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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Gov. Beshear Presents Ceremonial Check to Green River Area Beef Improvement Group
Funds To Support On-farm Investments, Youth Cost-Share Program in Daviess County
OWENSBORO, Ky. – Gov. Steve Beshear today presented a ceremonial check to the Green River Area Beef Improvement Group Inc. (GRABIG) 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 $170,000: $150,000 to provide cost-share for on-farm improvements through the County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) and $20,000 for a youth cost-share program.
“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 Daviess County farm families.”
To date, nearly $336 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, Daviess County has been allotted more than $1.8 million dollars from the KADF.
“These funds are a great benefit to Daviess County farm families as they diversify and modernize their farm operations with on-farm investments,” said Rep. Jim Glenn, of Owensboro. “The investment in our youth will ensure a bright future for Kentucky agriculture.”
“I appreciate GRABIG’s support of Daviess County’s farm families and youth through these programs,” said Rep. Tommy Thompson, of Owensboro. “The Ag. Development Fund continues to be an important resource to Kentucky’s agriculture and rural economy.”
“Kentucky is the leading state in the investment of tobacco settlement funds into the diversification of agriculture,” said Sen. David Boswell, of Sorgho, who helped write Kentucky’s compromise with the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. “I am glad that farm families from Daviess, McLean and surrounding counties have access to these funds through these programs.”
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. Within the 11 investment areas a wide variety of agricultural enterprises are available. Last year, most of Daviess County farmers receiving cost-share through this program invested in cattle genetics improvement, cattle handling facilities and forage improvement. Daviess County is one of 104 counties that have offered this program to their producers.
Daviess County’s youth cost-share program supports youth ages 14-19 to begin or enhance a student agricultural production project. Student projects may be in the areas of crop (non-tobacco), forage, vegetable, livestock or greenhouse production. Cost-share funds may be used for equipment, supplies or structure necessary for the project.
For more information about these programs in Daviess County, contact Fred or Stacy Marksbury with GRABIG at (270) 275-9038 or (270) 929-4422.
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Gov. Steve Beshear and the Kentucky General Assembly continue to make great strides toward lessening Kentucky’s dependence on tobacco production while revitalizing the farm economy by investing 50 percent of Kentucky's Master Settlement Agreement into the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund.
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