USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan delivered the keynote address at the 2011 Governor's Office Ag Policy (GOAP) Conference held in Bowling Green in February. The Deputy Secretary encouraged Kentucky's farmers to help expand foreign markets and to out-innovate the competitors. "When agriculture benefits, when rural America benefits, society benefits," Merrigan told the crowd of over 300. "Agriculture is the only export with a surplus and farm exports are projected to reach $126.5 million for the current federal fiscal year. During his State of the Union address, President Obama called for the nation to out innovate the rest of the world. In agriculture, we will do that through open markets. The nation is changing its approach to trade and will begin customizing its approach, focusing on specific market areas." Merrigan also stated that science has pushed agriculture so that output is 158 percent over the 1948 level. "The President has challenged us and I think Kentucky is ready. Kentucky is well poised to take on the challenge."

The conference, a joint effort between the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board and the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation, brought state and Federal agricultural leaders and others together to exchange ideas and learn about opportunities created by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund and the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation loan programs. Governor Steve Beshear gave an overview of the 2010 accomplishments of the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board and the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation.

John McCauley gave an overview of FSA programs at the afternoon breakout session. McCauley stressed the importance of working with the Governor and his team at the Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy. McCauley also discussed Kathleen Merrigan's leadership in Washington, D.C. and how her role is important to Kentucky's farmers.