News Release 4-23-07
Contact: The Center for Rural Development, Stuart Arnold: (606)677-6155 or sarnold@centertech.com

Mitchell joins Center for Rural Development as director of agriculture outreach

Harvey Mitchell has joined The Center for Rural Development in the new position of director of agriculture outreach, according to an announcement made by The Center this week.

Mitchell, a native of Caldwell County, accepted the new position after completing seventeen successful years as general manager over Anderson Circle Farm; a premier 7,000-acre cattle farm located in Mercer County near Harrodsburg, Ky.

“Through two years of regional forums across Southern and Eastern Kentucky, The Center learned that some of the most consistently listed concerns relate to agricultural and rural development issues – and rightly so,” says Mitchell. “The economic future of our state is directly linked to agriculture, and our 42-county region of Southern and Eastern Kentucky comprises more than one-third of the state. The success of our region is a determining factor in the future success of the state as a whole.”

“I see my first-year priorities as two-fold,” continues Mitchell. “Job one is an assessment of the current economic status of agriculture in our region. We will identify what programming is working and what programming is not and renew or replace as needed. Job two is taking a lead role in the process of building bridges between the numerous ag resources and the farm community. There are many organizations, associations, institutions and a multitude of programs provided by each that could be of tremendous benefit to the Kentucky farmer, but we need someone to ‘connect the dots’ and help connect the programs to the producers.”

Center for Rural Development President and CEO Lonnie Lawson is excited about the addition of Mitchell and the renewed emphasis on agriculture at The Center. Lawson, who also works his own farm, feels fortunate to have someone of Mitchell’s experience on board. “Harvey’s unique perspective comes from his range of experience. He has been a successful farm manager and has also served as the Kentucky Department of Agriculture Chief of Staff for three years. His experience in and knowledge of banking and finance, along with his leadership roles in many state and national agriculture associations, makes him an ideal fit for this new position.”

Mitchell’s office will be located at The Center for Rural Development headquarters in Somerset and will serve as his base of operations for his efforts across The Center’s 42-county primary service area in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. Mitchell can be reached by phone at (606) 677-6000 or e-mail at hmitchell@centertech.com. Information on The Center for Rural Development and Center’s agriculture committee can be found by visiting www.centertech.com and clicking on the homepage “committees” link.