The official account of the 36th Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell. | Food. Faith. Family.
Frankfort, Kentucky
Joined December 2023
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Huge win for Kentucky farmers. President Trump signed an executive order expanding access to tax-exempt red-dyed diesel.
With harvest underway and high fuel costs weighing on farm families, this will provide immediate relief and help lower costs. Thank you President Trump for standing with our farmers.
BREAKING: @POTUS just signed an Executive Order to immediately cut diesel costs by temporarily allowing highway use of tax-free dyed diesel and deferring the federal diesel tax on that fuel through the end of the year — no interest, no penalties.
From leading Kentucky FFA to helping lead the nation. Congrats to Aiden Manley, the new National FFA Eastern Region Vice President!
Couldn’t be prouder of Spencer County FFA for taking home the top national honor in Strengthening Agriculture!
These students worked alongside our late friend Dale Dobson and KDA’s Raising Hope initiative to promote farm safety, offer health screenings, and remind our farmers just how much they’re appreciated.
I can’t think of a better way to honor Dale’s work than seeing these young leaders carry it forward.
Huge congrats to Daviess County FFA’s Blue Bridge Boys on winning the 2026 National FFA Talent competition. Keep making Kentucky proud, boys!
Great to join USDA Director Travis Burton to announce a Distance Learning grant of over $744,000 to create new opportunities for our rural communities.
Productive meeting with the Senate Majority working group to discuss the growing market for alternative aviation fuels.
Kentucky is the logistics capital of America. By using Kentucky-grown corn and soybeans to help fuel the aviation industry, we can strengthen our supply chains and open new markets for our farm families.
Today’s groundbreaking marks a big step forward for ag education in Shelby County. The new Agriculture Academy will give students more opportunities to build the skills to lead our industry forward.
President Trump continues to deliver for America’s farmers. USDA’s new Harvest Fuel Relief Program will put $8 billion directly into farmers’ hands to help offset rising fuel and production costs. I’m grateful for his leadership and for putting farm families first.
Harvest relief for America’s farmers.
Today, @POTUS and @SecRollins announced the Harvest Fuel Relief Program — making $8 BILLION available for one-time payments to farmers facing higher costs and market disruptions.
Here’s what that means:
➡️ Payments to help cover a portion of estimated losses for the 2026 crop year.
➡️ Payment amounts based on planted acres, production costs, crop yields, and prices.
➡️ Row crop payment rates announced in November, with details for other eligible commodities to follow.
➡️ Application will be available online using a Login.gov account that is connected to USDA.
🔗 usda.gov/about-usda/news/pre…
Kentucky FFA has shaped generations of leaders across our Commonwealth, myself included. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the lessons and opportunities FFA gave me.
Proud to celebrate the blue corduroy jacket tonight at the Blue & Gold Gala and support the next generation of Kentucky leaders.
We have some pretty special people at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Grateful for each of them and the work they do for our Commonwealth.
Taylor County feels like home. I especially love being here for their first annual Farm to Table dinner.
It’s easy to see how much agriculture means to this community and the pride they take in supporting their local farmers.
Kentucky is leading the way in connecting our farmers with school cafeterias. Through our Farm to School program, we're putting food raised and grown right here in Kentucky on lunch trays across the Commonwealth. These districts are showing what that partnership can accomplish.
My heart is heavy today as we remember the life and legacy of Billy Ray Smith. Kentucky has been blessed with remarkable leaders in agriculture, and Billy Ray was certainly one of them.
Kentucky agriculture owes Billy Ray a great deal. He made history as Kentucky’s first two-term Agriculture Commissioner. But more importantly, he was a farmer’s Commissioner. It was never about press releases or what’s next in politics. He was there to do the job and serve Kentucky farmers.
Among his greatest legacies was helping establish Kentucky’s Farm and Home Safety Program, an initiative that has helped prevent countless tragedies across the Commonwealth.
Like so many others, I’m grateful for his leadership, his service, and the example he set for those of us who have followed in his footsteps. Please join me in praying for his family and all who knew and loved him.
Kentucky farmers feed our country, fuel our economy, and keep America moving forward.
There's no greater privilege than standing up for these hardworking men and women. On National Farmers Day and every day, I'm proud to have your back. God bless our farmers.
Proud to recognize and honor all the hard work and dedication our Kentucky youth livestock exhibitors have put in throughout the year.
