Born and raised on a dairy farm in Smith's Grove, Ky., Roger Thomas, recently appointed executive director of the Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy (GOAP), was always actively involved in agriculture. His agriculture leadership experiences inspired the full-time farmer to run for the Kentucky Legislature in 1996 during a special election, which began his almost nine years of service as a state representative to his rural constituents of Warren County and to Kentucky agriculture.
Thomas began working with the Kentucky dairy industry after leaving the legislature in 2005 and helped establish the Kentucky Dairy Development Council. He served as the executive director of that organization until he was asked by Governor Beshear in December to take his new post leading the GOAP.
I recently had a chance to sit down with Roger to talk about the role he has played in Kentucky agriculture and his goals for the future.
KK: When Governor Beshear asked you to serve in this position, what was your initial response?
RT: Governor Beshear told me he needed my help, and I asked him, 'What can I do?' He said, 'I need you to take the position of executive director of ag policy. I said, 'Governor, I know during your campaign and after the election, you stated your commitment to the Agriculture Development Fund and to maintaining 50 percent of the proceeds of the MSA going to diversify agriculture. I just need you to tell me that again.' The governor affirmed his commitment, and then I tentatively agreed. I told him I had to first talk with my wife, Doris. Once I talked to Doris and she was excited, I called the governor and accepted the position.
KK: You have quite an extensive history in agriculture here in Kentucky, going back to your childhood, so tell me a little bit about your involvement in agriculture and your farm experience.
RT: I'm proud of my agricultural heritage. I grew up on a family farm, in Smith's Grove in Warren County. My father and I farmed in a partnership for many years, actually up until 1995. We had a small dairy, about 120 cows, and I was very active on the farm up until my election into the state house of representatives in 1996. That was my first role in politics.
KK: As a legislator, you served on the house agriculture committee, but you were also very involved in the drafting and passage of House Bill 611.
RT: That was a very exciting time. It was my first year to chair the House Agriculture Committee, and during this time the opportunity came along, because of the MSA, to work on the legislation that created the Agriculture Development Fund and the Agriculture Development Board. The work on that bill, I guess, is the prime example that I can go back to and think about in which the entire agriculture community came together and worked in unison on an effort. That was the only way we could have been successful, and we were successful in passing the legislation, House Bill 611.
KK: How did it feel to see something you helped create come to life, seeing the board, the projects and the farmers being so proactive in the communities?
RT: It was new ground for all of us; we had never experienced anything like this, in agriculture or anything else - dealing with a new board, dealing with setting up a process that would have accountability tied to it.
It was scary, thrilling and exciting; all those things rolled into one. I remember, I guess it was the first meeting I had with John-Mark Hack, who was the first executive director of the GOAP, the first meeting we had after the final passage of HB 611. I remember telling John-Mark, and he agreed, as difficult as the passage of the legislation was, and it was difficult, I said the easy part is over. I said implementing is the tough part.
KK: As the new executive director of the GOAP, what is your agenda as you move forward in this new year and this administration?
RT: I guess the overarching agenda is something the governor and I have talked about, the commissioner and I have talked about, and the governor and commissioner have talked about. I believe we can maximize the results we are seeing in improving agriculture in Kentucky.
We can do better than what has been done in the past; by developing an even better working relationship between KDA, the administration and GOAP. I know I'm committed to that, I know the governor is, and I know the commissioner is, and I look forward to the two agencies, KDA and GOAP, working and having an even closer relationship than they have had in the past. I know it has been good in the past, especially between Keith Rogers, the commissioner, and Michael Judge.
I believe with Governor Beshear's support and his desire to support agriculture, he and Commissioner Farmer will have a great relationship, and we will all work together.
KK: Having been a legislator and now coming into the role of executive director, do you see yourself playing a role in communicating with the legislature on the importance of this fund, especially since we are coming upon a budget year, and in light of the budget issues we are facing as a state?
RT: It has been discussed briefly, and I can tell you I am looking forward to helping the governor in that regard and helping agriculture and rural Kentucky in that regard. I do have a good relationship with many members of the General Assembly, both Republican and Democrat. I look forward to carrying the message for agriculture and rural Kentucky on behalf of the governor in working with the General Assembly not only during the session, but beyond the session.
Obviously with the budget crisis, we are very concerned about how we are going to address that budget shortfall. I do believe in times like these everyone needs to help bear the burden, and if that requires assistance from us, then we will step up to the plate.
I'm going to put forth my best effort to explain to the governor and General Assembly that agriculture needs the use of the Ag Development Funds to continue the diversification efforts and to continue to grow existing agricultural industries.
KK: Do you feel like you have come full circle here? You started in writing the legislation and being involved from that side, then you were involved as an applicant with the Dairy Development Council, and you have been asked to take hold of the helm and lead the GOAP.
RT: Yes, I do feel like I've come full circle. I'm not sure what has been the most exciting part; I guess that is yet to be determined.
Working with fellow legislators, Governor Patton and the agriculture community back in 2000 was very rewarding - stressful, but rewarding. It was amazing watching the implementation process after that and the tremendous work of extension agents throughout the state helping with the county council effort and the benefits of it (the fund) on the farm community. I'm hoping that at least the next four years or longer will be equally rewarding.
KK: Anything else you would like to add about being in this new position in Kentucky agriculture?
RT: It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'm sure there are going to be many bumps in the road, but I'm really looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to working with Governor Beshear, the General Assembly, and working with agriculture the community that I've been associated with for so long.
I hope that whether it is a year down the road, four years down the road, or eight years down the road, whenever I leave this position, I hope I can look back and be as proud of the time served in this position, as I was of the nine years I served in the General Assembly.
KK: Thank you, Roger.
RT: Thank you.