Lawrence County for agricultural.
During the February meeting in Lexington, representatives from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation and the Kentucky FFA Foundation, along with Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Ryan Quarles, joined Kentucky County Clerks to give an engaging presentation about the Ag Tag Program.
Dr. Quarles praised the county clerks for their integral role in the success of the Ag Tag program, stating, “Without our county clerks, the Ag Tag program wouldn’t be as successful as it is. For years, people renewing their farm license plates have been given the opportunity to donate to the Ag Tag fund. Millions have been donated during that time and our youth are the ones benefiting.”
Here’s how the Ag Tag Program works: When owners review their farm license plates, known as “ag tags,” which feature the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Kentucky Proud logo, alongside the 4-H and FFA emblems, they are given the chance to make a $10 donation. This money is then divided equally among Kentucky 4-H, Kentucky FFA, and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) to support the agricultural youth and other organizations and programs benefiting Kentucky’s farming families.
The impact of the Ag Tag program has been remarkable, with donations reaching $606,223.11 last year alone. From this total, each group received $202,074.37, which they used to invest back into their respective communities for youth development and promotional programs.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) utilizes its share of the Ag Tag funds for various programs, including the Ag Athlete of the Year scholarships, the Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award, Kentucky Women in Agriculture, and Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom.
Half of the 4-H and FFA donations are returned to local councils and chapters, empowering leaders in those contributing communities to cover the costs of 4-H and FFA camps, as well as other leadership programs for youth. County 4-H councils have previously utilized Ag Tag dollars to provide 4-H camp scholarships and support educational experiences that enable local 4-H youth to thrive as leaders and engaged citizens. FFA chapters have also directed the funds to meet the greatest needs in their community, such as providing FFA jackets for students in need or assisting with travel costs to leadership events.
Overall, the Ag Tag Program serves as a vital initiative that not only supports Kentucky’s agricultural youth but also strengthens the bond between communities and farming families.
