{"id":11015,"date":"2025-11-19T15:43:50","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T15:43:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bread.org\/?post_type=article&p=11015"},"modified":"2025-11-20T16:56:11","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T16:56:11","slug":"planting-seeds-of-hope-for-kentucky","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.bread.org\/article\/planting-seeds-of-hope-for-kentucky\/","title":{"rendered":"Planting Seeds of Hope for Kentucky"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On October 30th<\/sup>, faith leaders, farmers, policy experts, and advocates gathered for “Nourish Our Future: Seeds of Hope for Kentucky<\/em>,” a Bread for the World event in Frankfort, KY. Held at South Frankfort Presbyterian Church, the event brought together a cross-section of stakeholders to discuss agriculture, food access, and public policy in Kentucky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seeds of Hope for Kentucky <\/em>was organized in collaboration with the Presbyterian Hunger Program<\/a>, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship<\/a>, Coleman Crest Farm<\/a>, Henson Media<\/a>, and Baptist Seminary of Kentucky (BSK) Theological Seminary.<\/a> The event was spearheaded by one of Bread\u2019s Senior Regional Organizers, Florence French Fagan,<\/a> who covers the Southeast United States. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The goal of this gathering was to equip participants with a deeper understanding of food and farm systems in Kentucky, with an eye toward building constituent power and advocacy for systems change. In a year marked by significant cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid, and cuts to agricultural programs that supplied schools and food banks \u2013 and as the record-breaking government shutdown continued \u2013 this event was opportune to the policy moment we are in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rebecca Barnes, coordinator of the Presbyterian Hunger Program in Louisville, KY, shared a reflection as an attendee and planning member of the event. \u201cThis is such an essential time for us to come together, be together, and support strong action to end hunger in our community\u2026across the state of Kentucky.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day opened with strong and encouraging pre-recorded remarks from Governor Andy Beshear. He recognized the commitment of attendees in caring for their neighbor by advocating for programs that hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians rely upon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToday is a great example of the incredible things that can happen when faith, government, and community leaders work together for a common goal.\u201d The Governor continued, \u201cMy faith teaches me that food is life-giving and is meant to be shared. From the miracle of the fishes and the loaves to the last supper, we are called to feed and care for each other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the Governor\u2019s remarks, the opening plenary framed how current policy decisions are impacting hunger and farming in Kentucky. Bread\u2019s Managing Director, Rev. Heather Taylor<\/a>, led a discussion with Jessica Klein of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy<\/a>, along with Jim Colemen, proprietor of Coleman Crest Farm<\/a> outside Lexington, KY. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout the day, each workshop approached the issue of hunger and food insecurity from a different angle. However, they all pointed to the same underlying truth: hunger is deeply connected to systems of power, equity, and opportunity, with poverty as a root cause. Participants could self-select into the following morning sessions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n