Murray State University President Bob Jackson, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, and other government, education, and industry leaders are among a newly launched 21-member state task force dedicated to developing agriculture technology opportunities.
Governor Andy Beshear, who will chair the AgriTech Advisory Council, issued an executive order in establishing the council stating how, “being the global leader in the agritech industry will not only make Kentucky’s farms more productive and efficient, but will also benefit every citizen and every region of the Commonwealth in creating industry and jobs.”
“I am very pleased to assist Gov. Beshear and the commonwealth in this capacity as we advance AgriTech initiatives,” said Murray State University President Bob Jackson in a statement. “Murray State University has a great deal to offer in this area with outstanding academic programs, research, faculty expertise, among other resources in order to assist our region and state move forward.”
All members of the council are listed below:
Dr. Ryan Quarles, Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture;
Warren Beeler, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Agriculture Policy;
Dr. Aaron Thompson, President of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education;
Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, Secretary of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet;
Mike Berry, Secretary of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet;
Larry Hayes, interim Secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development;
Rebecca Goodman, Secretary of the Kentucky Energy and Environmental Cabinet;
Dr. Eli Capilouto, President of the University of Kentucky;
Dr. Robert L. (Bob) Jackson, President of Murray State University;
Dr. M. Christopher Brown II, President of Kentucky State University;
Linda Gorton, Mayor of the Lexington-Fayette County Urban Government;
Laura White-Brown, Mayor of the City of Morehead;
Mason Barnes, Simpson County Judge Executive;
James Kay, Woodford County Judge Executive;
Ashli Watts, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce;
Bill Finn, State Director of the Kentucky State Building and Construction Trades Council, representing Kentucky labor and trade;
Eric Gregory, President of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, representing Kentucky labor and trade;
Dr. Mark Lyons, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alltech, representing Kentucky businesses related to agriculture and agricultural technology;
Jonathan Webb, founder and Chief Executive Officer of AppHarvest, representing Kentucky businesses related to agriculture and agricultural technology;
Dr. Shubin Saha, Chief Operating Officer of Kentucky Fresh Harvest, representing Kentucky businesses related to agriculture and agricultural technology; and
Trevor Claiborn, co-founder of Black Soil, representing Kentucky businesses related to agriculture and agricultural technology.
