Agriculture in Kentucky has a huge economic impact, and the livestock industry is a major factor.

​The Kentucky Livestock Innovation Center aims to advance, support and communicate continuous improvement of livestock production, economic vitality and environmental stewardship as well as be the hub for collaboration between all livestock and agriculture industry groups.
​Thanks to a $22 million dollar investment from the Kentucky General Assembly in the state biennium budget, this goal is now a reality. 

Mission

The Kentucky Livestock Innovation Center will serve as a central coordinating location to advance the socioeconomic benefit of agriculture to the Commonwealth of Kentucky by fostering collaboration in education, innovation, marketing, and research.​​

Purpose

This facility will create an environment that engages both learning and teaching opportunities for producers, food and retail partners, and others to support and communicate continuous improvement of livestock production, economic vitality, and sustainability. ​​

Industry Priorities

• Workforce Development: Strengthen Kentucky’s processing industry
• Value Added: Provide technology transfer opportunities to improve in aspects of the production, food, and consumer industries
• Producer Profitability: Assist producers in developing marketing opportunities to make them more economically sustainable
• Student Enrichment: Develop immersive education models

Industry Strategic Objectives

• Consumers: Communicating to consumers that food produced by the livestock industry is wholesome, safe, nutritious, and raised in a safe and sustainable environment will have long-term benefits in maintaining consumer confidence and growth in demand for animal food products.
• Education and Research: Animal agriculture is a significant portion of U.S. agriculture. Related research, education, and extension activities are continually changing to address new challenges and opportunities.
• Food Systems: Innovative technologies support producers in improving sustainability, safety, traceability, agri-technology, and animal welfare along the entire food supply chain.
• Sustainable Business Models: Sustainably managed agriculture and food industries contribute to crucial socioeconomic and ecosystem functions.
• Advancements in Ag: Successful agriculture centers create a valuable circle of successful outcomes that lead to new ideas, opportunities, and investments.

Highlights

The Bluegrass State boasts 69,425 farms across 12.4 million acres of land.

Kentucky's livestock industry accounted for more than $4.2 billion to the state's economy in 2022.

Over half of all farms in
Kentucky ​raise livestock.