[LEXINGTON, Ky.] — Celebrate Irish culture with festive music, dancing, food and fun this Saturday at the Alltech Lexington St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival in downtown Lexington.

“We’re beyond thrilled to welcome the community to share St. Patrick’s weekend with us,” said Megan Moloney, president of the Bluegrass Irish Society and parade chair. “We’re ready to turn the bluegrass green.”

The begins at 8:30 a.m. with the Lexington Habitat for Humanity’s 18th Annual Shamrock Shuffle 3K, returning this year to downtown Lexington. Proceeds from the race help local families who need affordable housing. Click here to learn more and register for the race.

At 10:45 a.m. at the Henry A. Tandy Centennial Plaza (formerly the Fifth Third Pavilion), Father Norman Fischer will perform the traditional “blessing of the keg” of beer from Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.

An exciting lineup of performers will take the stage from 11:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., including:

• Bluegrass Ceili Academy, Lexington’s community Irish dance academy, showcasing the power and grace of traditional footwork.
• Liam’s Fancy, a talented local group that blends traditional Irish tunes with contemporary flair, creating a unique and unforgettable sound.
• William Sutherland Reid Pipes and Drums, which will deliver a powerful performance with the stirring sounds of bagpipes and drums.
• McTeggart Irish Dancers, an energetic dance troupe that showcases the beauty and athleticism of Irish dance. Their energetic performances are a St. Patrick’s Day tradition.
• Kentucky United Pipes and Drums, a band that honors the Celtic arts and traditions through public performances and by teaching Highland bag piping and Scottish-style pipe band drumming.
• Celtic Blue, world-class musicians who bring the energy of Irish pub music to the stage with a repertoire of classic and contemporary tunes.
• Draper Family Band, whose blend of traditional Irish music and bluegrass influences creates a unique and memorable experience.

The parade begins at 1 p.m. and goes down Main Street from Midland Avenue to Mill Street. This year’s grand marshal is Sandra Reid, pipe major of the William Sutherland Reid Pipes and Drums, which has led the parade every year since it was founded in 1980.

The Alltech Lexington St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival is Lexington’s longest-running civic event. Sponsored by Alltech and the Bluegrass Irish Society, the parade and festival are produced by the Lexington Division of Parks and Recreation with community support from local businesses and cultural organizations. Alltech has sponsored the parade since its inception.

“The Lexington St. Patrick’s Day Festival and Parade is a lovely celebration of Irish culture,” said Deirdre Lyons, Alltech cofounder and director of corporate image and design.

The Bluegrass Irish Society formed in 1980 to celebrate and maintain interest in Irish culture. One of its first events was the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade gained instant credibility when then Gov. John Y. Brown and first lady Phyllis George Brown cosponsored it and arranged to have Ed McMahon from the Johnny Carson Show to serve as the first grand marshal.

The group aims to connect Irish and Kentucky culture and provide a focal point in the region for those interested in Ireland and its traditions.

“Listen to the fiddlers in Eastern Kentucky or the clog dancers and you will hear the refrains of Irish jigs and reels,” the Bluegrass Irish Society says on its website. “Kentuckians have long shared, among other things, their love for horses, music and bourbon whiskey-making with the Irish.”

More than $12 million has been awarded since the program began in 2006

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – The University of Kentucky Singletary Center for the Arts was alive with music and hope Sunday as 14 talented vocalists competed in the finals of the 19th annual Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition. The event awarded more than $700,000 in scholarships and prizes and the opportunity to attend the University of Kentucky as part of the UK Opera Theatre program.

Judges selected multiple winners in undergraduate and graduate categories. In addition to cash prizes, winners received scholarships to attend UK, including some full-tuition awards.

The winners of the 2024 Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition are:

Undergraduate student winners

• Pearse and Deirdre Lyons First-Place Undergraduate Award and Scholarship — Ella Clark, Lexington, Ky. This prize includes a full-tuition scholarship to pursue a bachelor’s degree in music at UK.
• Bryant’s Rent-All and KLPMG Second-Place Undergraduate Award and Scholarship — Evan Stuart, Fort Thomas, Ky. This prize includes a full-tuition scholarship to pursue a bachelor’s degree in music at UK.
• Alltech Feed Division Third-Place Undergraduate Award and Scholarship — Amiah Coriano, Louisville, Ky.
• Alltech Crop Science Undergraduate Encouragement Award — Hayden Longbottom, Cincinnati.
• Barbara Rouse Kentucky Prize — William Darragh, Lexington, Ky.

Graduate student winners

• Pearse and Deirdre Lyons First-Place Graduate Award and Graduate Assistantship — Dylon Crain, Louisville, Ky. This prize includes a full graduate assistantship to pursue a master’s degree in music or a doctoral degree in musical arts at UK and a yearly graduate stipend with UK Opera Theatre.

• Alltech and Stand Energy Second-Place Graduate Award — Tie: Mariah Graves, Humble, Texas; and Yoo Jin Lee, Seoul, Korea.
• Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation Third-Place Graduate Award — Nidia Guevara-Nolasco, Angleton, Texas.
• Encore Excellence Graduate Award — Brandon Whitish, Fennimore, Wisconsin.
• Gail Robinson Performance Graduate Award — Kyle McCurley, Toccoa, Georgia.
• Reginald Smith Jr. Encouragement Award — Mariah Graves, Humble, Texas.
• Opera LEX Victoria Meyers Graduate Award — Judd Blake, Hopewell, Virginia.
• American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) tuition stipend — Brandon Whitish, Fennimore, Wisconsin; Mariah Graves, Yoo Jin Lee and Judd Blake. AIMS, located in Graz, Austria, is the leading summer music program in Europe, a one-of-a-kind experience designed to prepare students for careers as professional musicians.

Finalists were scored based on their voice, technical skill, interpretation and accuracy by five judges:

• David Craig Starkey, general director of the Indianapolis Opera, Indiana’s oldest professional opera company. He is also CEO of the Basile Opera Center. He has a diverse career spanning all aspects of opera, operetta and musical theatre.
• Darryl Taylor, founder of the African American Art Song Alliance. He was recently inducted to the American Academy of Teachers of Singing and served as a master teacher for the NATS Intern Program in 2022.
• Dr. Thomas King, a tenor who has sung more than 50 roles in opera, operetta and musicals over the course of his career. King has taught private voice at Austin Peay State University, DePauw University and Indiana University Jacobs School. He also taught at the American Institute of Musical studies in Graz, Austria, for 25 years and served as its artistic director for seven years before retiring in 2010.
• Barbara Lynne Jamison, general director of the Kentucky Opera. In her role, she has introduced a groundbreaking, community-led approach to producing mainstage opera that has resulted in increased diversity both onstage and in the audience.
• Andrew Crooks, head of the music staff at Cincinnati Opera. He also serves as a visiting assistant professor and opera coach at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and as a visiting coach for the Aotearoa New Zealand Opera Studio (TANZOS).

The Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition, one of the largest competitions of its kind in the world, has enabled nearly 200 undergraduate and graduate students to pursue an education in the arts and advance their vocal expertise with some of the leading scholars and artists in the opera world. The competition has awarded more than $12 million in UK scholarships and prizes since it began in 2006. 

“Our family has long believed in the power of the arts to foster creativity, ignite imagination and promote healing,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “This one-of-a-kind competition, and the talented singers who participate in it, are excellent reminders that there are always reasons to sing and to dream.”

In addition to performing at UK, the Alltech Vocal Scholars infuse art into our community throughout the year with performances such as “A Grand Night for Singing” and the annual Alltech Celebration of Song, a free holiday concert at Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Learn more about the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition and watch the livestream of this year’s competition at alltech.com/vocal.

Ella Clark of Lexington, Ky., won the Pearse and Deirdre Lyons First-Place Undergraduate Award and Scholarship on Sunday, March 3 at 19th annual Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition. Shown with her are Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, and Mrs. Deirdre Lyons, co-founder of Alltech.

[LEXINGTON, Kentucky] — Alltech presented a $100,000 check on Thursday to GreenHouse17, an advocacy agency and emergency shelter in Central Kentucky committed to ending intimate partner abuse.

The donation was made possible by the success of Alltech’s second annual Make a Difference Golf Scramble and matching funds from the Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the philanthropic endeavors of Alltech and the Lyons family.

Alltech and the Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation are longtime supporters of GreenHouse17 and its mission to support survivors of intimate partner violence.

“A contribution to GreenHouse17 creates a home for healing and regeneration, as well as the ability to serve thousands of survivors each year through legal advocacy, affordable housing assistance, children’s safe exchange and visitation, and countless other services,” said Deirdre Lyons, Alltech’s co-founder and director of corporate image, design and construction.

For nearly 20 years, GreenHouse17 has offered crisis intervention and stabilization services for those harmed by intimate partner abuse in 17 Kentucky counties. Situated on 40 acres in rural Fayette County, GreenHouse17 provides shelter for about 6,000 people every year. Of these 40 acres, a portion of the land serves as a therapeutic farm, where residents grow produce and flowers — and connect with nature as part of their healing process. Opportunities to help on the farm allow survivors to develop new skills that will assist them in rebuilding their lives.

Through these efforts, a thriving social enterprise has been established in which survivors help grow flowers that are sold in the community and create handcrafted items like soaps, bath salts, candles and lip balms. They sell them online and at pop-up shops and festivals.

GreenHouse17 not only empowers survivors but plays an important role in raising awareness about intimate partner abuse, which affects people from all walks of life. It provides an avenue for survivors to seek help without shame and reminds them “that they are much more than what has happened to them,” said Darlene Thomas, executive director of GreenHouse17.

“We help survivors of domestic violence move from crisis to self-sufficiency, but we can’t do it alone. It must be a community effort,” Thomas said. “Alltech has been tremendous in its support of our program and its growth. We’ve never received a donation close to this amount in nearly 20 years. We are blessed that Alltech is willing to invest in helping vulnerable people.”

“GreenHouse17 saves and transforms lives,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “We are honored to be able to support Darlene and her team in their mission to provide a safe community for abuse survivors to grow strong in body and in mind.  Our partnership goes beyond the funds we can donate but extends to exchanging ideas around future fundraising opportunities and business outlets that help to further their mission, which we profoundly believe in.”

Watch this video to learn more about GreenHouse17.

[LEXINGTON, Kentucky] – ‘Tis the season for holiday cheer at the Kentucky Horse Park, where two festive traditions offer up the brightest sights and sounds of the season.

Set against a backdrop of beautiful Christmas décor, Alltech’s 18th annual Celebration of Song features performances of popular Christmas music and traditional carols by the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre and winners of the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition. The free concert is set for Dec. 10 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. Doors open at 3 p.m.; parking is free.

Nearly 40 singers will perform at the event, accompanied by a professional orchestra, and audience members will be invited to sing along during classic Christmas favorites.

Celebration of Song has been Alltech’s annual holiday gift to the community since 2006. Alltech founder Dr. Pearse Lyons was inspired to share the holiday spirit through song after experiencing a community Christmas festival while traveling in Brazil, said his wife, Deirdre Lyons, Alltech co-founder and director of corporate image, design and construction.

“Every year, Celebration of Song gets more wonderful. It’s a beautiful event that we’ve been proud to sponsor for our community,” Deirdre Lyons said. “We’re excited to celebrate the holidays with our community and with UK Opera Theatre, with whom we partner on several events, including our Vocal Scholarship Competition. This collaboration has enabled more than 190 UK students to pursue their musical ambitions and receive an education in the arts.”

“Christmas is about bringing families together, bringing communities together and celebrating the love and joy of the season,” said Dr. Everett McCorvey, UK Opera Theatre Director. “This is our gift to you.”

Attendees can close out the evening with a drive through the Southern Lights Holiday Festival, a dazzling three-mile display of over a million twinkling lights. This Christmas tradition is celebrating its 30th year at the Kentucky Horse Park. It operates nightly from 5:30 to 10 p.m. through Dec. 31 — excluding Christmas Day.

Tickets for Southern Lights can be purchased online or at the campground. Learn more about Southern Lights at SouthernLightsKY.com.

[LEXINGTON, Kentucky] — This year, as the month of November and the Thanksgiving holiday approached, Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, and his team decided to do something different to show their gratitude.

Inspired by the No-Shave November movement, they created the Lyons Mane Charitable Challenge, which invites participants to grow a beard or mustache during the month of November to raise funds for six cancer and mental health charities from around the world. Mark was first to sign up. He has been joined by several Alltech team members from around the world who have put down the shaving cream and asked their friends and family to donate.

But the Lyons Mane Charitable Challenge is not just about growing a beard, and it is open to anyone who wants to participate. The initiative invites everyone to take on their own 30-day challenge. Participants have committed to running 100 miles, reading 10 books, practicing a foreign language and tracking their spending to increase their savings. One Alltech team member in Portugal committed to cutting her hair at the end of the challenge and donating it to the Little Princess Trust, a nonprofit in the U.K. that makes wigs for children who have lost their hair during cancer treatment. It is one of the charities being supported by the Lyons Mane Charitable Challenge.

Another team member, herself a brain cancer survivor, shared her cancer journey and committed to raising funds by performing acts of kindness for 30 days. So far, she’s raised $650.

By mid-November, the challenge had met its original fundraising goal of $10,000, so they increased it to $15,000. It’s something his father, Alltech founder Dr. Pearse Lyons, would have done, Mark said.

“When you get close to the goal, you move the posts,” he said. “There is never a destination when it comes to the impact we can make. It has been fantastic to see the engagement of the global team around this initiative. Awareness is the true positive outcome we are achieving here.”

In just over a week, they surpassed the $15,000 goal and increased the goal again — to $20,000.

Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, has been growing a beard as part of the Lyons Mane Charitable Challenge, which invites participants to grow a beard or mustache during the month of November — or take on a 30-day challenge of their choosing — to raise funds for cancer and mental health charities around the world. He is shown here speaking Monday, Nov. 27 at Alltech ONE Dubai, the final stop of the Alltech ONE World Tour in 2023.

The funds raised will be donated through the Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the philanthropic endeavors of Alltech and the Lyons family, which are often focused on agriculture, education and supporting communities in need. The foundation has supported numerous large-scale projects, including three primary schools in Haiti that ensure the education of more than 1,200 children, and the construction of over a dozen state-of-the-art science laboratories at primary schools in Kentucky and Ireland.

The Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation also supports the Alltech-University of Kentucky Vocal Scholarship Competition, one of the largest competitions of its kind in the world; GreenHouse17, a Kentucky organization that provides resources to survivors of partner abuse; on-the-ground disaster relief in communities around the world; and programs that address the urgent needs of farmers and their communities amid natural disasters.

Donations to the Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation are matched, which means every dollar donated can make an even greater impact.

In addition to the Little Princess Trust, the Lyons Mane Charitable Challenge will benefit:

• Pieta (Ireland), a mental health/self-harm/suicide awareness and support organization
• National Breast Cancer Foundation (U.S.), which provides early detection, education and support services to those affected by breast cancer
• Do More Agriculture Foundation (Canada), an organization that champions the mental well-being of those in the Canadian agriculture industry
• Prostate Cancer Foundation (U.S.), the leading organization dedicated to funding life-saving prostate cancer research
• Cactus Instituto (Brazil), a nonprofit philanthropic and human rights entity that works to expand care in disease prevention and mental health promotion in Brazil.

“These global health challenges affect millions of us around the world, and I personally felt the impact of both more this past year than any other,” Mark said. “We have invited everyone to commit to a challenge of their choice, and we have been overwhelmed by the generosity and response of our friends, family and communities.”

Even though November is drawing to a close, it is not too late to join the challenge — or cheer on its participants by donating through their individual challenge page. And Tuesday, Nov. 28 is a perfect day to donate: It’s Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement that encourages people to support and contribute to charitable causes. It takes place each year after Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Visit the Lyons Mane website to learn more and make a donation.

The Alltech ONE World Tour (ONE), a series of international events bringing the ideas and inspiration of the annual Alltech ONE Conference to the world, resumed today in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. ONE Dubai welcomed international attendees to explore collaborative solutions to the greatest challenges facing the agri-food industry in the Middle East, Africa and beyond.

For the past 38 years, the Alltech ONE Conference has been held in Lexington, Kentucky, the home of Alltech’s global headquarters. In 2023, however, the company — a global leader in the field of agriculture — is bringing the conference to its partners, customers, suppliers and friends around the world, providing the opportunity for more people than ever to experience the power of ONE.

“As our customers and partners continue to face many challenges and uncertainties, we determined that 2023 would be dedicated to meeting them in their markets,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “This special edition of the ONE endeavors to deliver global expertise to locally relevant issues. In the midst of economic and political uncertainties that fuel regionalization, this ONE reflects the responsibility we have as a global company to be a connector of people and ideas, ever advancing our purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™.”

Alltech ONE Dubai features discussions led by local and international experts about the latest trends in sustainable agricultural, animal nutrition and business, including presentations from Dr. Lyons; Tara McCarthy, global vice president of ESG at Alltech; Sheikh Dr. Majid Al Qassimi, founding partner at Soma Mater; and Gerald Kiernan, general manager of dairy farms, Emirates Food Industries (EFI).

In his opening remarks, Dr. Lyons welcomed delegates to Dubai to discuss agriculture’s role in saving the planet.

“Agriculture can transform things in ways that other industries cannot and we are at the interface of nourishing the present and preserving the future,” he said. “Our belief is that agriculture has the greatest potential to positively influence the future of our planet, provide nutrition for all, help rural communities thrive and replenish our planet’s resources.”

Alltech recently released the results of the Alltech Sustainability Insights report, and McCarthy discussed those findings in further detail during her presentation.

“Our industry is navigating unprecedented disruption yet remains confident and committed to evolving toward a more sustainable food system,” she said. “The key to success will be the development of innovative solutions, but even more critical is the capacity of the industry to work together across the value chain.”

Sheikh Dr. Majid Al Qassimi focused on how the UAE is making food and agriculture systems more equitable, accessible and sustainable.

"For the National Farms Sustainability Initiative, it wasn’t enough to have our own farms start, but to ensure that we start with sustainability in mind,” he said. “Today, more than ever, consumers want to see sustainability in all their products, including their food.”

Kiernan spoke about Alltech’s and EFI’s recent Planet of Plenty™ partnership with National Dairy Farms and Masakin Dairy Farms, two prominent companies owned by EFI, to bring leading-edge carbon footprint benchmarking and methane-reducing technologies to the Middle East.

“With growing concerns about climate change, companies worldwide are under increasing pressure to adopt eco-conscious practices,” said Kiernan. “As industry leaders, National and Masakin recognize the importance of curbing greenhouse gas emissions and setting new sustainability benchmarks.”

Kiernan’s comments were echoed by Paul McVeigh, regional manager for Alltech in the Middle East.

“The solidification of many years of collaboration with EFI in a Planet of Plenty Partnership represents the goals of the wider global Alltech family,” said McVeigh. “This partnership illustrates what is possible in the Middle East region when companies join forces toward a single goal, and we are dedicated to supporting them with the best available nutritional technologies to achieve more milk while reducing their environmental footprint.”

As ONE Dubai continues, delegates will hear from industry experts on various topics, including ruminant and poultry sessions focused on mycotoxin management, calf nutrition, dairy farming waste management, egg quality and mineral management, as well as carbon policies.

The Alltech ONE World Tour will continue with international stops in 2024, uniting changemakers and thought leaders throughout the global ag value chain to explore opportunities for agriculture. For more information and to register for an Alltech ONE World Tour stop, visit one.alltech.com.

Alltech, a leading global animal health and nutrition company, is celebrating 30 years of operations in Brazil and Peru. Alltech’s foundation and growth in South America is linked to the vision of its late founder, Dr. Pearse Lyons, to support the success of agricultural producers and improve the health and performance of the animal, consumer and environment through nutrition and scientific innovation.

“My father saw a lot of potential when he visited South America in the early 1990s,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “He understood that countries like Brazil and Peru would become key markets for agriculture and established our offices. Over the past 30 years, we have continued our development through new investments, construction of new manufacturing plants, acquisitions and organic growth.”

Brazil is the company’s third-largest market in the world and is home to six manufacturing facilities and 1,356 team members. Dr. Mark Lyons led the team in Brazil during construction of Alltech’s largest yeast fermentation plant for animal and agricultural nutrition. Located in São Pedro do Ivaí, Paraná, the plant began operating in 2007 and exports products to 80 countries. Today with 270 employees, the facility produces yeast solutions (Mycosorb®, Bio-Mos®, Actigen®, Nupro®, Bioplex® and Sel-Plex®), organic acids, non-protein nitrogen (Optigen®) and other blends. In 2022, it received the “A” certification of the Paraná Climate Seal from the state government for voluntarily reducing its carbon footprint and adhering to the State Public Registry of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions to combat climate change.

Alltech Crop Science, initially called Improcrop, started its activities in Brazil in 2000. In 2016, the Alltech Crop Science plant in Uberlândia, MG was launched. Alltech Brazil continued to expand and in 2018, the administrative headquarters of Alltech Brazil, which had operated in Araucária, in Greater Curitiba, was transferred to Maringá, Paraná. Then in 2019, Alltech acquired Guabi, a producer of high-quality feed and premix for a variety of species at four manufacturing facilities in Brazil.

“We started as an innovative company in a consolidated market, but we grew along with Brazil’s search for the international market,” said Paulo Rigolin, Alltech’s vice president for Latin America. “Alltech’s culture fits very well with the Brazilian one; we have learned how to use technologies and global knowledge to adapt to the reality of our customers. It is a very successful story.” 

Alltech began operations in Peru in June 1993, in an office located in the Lima district of Miraflores with four employees. Today, this team has grown to 17 top-level professionals, who are responsible for meeting the needs of Peruvian agricultural producers, both in terms of optimizing animal nutrition and health and maximizing crop yields. Alltech Crop Science began its commercial activities in Peru in 2018. Today, these solutions help address the main challenges of local farmers in the production of blueberries, grapes, avocados, among other products.

"We are very pleased to have supported Peruvian producers over the past 30 years to address their main challenges through Alltech solutions and services that are backed by more than 40 years of research and proven effectiveness," said Luiz Folgate, general manager of Alltech Peru. "Today's challenges for the industry are increasingly diverse, complex and unpredictable, so we will continue to contribute to a more efficient agriculture sector and Alltech’s purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™."

“We are celebrating the first 30 years, but we are already thinking about the next 30 years and the opportunities to continue supporting Brazilian and Peruvian agribusinesses as they positively impact the communities in which we live and work,” said Dr. Mark Lyons. “We export our technologies globally, but we are also very well aligned with the needs of local producers, providing natural solutions and supporting them to be competitive in the world market.”

For more information, visit Alltech.com.

Alltech is one of four partners supporting the development of an innovation ecosystem for entrepreneurs

[LEXINGTON, Kentucky] — Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp on Wednesday launched a new incentive program designed to encourage ag-tech and food-based businesses to locate in Kentucky.

“We want to become the international address of ag-tech businesses,” said Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton. “As the expertise within our Bluegrass AgTech partnership demonstrates, with this grant program, we’ve got everything a new business needs to be successful in ag-tech or food-based technology.”

Bluegrass AgTech, which is cultivating an innovation ecosystem for entrepreneurs and startups in the agricultural sector, is a partnership among City of Lexington, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, and Alltech.

“As a founding member of the Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp, we are excited to harness UK’s success in research innovation to advance both economic development and the success of Kentucky’s farm and food sectors,” said Dr. Nancy Cox, vice president of land-grant engagement and dean of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.

Through its challenge grant program, Bluegrass AgTech will connect agricultural innovators with both public and private funding sources and incentives, attracting new agri-food and agri-business companies to Kentucky, boosting the economy, and unlocking a more affordable, nutritious and environmentally sustainable food future for Kentucky and beyond.

“Alltech is proud to support Bluegrass AgTech’s mission to transform Kentucky into the agricultural technology capital of the United States,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, a global company focused on improving the health and performance of people, animals and plants through nutrition and scientific innovation.

“For us, this project started years ago, when my father, Dr. Pearse Lyons, saw the potential ag-tech could bring to his adopted home here in Central Kentucky,” said Lyons, who serves as chair of the Bluegrass AgTech board of directors. “Bluegrass AgTech’s innovation ecosystem will lead to the development of technologies that boost productivity and profitability for farmers, support advancements in environmental sustainability, and achieve greater nutrition and food security. These technologies will be highly relevant to our traditional Kentucky ag sectors and those that will emerge in the future.” 

Bob Helton, executive director of Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp, said the challenge grants offer incentive funding, valuable resources and promotional opportunities.

“We hope to add additional partners to the organization so we can continue to grow the program,” Helton said.

Each applicant may apply for up to $100,000 of grant funding in the first year of the program. Selected grant recipients will also be offered resource support, such as mentorship, referrals to professional services, connections to local growers and research teams, and other business development assistance.

Applicants must be able to provide a 100% match. The program is open to registered, for-profit businesses currently located in or willing to establish a presence in Lexington or Kentucky, with an emphasis on startups and early-stage businesses. Applications, available here, must be completed by March 1, 2024.

Lexington contributed $1 million to establish the grants and get the partnership started. The state also provided $1 million through the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund.

“Kentucky’s world dominance in the horse industry, bourbon production, genetic progress in poultry, and sustainability advancements in no-till farming shows how impactful our agriculture community can be,” Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Ryan Quarles said. “We believe that Kentucky can step up to the challenges facing our agriculture communities and become the agriculture hub of technology and innovation in the United States. This is the next process to making that a reality. Our agriculture community and our state as a whole deserve that chance to make these great moves forward.”

Projects proposed for funding must address at least one of the following five focus areas:

• Solutions for Mid-Size Farming – Customizing technologies to support mid-sized farms
• Sustainable Food Systems – Driving diverse and sustainable agriculture ecosystems
• Food is Health – Addressing health needs through affordable and accessible nutrition
• Future-Proof Animal Protein – Building a protein-secure future for the world’s growing population
• Kentucky Traditions – Leveraging Kentucky’s equine, food and beverage expertise.

Learn more at bluegrassagtech.org.

Bob Helton is executive director of Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp.

[HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam] – Twenty-four chief executive officers (CEOs) from across the Vietnamese agri-food sector convened this week at the Alltech Vietnam Agri-food Summit in Ho Chi Minh City to discuss how to sustainably meet the challenges currently facing the industry.

Alltech invited the changemakers and thought leaders in attendance to share their insights on various critical topics, including consumer trends, agricultural technologies and the biggest opportunities for the Vietnamese market. The group also explored how the industry can continue to innovate and work together to nourish both people and the planet.

“Alltech is a connector of people and ideas,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “Through collective leadership and teamwork, we believe we can drive the industry forward with the shared purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™. But to achieve this vision, we will need curiosity, openness to new technologies and ways of working, and, above all, a commitment to positive impact.”

The Alltech Vietnam Agri-food Summit showcased a panel discussion moderated by Jonathan Forrest Wilson, president of Alltech Asia-Pacific. The panelists included Dr. Mark Lyons, Vy Thi Thu Hang, feed & nutrition director and CEO of Feedmill, TH Milk; Tara McCarthy, global vice president for ESG at Alltech; and Michael Joseph Sweeney, partner at Bluegrass Partners and director of strategy for Alltech Asia-Pacific.

The panel discussion delved into identifying and understanding the prominent shifts and hurdles affecting the agri-food industry in Vietnam at present, and key drivers behind these changes. Several attendees shared their viewpoints regarding the outlook for the agriculture and agri-food sector, expressing whether they hold an optimistic or pessimistic stance on its future trajectory globally and locally.

Over recent decades, Vietnam has developed into one of the world's leading agricultural powers, with a modern, efficient and environmentally friendly agricultural processing industry — and based on the most recent feed-production data, the country is demonstrating its potential.

According to the 2023 Alltech Agri-Food Outlook, the company’s annual global feed production survey, Vietnam experienced a significant increase in its feed tonnage in 2022 — which went up 27.72% to 26.72 million metric tons (MMT) — thanks to its strong recovery from African swine fever (ASF). This included a major increase of 3.78 MMT in its broiler feed tonnage and an increase of 3.36 MMT in its pig feed tonnage. As a result of these increases, Vietnam joined the list of the top 10 largest feed-producing countries in the world.

“Vietnam agri-food has a bright future and unlimited possibilities. As a major exporter of agri-food, Vietnam is an attractive market for both local and foreign investment,” said Forrest Wilson. “We will continue to provide local solutions with global resources and technologies for our partners and customers to develop a prosperous future together.”

Alltech began operating in Vietnam in 1994 and officially opened a representative office in Ho Chi Minh City in 2000. In the decades since, Alltech has fostered strong partnerships within the industry and the local community. Alltech Vietnam moved to Dong Nai in 2006, where its operations expanded with the construction of a production plant in Amata IP later that year.

In November of 2022, Alltech continued its investments in Vietnam with the opening of a trace-mineral manufacturing facility in Dong Nai to better serve its local customers and support imports and exports. Next month, Alltech will join the American Feed Industry Association and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in meetings to collaborate with the Vietnam Feed Association and Vietnam Animal Husbandry Association on biosecurity and immune health.

For more information, visit Alltech.com/Vietnam.

Climate change. Economic uncertainty. Geopolitical tensions. The challenges facing the global agriculture industry are intense, and many things are out of our control.

As we face these obstacles, however, we must remain optimistic and never be afraid to change, said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, in his keynote address last week at Alltech ONE Calgary.

“We must push forward and think about things in a different way,” Dr. Lyons said. “Change is the only constant. We must embrace and anticipate change and adjust our mindset to make sure we’re responding as the changes take place.”

That same message of the power of positivity was beautifully demonstrated by the event’s closing speaker, Chris Koch, a renowned motivational speaker who was raised in a small farming and ranching community in Alberta.

Despite being born without arms and legs, Chris leads a meaningful and fun life full of adventure and purpose. He is an avid traveler, marathoner, farmer, advocate and motivational speaker.

When Chris first came into the world, his family welcomed him with a sense of humor, kindness and positivity — qualities he grew up to possess in abundance.

Chris had a normal childhood. He went to a regular school, helped out at his grandfather’s farm and played all the same sports his friends were playing. He and his family did not let limitations or obstacles stand in the way of achieving his goals or dreams.

“I go as far as to say that my life growing up without arms and legs was actually quite easy, considering,” he said at Alltech ONE Calgary. “A lot of people find that surprising. How could it possibly be easy growing up without arms and legs?”

Chris was not raised with pity or sympathy. Neither he nor his family treated his disability like a tragedy. Because of that, young Chris developed a great sense of humor. He would crack a joke with strangers to break the ice or to put them at ease and see that he’s just a regular guy.

“I am a firm believer that laughter is the best medicine, and that mindset was started right from day one, the day I was born,” Chris said. “When my grandma heard that I was born missing arms and legs, her reaction was to say that my dad never finished anything he started. I could not have asked for a better start to life. Her reaction wasn’t, ‘Oh my goodness, this is a tragedy.’ Her reaction was ‘Everything is going to be fine, we’ll figure this out and we’re going to have some good laughs along the way.’ And we’ve done just that.”

Chris has learned to use humor — and the power of positivity — to take control of his life.

Here’s a look at the key lessons he shared at Alltech ONE Calgary as he encouraged attendees to challenge themselves and build the life they dream of.

Laughter is powerful.

“If you can’t laugh at life, what can you laugh at?” Chris asked. “We all have bad days. We’ve all had one of those days where absolutely nothing is going right. When you’re having one of those days, if you can find any reason to laugh, laugh it off. It helps you get over it a little bit quicker and it gives you some semblance if having control of what’s going on.”

Chris’ message, “If I can …,” resonates strongly with audiences all over the world. Laughter plays a huge role in the delivery of his inspirational and empowering story.

“When people first meet me, they’re not too sure how to react, how to respond. They don't want to say anything rude or inappropriate,” he said. “So, if I can crack a joke right from the get-go, it puts people at ease and they realize I'm just a regular guy, enjoying life and having fun.”

Take control of your life.

For Chris, growing up without arms and legs was normal.

“I’ve never known what it was like to have arms and legs. A lot of kids will ask me, ‘What does it feel like to not have arms and legs?’ And I ask them, ‘Well what does it feel like to have arms and legs?’”

Children with arms and legs figure out how to grasp things with their fingers and learn how to crawl on their hands and knees, and it just happens naturally, he said. It was the same for him, but he had to figure out how to do things just a bit differently. For example, instead of walking, Chris learned how to get around using a longboard.

“Certain day-to-day tasks require a lot more energy and take me a little bit longer, but I am completely, 100% independent and self-sufficient,” he said.

He credits his independence to his parents, who always let him do things for himself and resisted the urge to jump in and help. It allowed him to take control of his life.

“If they did everything for me, it would have robbed me of the opportunity to develop things like perseverance, resilience and clever, outside-of-the-box ways of doing things,” he said. “If you give a person an opportunity to prove what they could do, more often than not, they will shine and impress you.”

Go beyond your comfort zone.

Chris was raised in the small farming and ranching community of Nanton, Alberta. He loves agriculture and works as a freelance farmer. One of the aspects he enjoys most about farming is his ability to surprise and inspire others with his farm skills.

“It’s not a job people expect a guy without arms and legs to be doing. I love that wow factor,” Chris said. “I love proving to myself and others what I'm capable of doing. It’s a bonus if it makes them look within themselves and say, ‘Hey, if this guy is out there driving tractors, maybe I can raise the bar in my own life a little bit more.’” 

When he is not out in the field, Chris is on the road, sharing a message of hope and inspiration and his “If I can…” motto. He has traveled the world as a motivational speaker and adventurer, enjoying activities such as snowboarding, surfing, marathons and more.

“Absolutely anybody is capable of doing some pretty awesome and amazing things,” he said. “And that has nothing to do with arms or legs. It has nothing to do with physical ability. It has everything to do with that six inches of space between the ears.”

Our brain is the strongest muscle we have in our body. Koch suggests strengthening this muscle everyday by constantly taking yourself out of your comfort zone and raising the bar just a bit more each day.

Find the positives in life.

When bad days happen, instead of blaming it on something we can’t change, Chris suggests focusing on the things that are going well and being grateful for what you have. For him, that’s traveling, meeting new people, spending time with this family and working in agriculture.

“Every day may not be great, but there’s something great in every day,” Chris said.

He encouraged ONE attendees to never give up, to change their thinking and to always stay positive, knowing that there will be a brighter tomorrow.

“Take control of your circumstances instead of passively waiting for them to decide your fate,” he said.

Make your dreams come true.

In closing his keynote speech, Chris encouraged the audience to take action to make their dreams come true and to prepare for unexpected challenges by getting accustomed to navigating unfamiliar situations.

Cherish the freedom to pursue your dreams.

“Don't take life for granted. Don't cheat yourself out of any of the opportunities to get out there and make the most out of life,” he said.

Alltech ONE Calgary, July 3–4, 2023, was the third stop of the Alltech ONE World Tour, a series of international events that invite collaboration on the greatest challenges and opportunities facing the agri-food industry. You can find highlights from Alltech ONE Calgary, including photos, speaker biographies and more at one.alltech.com/Calgary.

Learn more about our future Alltech ONE World Tour stops at one.alltech.com.