People listen as Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer speaks during the ÒConnecting Farm$ toLocal Market$Ó conference at the National Corvette Museum Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, in Bowling Green, Ky. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Daily News)

Kentucky farmers play an important role in driving the state’s economy and could play an even larger role by increasing production, according to state Agriculture Commissioner James Comer.

Kentucky’s farm cash receipts were at a record $4.9 billion for 2011, according to newly released statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Nearly two-thirds of that money came from the sale of agriculture items other than row crops and hay.

“We have the capacity to significantly grow more food than we are now,” Comer said.

But it’s important that farmers have markets for what they do grow, he said.

That was among the messages that Comer brought to the Connecting Farm$ to Local Market$ conference Friday at the National Corvette Museum.

The event was sponsored by University of Kentucky’s Cooperative Extension Service, Louisville Farm to Table and Kentucky Proud.

The conference was about connecting small producers with wholesalers, restaurants and others who can help provide a reliable market for their products, Comer said.

“There has been a lot of talk about this, but this is really the first time we’ve had a conference like this in this area,” Comer said.

Sam and Brenda Coffey of Bowling Green said they have been to a few conferences elsewhere and were pleased to see one take place here.

Brenda Coffey said it seemed that the companies represented were serious about using local farm products.

The Coffeys grow a variety of produce and started selling last year at the Community Farmers Market. “We were just starting out and so were they, so we’ve sort of grown up together,” Brenda Coffey said.

The Coffeys planted two-thirds of an acre in produce the first year, and this year they have 2.5 acres and have ordered a high tunnel to extend their growing season, Sam Coffey said.

Brenda Coffey said she’s hopeful to have produce to sell at least through Thanksgiving. But now the Community Farmers Market will be open year-round. She’s not sure if their produce will last through the winter.

“It just depends on the kind of conditions we have,” she said.

The Coffeys are hoping to do more business outside of just the farmers market.

That’s also the case with Andre Barbour, who along with his brothers and parents operates a farm in Canmer.

They have a little bit of everything from livestock to produce.

“We mostly do farmers markets, and last week we had our first sale with the local school,” Barbour said. “But farmers markets are time-consuming, and we are looking for a way to move produce faster and be more consistent in terms of markets.”

Nathan Troyer of Allen County was at the conference with a few of the 100 or so Mennonite produce growers in Allen County.

Troyer said they already ship a great deal of produce out of state and are interested in finding more in-state markets.

“It makes a lot of sense,” Troyer said of the local movement.

Scott Bouldin, who made a presentation from Kentucky Farm Bureau about insurance protection, said it’s important to him to know where his food comes from, something you can do when you buy local.

Having quality farmers, Comer said, is a cog in the national defense wheel. Because having a safe food supply is key in having a strong national defense, he said.

Lisa Davis, director of the Barren River Lake State Resort Park, came to the meeting to meet farmers who might supply the park with more local products.

Davis said buying local not only boosts the local economy, but it makes for a better dining experience for customers.

Jeff Natcher, director of procurement at Southern Foods, said he is a strong believer in supporting the local economy, which for his company is statewide.

But Natcher said they currently purchase most of their produce from other states.

Ryan Gregory of Monticello talked to Natcher about the possibility of supplying sausage for the company.

Gregory said his sausage is currently in nine Save-A-Lot stores and soon will be in a total of 20.

Josh Poling, owner of Home Cafe & Marketplace in Bowling Green, catered the Kentucky Proud Plate It Up luncheon for the group.

Local foods will be the highlight of a conference Oct. 24: Food Day at Western Kentucky University’s L.D. Brown Exposition Center.

Poling frequently uses local ingredients in his Bowling Green restaurant, and Friday’s meal contained all local products such as beef, bison and produce.

Comer bragged that his new favorite food item was going to be the jalapeno grits that were on the menu.

Robert Stupar, co-owner of Brickyard in Bowling Green and Franklin, was one of the roundtable presenters. Stupar said he already uses local produce in the summer months, such as asparagus, tomatoes and basil.

“Homegrown is usually much better,” Stupar told one area farmer.

He was looking to connect with some local meat producers, something he was able to do Friday.

“It’s really important for everyone to participate,” Stupar said of the Farm-to-Table movement. “We can try to make the local economy richer and stronger.”

Stupar said the people he purchases vegetables from may have a direct or indirect impact on his business.

“I pay them for vegetables and they may turn around and spend that money in my restaurant or spend it with someone who spends money in my restaurant,” he said. “It’s all connected.”

— For more information visit kyproud.com, www.louisvillefarmtotable.org. or www.communityfarmersmarketbg.com/food-day.html.