Frigid temperatures and icy roads did little to slow current Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner and GOP governor’s candidate Ryan Quarles Tuesday morning, who paid visit to Christian County in the middle of his “Ag Tag” campaign for the Commonwealth.
In the program, farmers have a chance — courtesy of a $10 donation — to place an “Ag Tag” on their farm licenses plates. The sticker has Kentucky Proud, FFA and Kentucky 4-H symbols on it, and the $10 donation gets re-routed to programs like these, as well as their communities.
Quarles noted that county clerks and deputy clerks can sometimes “put a nudge” in farmers to make the donation to a good cause.
However, Quarles said it’s not uncommon for farmers give back — especially having likely played a big role in Kentucky Proud, FFA and Kentucky 4-H themselves throughout the years.
In 2020, Quarles said Kentucky’s clerk offices raised more than $600,000 for the “Ag Tag” Fund, and that now it’s become a playful competition between counties.
At the moment, the “Ag Tag” efforts aren’t the only thing on Quarles’ radar.
Kentucky’s top two state veterinarian positions remain open at this time, and applications are being accepted.
The state veterinarian office, Quarles added, plays a pivotal role in Kentucky’s animal health and control procedures.
These are two positions that can’t remain vacant for long.
Quarles also has an intense governor’s campaign ahead for him in these last few months, with a handful of candidates vying for the Republican nomination to face incumbent Andy Beshear in November.
Quarles was originally scheduled to visit with the Rotary Club of Hopkinsville Tuesday, before weather forced a cancellation.
