About Us

Those who work with Bluegrass AgTech aren’t just advancing agriculture. They are making a positive investment in Kentucky’s hardworking farmers, Kentucky’s unique foodways, and Kentucky’s future as a leader in the field of high-quality, sustainable and profitable agriculture.

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Our Mission

In 2022, Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp was established by a group of leading civic, farming and research entities: the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, and Alltech.

Our goal? To help make Kentucky the agricultural technology capital of the United States.

This goal is ambitious but attainable. Our state is already emerging as a leader in the industry, and Bluegrass AgTech provides a uniquely effective ecosystem for accelerating that growth, with multiple benefits to our state and its people.

We are ...

  • Encouraging up-and-coming entrepreneurs and startups to settle in Kentucky
  • Boosting productivity and profitability for farmers
  • Expanding career and employment options in agriculture
  • Achieving greater nutrition and food security
  • Supporting advancements in environmental sustainability
  • Creating and sustaining promising agriculture-related businesses
  • Building excitement that attracts young people to the agriculture segment
  • Developing a varied pipeline of research opportunities

We are ...

  • Encouraging up-and-coming entrepreneurs and startups to settle in Kentucky
  • Boosting productivity and profitability for farmers
  • Expanding career and employment options in agriculture
  • Achieving greater nutrition and food security
  • Supporting advancements in environmental sustainability
  • Creating and sustaining promising agriculture-related businesses
  • Building excitement that attracts young people to the agriculture segment
  • Developing a varied pipeline of research opportunities
Mayor_Linda_Gorton_BADC_2023

This partnership is focused on attracting agtech companies to Lexington and all of Kentucky. Lexington and Kentucky have all of the ingredients to become a major hub for high-tech innovation in agriculture, attracting good jobs and new companies to our city.

Mayor Linda Gorton, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government

Dr_Ryan_Quarles_BADC_2023

We believe that Kentucky can step up to the challenges facing our agriculture communities and become the agriculture hub of technology and innovation in the United States.

Dr. Ryan Quarles, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner

Dean_Nancy_Cox_BADC_2023

A vibrant agtech hub will provide more opportunities for new research collaborations and innovations and for UK graduates to stay in Kentucky and work in new agriculture-based companies.

Dr. Nancy Cox, Vice President for Land-grant Engagement and Dean, University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Dr_Mark_Lyons_BADC_2023

With the formation of the Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp, we are taking a significant step forward in creating an ecosystem for agri–food innovation that builds upon Kentucky’s best attributes.

Dr. Mark Lyons, President and CEO, Alltech

Mayor_Linda_Gorton_BADC_2023

This partnership is focused on attracting agtech companies to Lexington and all of Kentucky. Lexington and Kentucky have all of the ingredients to become a major hub for high-tech innovation in agriculture, attracting good jobs and new companies to our city.

Mayor Linda Gorton, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government

Dr_Ryan_Quarles_BADC_2023

We believe that Kentucky can step up to the challenges facing our agriculture communities and become the agriculture hub of technology and innovation in the United States.

Dr. Ryan Quarles, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner

Dean_Nancy_Cox_BADC_2023

A vibrant agtech hub will provide more opportunities for new research collaborations and innovations and for UK graduates to stay in Kentucky and work in new agriculture-based companies.

Dr. Nancy Cox, Vice President for Land-grant Engagement and Dean, University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Dr_Mark_Lyons_BADC_2023

With the formation of the Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp, we are taking a significant step forward in creating an ecosystem for agri–food innovation that builds upon Kentucky’s best attributes.

Dr. Mark Lyons, President and CEO, Alltech

Partners

Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp is an initiative of these Kentucky civic, educational and business leaders:

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KY-Dept-of-Ag
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KY-Dept-of-Ag
UK-CAFE
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