Kentucky

State Plant Health Director

Directs federal APHIS-PPQ pest detection and regulatory activities in cooperation with state officials, and coordinate the initial PPQ emergency response if an exotic pest is detected in the state.

State Plant Regulatory Official

Joe Collins, (859) 257-5838

Serves on the National Plant Board, oversees state pest detection and regulatory activities and coordinates survey activities between government agencies, public and private organizations. Coordinates the state’s initial emergency response if an exotic pest is detected.

State Survey Coordinator

Janet Lensing, (859) 218-3342

Coordinates CAPS survey planning, execution and reporting as well as community outreach activities.

Pest Survey Specialist

Rachel Braud, (304) 343-8591

Provides technical support in planning, executing and reporting annual surveys and coordinates pest detection activities with neighboring states.

8/2020 - Officials worry mystery seeds from China could be harmful to Indiana crops
8/2020 - USDA Provides List of Locations by State Where Public Can Mail Unsolicited Seed Packages
8/2020 - USDA Seeks Help from Citizens to Collect Unsolicited Seeds Packages
8/2020 - Poison hemlock and wild parsnip, A couple of bad actors
7/2020 - Unsolicited seeds could wreak havoc on agriculture, environment, state officials warn
10/2019 - Tropical Soda Apple: An invasive plant threat found in Hoptown
9/2019 - Rethinking Seed Treatments
8/2019 - Pesky emerald ash borers killing local ash trees
6/2019 - Introduction of boxwood blight
6/2019 - UK Plant Pathologist To Kentucky Farmers: Check For Head Scab On Crops