State ag officials pursuing other opportunities

Jan 09, 2023

In Kentucky, Ryan Quarles entered the race to become governor

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Two heads of state ag departments are pursuing different opportunities.

In Kentucky, for example, current Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination in this year’s gubernatorial election.

Ryan Quarles

“I think it’s really important we have a governor that has rural roots but can work and support our urban areas as well,” Quarles said, WNKY reported on Jan. 4. “I think rural Kentucky is motivated right now and they want a leader who has some dirt on their boots and can represent them well in Frankfort.”

The primaries in Kentucky occur on May 16. Election day across the state is Nov. 7.

With Quarles focusing on becoming governor, this means Kentucky will also have a new ag commissioner after Nov. 7.

So far, Richard Heath and Jonathan Shell have declared their candidacy for the Republican nomination.

And Sierra Enlow has filed papers to become the Democrat candidate for ag commissioner.

In Indiana, the state ag director has stepped down.

Bruce Kettler

On Dec. 20, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch announced Bruce Kettler is leaving his post as director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture to become president and CEO of the Agribusiness Council of Indiana.

Kettler finished his time as ag director on Jan. 6.

“Through his dedication and commitment, he has elevated Indiana’s agribusiness development through innovation and a future-focused economy, and his leadership has set the agriculture ecosystem up for long-term success,” Gov. Eric Holcomb, who appointed Kettler as ag director in 2018, said in a statement.

The search to replace Kettler in Indiana is underway.

Video: A Farm Song (Busy) | Parody of A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey

Lyrics:

My days begin with workin’, Alarm’s at 5 o’clock,
I Fill 5 gallon buckets, The feeders and the troughs,
This five to nine ain’t workin’, why the heck do I work so hard?,
I can’t worry ‘bout health problems, I can sleep in when I’m gone,

One, here comes the two to the three to the four,
Tell em’ ‘buy another cow, we need plenty more’,
Blue jeans are gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
There’s another flock of sheep that still needs feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

I’ve been working pretty stressed but,
I ain’t changing for some cash,
Lord knows that I’m very blessed (More chores),
But I gotta say it’s hard,
Workin’ outside gettin’ charred,
Living out here on the farm, (more chores)

One, here comes the two to the three to the four,
Tell em’ ‘buy another cow, we need plenty more’,
Blue jeans are gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history
There’s another 20 chickens that still need feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Everybody on the farm getting’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Fun, here on ranch that’s what you can’t ignore,
Might be pretty hard but I love it to its core,
Flannel’s gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores (Tell ‘em sing with me)

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
There’s another flock of sheep that still needs feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
Watching cattle in the dark, don’t miss me,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
(Yeeeeeehaw)
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
It’s the best bro, go get yourself a farm