We are now Kentucky proud. I mean, we always have been proud of Kentucky and we are, as a Chamber, always Logan proud, but as of earlier this week we are officially KENTUCKY PROUD. As in the only Chamber of Commerce in the state to be named Kentucky Proud.

A couple weeks ago while doing research for a possible Shop Local program, Assistant Director Amanda Baker was on the Kentucky Proud website and came to me with an interesting tidbit of info.

"Did you know that we have a bunch Kentucky Proud businesses in Logan County?" she asked.

That part I did know, what Amanda found out next I didn't know.

"And that we can become a Kentucky Proud Chamber?" she said. "The first one, from what I can tell."

I think my answer was something like, "Wow." And when Amanda asked if we should apply, I used all of my executive directing powers and said, "Sure."

Amanda admitted that it took a little longer than she thought it would to hear back from the Kentucky Proud program, but she was all smiles as she came into my office earlier this week holding our certificate congratulating the Logan County Chamber as the first chamber of commerce in the state to belong to the Kentucky Proud Promotional Program!

For those who do not know, the Kentucky Proud program is "the official state marketing program for agricultural products. As a Kentucky Proud member, you can consult with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture marketing specialists; apply for grants and cost share funds; buy promotional items at cost; display the Kentucky Proud logo; and take advantage of many more member benefits."

We all should be proud — Kentucky Proud, that is — of our Chamber and we hope to use our new status to help promote and help the businesses in Logan County succeed even more.

The Logan County Farmers’ Market opens this Saturday at 8 a.m. at the pavilion behind the Extension office. It will be open Saturday from 8 a.m.-noon and Tuesdays from noon-4 p.m. Most of the vendors are Kentucky Proud.