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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Gov. Beshear Recognizes Value of Agriculture in Mercer County
Ceremonial check presented to Mercer County Farm Bureau for On-farm Investments
HARRODSBURG, Ky. – Gov. Steve Beshear today presented a ceremonial check to the Mercer County Farm Bureau from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund (KADF) to support Kentucky’s agriculture and rural economy. Gov. Beshear, who chairs the KADF, presented the check for $250,000 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 Mercer 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, Mercer County has been allotted more than $2.4 million from the KADF.
“This program is a tremendous asset to the farm families of Mercer County in their diversification efforts,” said Sen. Jimmy Higdon, of Lebanon. “I am confident that our farmers will be able to take advantage of these funds to increase their competitive edge.”
“I am grateful to the Ag. Development Board for making this on-farm investment program available through the Ag. Development Fund and for Mercer County Farm Bureau’s willingness to administer the program for our farm families in Mercer County,” said Rep. Kent Stevens, of Lawrenceburg.
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. Mercer 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 Mercer County farmers receiving cost-share through this program invested in cattle genetics improvement and handling facilities, forage improvement and hay storage/handling.
For more information about this program in Mercer County, contact Doris Hamilton with the Mercer County Farm Bureau Federation at (859) 734-4341.
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