Kentucky agriculture leaders joined Commissioner Jonathan Shell, USDA Under Secretary Luke Lindberg, and USDA Under Secretary Richard Fordyce for a discussion on the opportunities and challenges facing Kentucky farmers and the future of agriculture in the Commonwealth.

Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell has issued a statement regarding the detection of New World Screwworm in the United States. At this time, there have been no cases detected in Kentucky. Current detections are limited to Texas and New Mexico.

Just wrapped up a virtual meeting with ~50 of our outstanding Texas cattle ranchers and @TAHC. I also have been in contact with @GregAbbott_TX, @LtGovTX, and the @Burrows4TX team. Our food supply is 100% safe. This potential New World Screworm detection is being fully contained and is not a harm to the American food supply or consumer safety. The NWS specimen has arrived at the airport in Ames, IA and is being transferred to National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL). We will update as soon as we have confirmed test results. Unfortunately, the open-border policies of the last administration and the resulting illicit cattle movement throughout Mexico have caused NWS to potentially reach our side of the border. BUT, there is no one better than Texas and our live stock producers to have in this fight. All models showed NWS coming to the U.S. last summer/early fall — so a big thank you to our partners across the industry and local, state and the entire Trump administration for unprecedented action that gave us almost an extra year to prepare for this moment. Together with so many partners, including the Texas Animal Health Commission, Texas A&M AgriLife, Texas Farm Bureau, Texas Cattle Feeders and Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, we will effectively combat, contain and eventually eradicate this pest. Additional @USDA personnel have arrived in South Texas to support our partners on the ground. The National Veterinary Stockpile is ready to deploy and on its way. I now call on our producers to be vigilant and watchful. The most effective thing to do right now is to put eyes on all live stock. If you see anything suspicious, contact your state animal health official (linked on the screwworm.gov website). Texas cattle and live stock producers are the backbone of our state and our nation. We will meet this challenge head-on. Go to SCREWWORM.GOV for daily updates.

Today we honor the brave men and women who gave everything for our freedom. We are grateful for their sacrifice and should be committed to living in a way worthy of it. Thank you for keeping us free.

📢 DEADLINE EXTENDED! Calling all youth livestock exhibitors near Washington, D.C! Showcase your animals at the 250th anniversary celebration of our nation at this year’s Great American State Fair. You’ll be a part of this historical event and engage directly with thousands of fairgoers from 10:00 AM–11:30 AM each day. 🗓️ June 25 – July 10 📍 Washington, D.C. on the National Mall 🚨 Spots are filling up! Apply by Monday, May 25 2026, to secure your place: airtable.com/appIwZN8eg5Fn9h…

I’m here to tell you, @barrforsenate is going to make one heck of a Senator for our Commonwealth. Looking forward to fighting for our farm families with him. Congratulations to my Congressman and friend. Let’s goooo!

Another award 🥇 winning day at the annual ACLI Capital Challenge 5K🏃‍♂️ charity race for the @JuniorAch. Proud of the “Oversight Elite” -my hand selected, young and fast teammates.

We need Comer as Governor of Kentucky. We need his leadership, his tenacity, his ideas, he’s ability to see and fix future problems and work with our super majorities to strengthen the path they’ve put us on. There is no other choice! Comer for Governor 2027!

Thank you @POTUS Trump and Administrator Zeldin for announcing the BEST Renewable Volumes Obligated (RVOs) for our farmers in the history of the Renewable Fuel Standard!!!! 🌽🚜🌾⛽️ Unlike Biden, President Trump will not ignore an opportunity to support a domestic market for our farmers. These historically high volumes are expected to create a $31 billion dollar value for American corn and soybean oil for biofuel production in 2026. THAT’S $2 BILLION MORE THAN IN 2025! USDA estimates that the RFS Set 2 Rule will create a $3 to $4 BILLION DOLLAR increase in net farm income. 💵 👨🏼‍🌾 Farm and Fuel Security is NATIONAL SECURITY! 💪🏼🇺🇸

To those who: Do Dig Sow Milk Pick Herd Lead Feed Care Grow Plant Shear Water Teach Ranch Shovel Inspire Irrigate Protect Manage Harvest Produce Innovate Dedicate Cultivate Conserve Persevere Take Risks Contribute Work Hard 🇺🇸 We Thank You 🇺🇸 #NationalAgWeek

Whether it's our neighbors at a community garden in Louisville or the farmers throughout Kentucky who feed our state and our country, agriculture connects all of us. It was great to start All In for Agriculture Education Week with partners from across our Commonwealth as we all work to keep agricultural education alive and help our students develop valuable skills that prepare them for the future.

2025 in Review: National Security American farmland is not for sale to our enemies. Foreign adversaries, led by Communist China, have increased their ownership of U.S. farmland by 1,000% under the Biden Admin… often near our military bases. That is not economics. That is a national security threat. Under the leadership of @POTUS, @USDA launched the National Farm Security Action Plan to stop foreign control of our land, our food supply, and our future. American farmland is not for sale to our enemies, and it never will be. We will defend the United States of America - always. 🇺🇸

Mooery Christmas from Shell Farms!

🎄 🦌 Santa’s reindeer cleared for entry! Despite a surge in 🎁imports from the North Pole (Nice list inflation🎅🏼 economy is booming), @USDA is forecasting the #agtrade deficit to decrease. Cheers to strong trade relationships in 2026 — including with our North Pole friends! ⛄️

Today, under the leadership of @POTUS, @USDA announced an $11 billion plan to offer stability for our great American farmers. This plan is a BRIDGE from international malaise to global dominance AND from failure and stagnation to growth and prosperity. Joe Biden broke the ag economy. Donald Trump will fix it! There’s more to do, and every day we’re working for our farmers and ranchers.

🚨 @POTUS: "I'm delighted to announce this afternoon that the United States will be taking a small portion of the hundreds of billions of dollars we receive in tariffs... We're going to use that money to provide $12B in economic assistance to American farmers."

This Thanksgiving, we’re thankful for the Kentucky farmers who make our meals possible and keep our state growing strong. From our KDA family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃

The America First Policy Institute’s T.J. Wilson and Hannah Anderson joined AFPI Ag Council members @JShellKY, @TylerHarperGA, @TNAgCommish, and @RD_Kentucky for an important conversation on regional, farm-fresh foods as medicine. AFPI continues to work closely with our partners to put rural health and farmers first.

Honored to support Josh Branscum’s re-election campaign tonight in Clinton County. Huge turnout for a great state representative. 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 . #KY1

AMERICA MEANS BUSINESS! 💪 Following up on President Trump’s historic trade deal with China, other countries are lining up to buy American soybeans! Today, Bangladesh’s top three soy crushing companies agreed to purchase $1 billion of U.S. soybeans over the next year. That’s 3 times more U.S. soybeans than Bangladesh purchased in 2024! 🇺🇸🤝🇧🇩 Thank you @POTUS for leading the way and promoting U.S. agriculture globally! We will continue to aggressively open up markets for U.S farmers across the globe. 🌎🚜