KJEANRL
Who Wants the Smoke: How Kentucky Can Repurpose ...

Kentucky's 67,700 farms represent an untapped opportunity in the voluntary carbon credit market, but transaction costs have kept small farmers on the sidelines of a rapidly developing global credit supply. In this blog, 2L staffer Spencer Harris argues that the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board already holds the mandate and the money through the state's $2.8 billion share of the Tobacco Master Settlement. This money can be used to subsidize the verification costs that stand between tobacco-legacy farmers and a new, recurring income stream.

Who Wants the Smoke: How Kentucky Can Repurpose Tobacco Farmland as Carbon Credit Infrastructure
KJEANRL
Barn Weddings and Bureaucracy: The Zoning ...

In this blog, 3L senior staffer Caidan Drenk examines the growing tension between Kentucky’s statutory recognition of agritourism and the continued use of local zoning authority to regulate farm-based events such as weddings and festivals. He argues that although Kentucky law expressly recognizes these activities as agritourism, local land-use regulations can still create significant uncertainty for farmers seeking to diversify their operations. Drenk contends that the Kentucky General Assembly should clarify the relationship between agritourism statutes and local zoning authority to better protect working farms and promote agricultural sustainability.

Barn Weddings and Bureaucracy: The Zoning Battle Over Kentucky Agritourism
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Should It Stay or Should It Go? EPA’s Dicamba ...

In this blog, 2L staffer Braden Porter argues that courts reviewing pesticide registrations under the EPA should consider staying judgments, rather than vacating during active growing seasons. Porter explains that while vacatur can correct agency actions, the timing of the decisions can harm farmers who rely on federal registrations to plan for the planting and growing seasons. He argues that courts should exercise their discretion to delay the effects of vacatur and preserve their authority, while preventing disruption to seasonal industries such as agriculture.

Should It Stay or Should It Go? EPA’s Dicamba Reapproval and the Timing of Judicial Remedies For Vacatur and Stays
KJEANRL
An Economy of Scale: How Federal Crop Insurance ...

In this blog, 2L staffer Luke Glasscock discusses how a nearly century-old safety net for farmers, dating back to the first farm bill in 1933, has given way to a federal crop insurance program that disproportionately benefits large farming operations. Glasscock contends that if federal crop insurance discouraged risk-taking in agricultural practices and subsidy caps were placed on large farms, not only could this economy of scale be reduced, but also more attention could be given to high-risk small farms.

An Economy of Scale: How Federal Crop Insurance Favors Big Farms
KJEANRL
Brewing Trouble at Home: The Current Tumultuous ...

In this blog, 2L staffer Jack Klier illustrates how the practice of home distillation brings up constitutional questions of taxation, public safety issues, and potential federal overreach. While a recent United States District Court ruling has raised important questions about Congress’s enumerated powers, Klier argues that the ruling is likely not strong enough on its merits to convince the Supreme Court to depart from its decision in Wickard.

Brewing Trouble at Home: The Current Tumultuous Legality of Home Distillation and the Constitutional Questions Raised

Got Mergers? Dairy Farm Bankruptcies Prompt Antitrust Probe

Got Mergers? Dairy Farm Bankruptcies Prompt Antitrust Probe

Keeping dairy farms afloat has challenged the United States government over the last few decades, resulting in billions of dollars spent bailing out dairy farmers. In 2019, more than 2,700 family-run dairy farms shut down. Major dairy companies are now arguing that mergers are the only way to stay in business. However, the government does not seem too MOOved by this argument. In this post, staffer Mary Dallas discusses the reason for the government's pushback when it comes to dairy farm mergers and potential antitrust issues that could arise.

“Bourbon on the rocks, hold the tariffs”

“Bourbon on the rocks, hold the tariffs”

Over the last decade, the bourbon industry experienced tremendous growth revitalizing the Kentucky economy. However, as the expansion of this beloved Kentucky beverage spread across the nation's borders, the bourbon's industry's push for a more international presence was not met without challenges. In this blog post, staffer Jonas Bastien analyzes retaliatory tariffs' impact on Kentucky bourbon and what lies ahead for the whiskey industry.

Developing Red River Gorge: A Lesson in Consensus Building

Developing Red River Gorge: A Lesson in Consensus Building

Within the next decade, Kentucky’s beloved Red River Gorge must undergo significant commercial development. Discussion about how to monetize this natural landmark without compromising the environment has Kentucky residents concerned. Staffer Howard Ball writes on the Chamber of Commerce’s plan to boost ecotourism and bring money to Eastern Kentucky.