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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Gov. Beshear Recognizes Value of Agriculture in Robertson County
Ceremonial check presented to Robertson County Conservation District for On-farm Investments
MT. OLIVET, Ky.– Gov. Steve Beshear today presented a ceremonial check to the Robertson County Conservation District from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund (KADF) to support Kentucky’s agriculture and rural economy. Gov. Beshear, who chairs KADF, presented the check for $258,400 to provide cost-share for on-farm improvements through the County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP).
“As Governor, I am proud and honored to serve as chairman of the Agricultural Development Board because I know the importance of this fund to the future of our farmers,” said Gov. Beshear. “I am committed to creating opportunities that will make Kentucky’s agricultural community stronger. This Agricultural Development Fund program plays an integral role in achieving that goal for Robertson County farm families.”
To date, more than $334 million in Kentucky Agricultural Development Funds have been invested in an array of state, regional and county projects throughout the Commonwealth. Over the last decade, Robertson County has been allotted more than $2.9 million from the KADF.
“This program will continue to provide investment opportunities for Robertson County farm families, as they diversify and modernize their farm operations,” said Sen. Robin Webb, of Grayson. “Kentucky is fortunate that Gov. Beshear and General Assembly continue to invest these funds for the diversification of the Commonwealth’s agriculture and rural economy.”
“Kentucky is the leading state in the investment of tobacco settlement funds into the diversification of agriculture,” said Rep. Tom McKee, of Cynthiana. “I am thankful for the Agricultural Development Board’s leadership in developing this on-farm investment program. The Ag. Development Fund continues to benefit numerous farm families in Robertson County and across the Commonwealth through this program.”
The County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) is designed to provide farmers with incentives to allow them to improve current production practices and assist in diversifying farming operations. CAIP provides producers 11 investment areas from which to choose. Robertson County is one of 104 counties that have offered this program to their producers.
Within the 11 investment areas a wide variety of agricultural enterprises are available, including commercial production of aquaculture; bees and honey; equine; forage; fruit; livestock; mushrooms; ornamental horticulture; poultry; rabbits; timber; and vegetables, as well as agritourism business development; commercial kitchens; energy efficiency and production; and on-farm water enhancement. Last year, most of Robertson County farmers receiving cost-share through this program invested in agricultural diversification, especially direct-to-consumer livestock; cattle genetics improvements; and hay storage/handling.
For more information about this program in Robertson County, contact Diane Hardesty with the Robertson County Conservation District at (606) 724-5472 or robertsonconservation@yahoo.com.
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