As part of USDA's Earth Day celebration, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced support for projects that will improve water and wastewater services for rural Americans and benefit the environment across the country. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. This announcement is one part of the Department's efforts to strengthen the rural economy.

Five organizations in Kentucky were honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) with 2013 awards from the Energy Star Program. This award was given because of their outstanding leadership and commitment to protecting America’s environment through energy efficiency.

Rapidly expanding eco-friendly cooking oil management franchise will serve Elizabethtown, Bowling Green, Owensboro, Danville, Somerset and the surrounding communities

The Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions franchise has been promoting environmental sustainability to commercial kitchens since its inception in 1996. The eco-friendly franchise is proud to announce the opening of a new location based in Elizabethtown, KY. The new location will serve South Central Kentucky, including Elizabethtown, Bowling Green, Owensboro, Danville and Somerset. The new location is owned and managed by Kelly & Lori Tipple . Prior to joining Filta, Mr. Tipple served as an Area Installation Manager for Lowe's Companies, Inc. The Tipples have already begun servicing accounts, including restaurants - Denny's, Chick-fil-A, McDonalds, and Colton's Steak House; healthcare facilities - HealthSouth's Lakeview Rehab Hospital and The Medical Centers in Bowling Green & Scottsville; and educational institutions - Elizabethtown Community & Technical College.

Support for Kentucky Industrial Hemp Cultivation Program Gains Momentum at State and Federal Levels and Includes Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell

On February 11 at 11:00 a.m. ET, Congressional representatives Sen. Rand Paul (R–KY), Rep. John Yarmuth (D—KY), Rep. Thomas Massie (R—KY), former CIA Director James Woolsey and Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer will testify before the Kentucky Senate Agriculture Committee in support of Kentucky Senate Bill 50, which would direct the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to create a program for licensing farmers to grow industrial hemp, establish conditions and stipulations for license holders, and define procedures for communication between the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and law enforcement. If passed, SB 50 would begin the process of regulating and rebuilding the agriculture infrastructure for hemp cultivation, but would not begin licensing Kentucky farmers to grow the crop until current federal restrictions on hemp are lifted.

The 480-acre tract will help to potentially protect a block of nearly 2,000 contiguous forested acres in eastern Kentucky

The Nature Conservancy of Kentucky closed out last year with a land donation that advances multi-state conservation efforts in the Central Appalachian Mountains. The 480-acre Jacob and Annie Cohen Forest Tract’s proximity to the Jefferson National Forest, the Conservancy’s Bad Branch Nature Preserve and other protected areas provides an opportunity to potentially protect a block of nearly 2,000 contiguous forested acres in eastern Kentucky.