Gov. Beshear announces plans to build 'America's AgriTech capital' in Kentucky

[MelissaB]

Beshear announces plans to build ‘America’s AgriTech capital’ in Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) - Gov. Andy Beshear announced Wednesday plans to build America’s AgriTech capital in Kentucky:

The governor says he signed an international agreement with 16 other partner organizations, including the Dutch government, that are committed to the same goal.

The international agreement group was brought together by a company called AppHarvest which is creating one of the largest controlled environment agriculture facilities in the world. The agreement is committed to the creation of America’s AgTech capital in Appalachia.

“In Kentucky, we’re going to reopen and rebuild our economy even stronger than it was before COVID-19,” said Gov. Beshear. “Partnerships like this one highlight our state’s 21st century leadership and limitless potential. I can’t wait to see the AgriTech industry continue to grow in Eastern Kentucky, led by AppHarvest and other companies that are reimagining the future of farming.”

The governor says Kentucky’s central geographic location provides a huge advantage in AgriTech: AppHarvest’s tomatoes can reach 70% of Americans in a day’s drive. That means fresher food and far less food waste as grocers benefit from the extended shelf life. Growing fruits and vegetables closer to where people eat them also helps prevent the frustrating supply issues that COVID-19 continues to reveal, caused by America’s increasing reliance on agricultural imports.

More: https://www.wkyt.com/2020/06/24/watch-live-gov-beshear-announcing-major-agritech-developments/

[MelissaB]

1. More:

The guiding agreement calls for a series of research programs, construction of a center of excellence and the building of additional private infrastructure similar to AppHarvest’s 2.76 million-square-foot farm that opens this fall in Morehead. As part of the agreement, the partners also commit to opening a Dutch representative office in Kentucky to spur investment in the state by Dutch companies, which are recognized as the world’s AgriTech leaders.

[Mopar151]

2. A lot of those "Ag-Tech" jobs

Are the sort of work that former coal miners are good at - lots of mechanization, reward good work ethic and pride in the work.

[HotTeaBag]

3. Sure hope so.

Eastern Kentucky can really use the boost.

...of course it will have been Trump's idea all along (or at least starting sometime around October 10th. or so).