Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell has announced that drivers can now show their appreciation for the state’s agriculture community with a new “Friends of Agriculture” special license plate now available for all vehicles.
The new plate became available after House Bill 157, sponsored by Reps. Ken Upchurch, Adam Moore, and Mitch Whitaker passed during the 2025 legislative session. This legislation expanded eligibility for agricultural special license plates, which were previously only available to owners of qualified farm vehicles.
According to officials, the “Friends of Agriculture” plate does not replace the farm plate. The new plate is an additional way for individuals to show their pride in Kentucky agriculture, but don’t qualify for the farm plate.
FFA and 4-H members statewide submitted designs for the new plate, which ultimately features scenic rolling hills and farmland and includes an image of the United States flag in the corner.
State ag officials said the design was inspired by artwork submitted by two students: 16-year-old Caden Penn, a sophomore and FFA member at Crittenden County High School, and 16-year-old Alyssa Woodard, a sophomore and FFA and 4-H Club member at Henderson County High School. Both students received a $250 award for their contributions.
Penn, son of Jessica and Brian Penn, said in a release he was excited to use his graphic design skills to create a license plate that he could put on his own truck.
Meanwhile, Woodard, daughter of Heather and Bill Woodard, included the American flag in her design, saying she loves the meaning behind it and its classic red, white, and blue color scheme.
A $10 fee from each special plate sale or renewal supports the “Ag Tag” fund, which is divided equally by Kentucky 4-H, FFA, and the Department of Agriculture.
Over the years, the $10 donations from Kentucky’s farm license plates have raised millions for the Ag Tag fund, supporting 4-H camp scholarships, FFA community programs, and leadership opportunities for youth across the state.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture uses its share to fund programs like Ag Athlete of the Year, the Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award, Women in Agriculture, agricultural research, and school meal initiatives.
Proceeds from the new plate, available to all drivers, will support the same programs as traditional “Ag Tag” funds.
The new plate, which can be personalized, is available for purchase at County Clerk offices statewide or through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s website.
