Agriculture

Kentucky’s Sixth District is home to several unique, signature industries in agriculture and many farmers who work endlessly to provide our food. Agriculture plays a vital role in the prosperity of Kentucky, and yet farmers continue to face many challenges in their industry. In Congress, I will continue to work to find solutions that improve the lives of those in our rural communities.

  • Delivered almost $30 billion in COVID-19 relief directly to farmers through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). CFAP was designed to provide immediate relief to farmers, ranchers, and producers during the pandemic. 
  • Advocated for cattle and hemp farmers to be included in CFAP in letters sent to former U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue. 
  • Sponsored H.R. 5582, the White Oak Resilience Act, which addresses the critical shortages faced by the white oak population, underlining its vital importance to the environment, the economy, and the bourbon industry.
  • Sent letters to the USDA and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) requesting a full investigation into possible anti-trust violations in the cattle industry. 
  • Cosponsored H.R. 8003, the Securing American Agriculture Act to protect American food and agricultural supply chains against China and ensure that American ranchers and farmers continue to have the tools available as they feed and fuel the world.  
  • Cosponsored and voted for, H.R. 2891, the SAFE Banking Act, which allows hemp businesses access to banking services in the United States. 
  • Sent a letter to USDA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) asking them to temporarily amend requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic for guest-worker programs. 
  • Introduced the Promoting Access to Capital in Underbanked Communities Act to ease regulations for bank formation and encourage formation in underserved areas, including rural areas. The bill also makes it easier for lenders to lend to agriculture businesses in their communities. Under current law, lenders are limited in how much they can lend, as a percentage of total outstanding loans, to certain sectors, including agriculture.  This bill removes those limits.

More on Agriculture

January 2021
Date Title
1/22/21 Congressman Andy Barr Brings Home Major Victories for Agriculture Industry, Kentucky Farmers
May 2020
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5/20/20 Rep. Barr Hosting COVID-19 Teletown Hall with Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles
December 2019
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12/4/19 Congressman Barr Commends Financial Regulators on Hemp Guidance, Urges Additional Clarification
September 2019
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9/25/19 Congressman Barr’s Amendments to Help Hemp and CBD Industries to Access Banking and Financial Services Passes House
March 2019
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3/14/19 Barr, Tonko Reintroduce Horseracing Integrity Act
February 2017
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2/17/17 Senators McConnell, Paul and Congressman Barr Reintroduce Bourbon Bill
January 2016
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1/13/16 Barr Votes to Stop Federal Regulation of Farm Ponds, Ditches
June 2015
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6/18/15 Barr Votes to Hold Obama Administration Accountable in Trade Negotiations
April 2015
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4/22/15 Barr Supports Bipartisan TPA Agreement
4/16/15 Barr Votes to Repeal the Death Tax
March 2015
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3/20/15 Barr Earns Benjamin Franklin Award
December 2014
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12/12/14 Barr Statement on Bill to Keep the Government Open
September 2014
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9/17/14 Barr Stands up for Main Street Businesses, Honored as Guardian of Small Business by NFIB
9/9/14 Barr Supports Bill to Reduce EPA's Burdensome Overreach
May 2014
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5/21/14 Barr Applauds Kentucky's Bid to Host 2018 World Equestrian Games
March 2014
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3/10/14 Barr and Tonko Convene Bipartisan Congressional Horse Caucus to Discuss Job Creation, Economic Growth in Horse Industry
January 2014
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1/29/14 Barr Statement on Passage of the Farm Bill
1/28/14 Congressman Barr's Statement on the State of the Union
1/15/14 Federal Spending Bill Promotes Central and Eastern Kentucky Priorities
1/6/14 Barr Welcomes USDA Decision to Honor Commitment to Kentucky Tobacco Farmers
December 2013
Date Title
12/9/13 Barr Statement on SOAR Summit
November 2013
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11/15/13 Barr Supports Kentucky Bid to Return World Equestrian Games to Lexington
October 2013
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10/23/13 Barr Votes to Protect Kentucky Jobs and Competitiveness
10/11/13 Barr, Whitfield, and Guthrie Call on Speaker Boehner to Assign Farm Bill Conferees
September 2013
Date Title
9/30/13 Barr Votes Again to Avert Government Shutdown, Ensure No Special Treatment
9/20/13 Barr Votes to Reform SNAP Program
9/5/13 Barr Welcomes USDA Decision to Reverse Crop Insurance Policy for Tobacco Farmers
July 2013
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7/25/13 Barr Votes to Protect Kentuckians from Costly, Job-Destroying EPA Coal Ash Regulations
7/11/13 Barr Statement on Passage of the FARRM Bill
June 2013
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6/20/13 Barr: Amendment Makes Farm Bill Best Chance for Industrial Hemp
6/13/13 Barr Announces Redesign of Congressional Website for Sixth District of Kentucky
May 2013
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5/30/13 Barr Introduces Race Horse Legislation to Protect Kentucky Jobs
April 2013
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4/26/13 Congressman Andy Barr Fights for KY Farmers