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Efforts underway to protect Kentucky farmland through new bill

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Efforts underway to protect Kentucky farmland through new bill


BOURBON COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — As farmland values continue to rise, experts warn that it’s becoming increasingly difficult for farmers to acquire land.

With the future of America’s farmlands at risk, agricultural advocates are urging for the passage of a new bill aimed at protecting these vital resources. Recently, Senator Mitch McConnell introduced the Protecting Americans Farmland Act.

In Bourbon County, one family of farmers is voicing support for the legislation. Unlike many of the multi-generational farms of Kentucky, Ben and Savannah Robin didn’t inherit their land, but built it from the ground up. They’ve seen firsthand the viable farmland that’s rapidly declining.

Ben Robins said, “A lot lately has been sold into development, and that’s what we don’t want to happen. We see highly productive farmland that’s now a subdivision.”

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In the 2022 Census of Agriculture, stats showed that from 2017 to 2022, Kentucky lost 546,000 acres of farmland, averaging about 290 acres lost each day. In Bourbon County, 20% of farms have ceased operations in the last 40 years.

Savannah Robins emphasized the need for balance.

“If we look around and see where we were, we need housing and people to come to rural spaces, but we have to find a balance and we have to protect what we currently have,” she said.

Agricultural experts point out that many families do not wish to continue farming once the head farmer retires. When these farmers sell their land, the options to retain it for agricultural use are limited.

What’s more, outside investors are increasingly purchasing land for non-agricultural purposes or leasing it back to farmers, which restricts farmers’ ability to build equity.

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“We have a lot of incentive to get into farming, and there’s been work on young farmers or beginner farmers to get them to buy into farming and get that access to capital, but there hasn’t been a lot of incentive on the other side to sell that property into an agricultural space and keep it in ag production,” Savannah said.

As agricultural land increasingly gives way to developments like housing and office space or industrial use like solar farms, those in the agricultural sector are concerned.

Ericka King, Director of National Affairs and Government Relations with the Kentucky Farm Bureau, stressed the importance of maintaining farmland.

“We promote development that is good for the country, it’s good for everyone, but we also have to strike that balance to ensure that we have enough farmland to feed, clothe and fuel the country,” said King.

King explained the purpose of the Protecting American Farmlands Act, telling LEX 18, “This bill would allow a farmer or landowner who has land in active production to sell that land to another active farmer. If the buyer promises to keep the land in active agricultural production for at least 10 years, the gains from that sale can be placed into a qualified retirement account so that that seller is able to have a viable retirement option.”

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With increased incentives for farmers to keep farmland within ag production, families like the Robins hope for a brighter future for the next generation, which includes their daughters.

“If we want to be able to create a space for them to come back to the farm or have their own entities or to even grow our own farming operations, we’ve gotta be able to purchase land and we have to have land to be able to purchase,” said Savannah.

As discussions surrounding the Protecting American Farmland Act continue, advocates remain hopeful that the bill will make it across the finish line, saving vital farmland before it’s too late.





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Kentucky woman, 35, charged with homicide after using abortion pills then burying fetus in backyard

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Kentucky woman, 35, charged with homicide after using abortion pills then burying fetus in  backyard


A Kentucky woman was charged with fetal homicide after allegedly using abortion pills and burying the fetus in a Christmas-wrapped lightbulb box in her backyard — when she got pregnant following an affair.

Melinda Spencer, 35, was arrested Wednesday after going to a Campton health care clinic, where she told staff members she used medication purchased online to end her pregnancy, which is illegal in the state, according to Kentucky State Police, FOX 56 reported.

Police said Spencer allegedly admitted to taking the pills on Dec. 26 and burying the fetus — described as a “developed male infant” — two days later in a shallow grave at her Flat Mary Road home.

Melinda Spencer, 35, was charged with fetal homicide after taking abortion pills to end her pregnancy in Kentucky, where that is illegal. Kentucky State Police

After obtaining a search warrant, cops found the remains wrapped in a white rag and stuffed in the holiday-decorated box inside a plastic bag, court documents showed.

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Spencer later confessed that she allegedly ordered the pregnancy-ending drugs after conceiving with a man who was not her boyfriend, claiming she didn’t want him to find out, police said, per the outlet.

Authorities said she wanted to “abort the fetus on her own.”

Cops found the remains wrapped in a white rag and stuffed in the holiday-decorated box inside a plastic bag in her backyard. AP

It’s unclear how long she was pregnant before taking the pills.

An autopsy has reportedly been scheduled to establish how developed the fetus was.

In Kentucky, nearly all abortions are illegal, with a doctor only authorized to perform one to prevent death or serious injury to the mother.

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The deadly offense makes her eligible for the death penalty. Getty Images

There are no exceptions for rape or incest.

State law also bars the distribution of abortion medication.

Spencer was charged with first-degree fetal homicide, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and first-degree promoting contraband, the outlet reported.

The homicide offense makes her eligible for the death penalty. She also faces life behind bars if convicted.

Spencer is being held at Three Forks Regional Jail in Beattyville.

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Lancaster resident describes Kentucky earthquake experience

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Lancaster resident describes Kentucky earthquake experience


LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit Kentucky Sunday afternoon with an epicenter between Richmond and Lancaster, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The USGS “Did You Feel It” survey received reports from people in Richmond, Danville, Stanford, Lancaster and Lexington.

Caroline Boyd, a retired nurse from Lancaster, was reading at home when the earthquake began at 12:47 p.m.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say shaking but it felt like a rumbling in my basement or even outside,” Boyd said.

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Boyd said she felt and heard the ground beneath her rumble followed by a loud boom.

“I thought to myself what on earth is that? Because there is no trains or train station nearby, so I knew it was not a train. So, I just sat there and listened. I would say it lasted about 10 to 15 seconds,” Boyd said.

After the tremor, Boyd called her neighbors and then the sheriff’s office. Dispatchers told her there had been an earthquake.

Dustin Price, deputy director and public information officer for Garrad County Emergency Management Agency, said the agency first heard from Bluegrass 911 about reports of a loud boom and shaking.

“Approximately we were able to confirm through the state that there was a confirmed 3.1 magnitude earthquake that hit through Garrad County,” Price said.

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No injuries or property damage were reported, according to Price.

Boyd said she was thankful the earthquake did not cause more serious problems.

“Even if I would’ve had to relocate if there was a problem. I have two pets, so it could’ve been really bad,” Boyd said.

Garrad County EMA said they are thankful for all the agencies who helped respond to the incident.

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3.2 magnitude earthquake with no immediate reports of damage confirmed in Garrard County

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3.2 magnitude earthquake with no immediate reports of damage confirmed in Garrard County


GARRARD COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Governor Andy Beshear reports that a 3.2 magnitude earthquake has been reported in Garrard County.

“This range does not typically produce sizable damage – just shaking – and thankfully, that is all that’s been reported so far,” Beshear said on social media Sunday.

According to the Lincoln County EMA, the earthquake happened around 12:47 p.m. with a shallow depth of 8 kilometers.

NWS Louisville reports the location of the quake to have been near the Garrard/Madison County line.

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Multiple agencies are also reporting no immediate reports of damage.





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