The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $1,758,051 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth today at the March Board Meeting at the Franklin County Extension Office in Frankfort, Kentucky.

The Board approved eight projects totaling $292,200 in the first round of the 2005 Agri-tourism Competitive Awards Program. 

$55,000           Acres of Land

Acers of Land was approved for $5,000 in Madison County and $50,000 in state funds to establish a vegetable processing and retail deli operation at the current agri-tourism site to provide to Kentucky producers markets for their products.

$51,000           Boyd Orchards

Boyd Orchard was approved for $1,000 in Woodford County and $50,000 of state funds to establish a commercial kitchen with a cooler and value added equipment to expand the existing agri-tourism facility and allow for the expansion of purchasing Kentucky grown products. 

$50,000           Chaney’s Dairy Barn, Inc.

Chaney's Dairy Barn was approved for $50,000 in state funds to support the expansion of the existing agri-tourism business, which serves as a marketing outlet Kentucky products.

$31,900           Evans Orchard and Cider Mill, LLC

Evans Orchard was approved for $31,900 in state funds to support the expansion of the existing agri-tourism venture by renovating a current outdoor shed into a certified kitchen and sales area.

$50,000           Farmer Bill’s, LLC

Farmer Bill's was approved for $50,000 in state funds to support the expansion of the existing agri-tourism venture by renovating an existing tobacco barn to create a retail market for the sale of produce, value-added  products, crafts, and a variety of Kentucky products.

$15,000           “R” Farm Pumpkins & More, LLC

"R" Farm Pumpkins & More, LLC was approved for $15,000 in state funds to expand and promote the existing agri-tourism operation, while impacting local producers by providing new marketing outlets for products.

$17,000           Serenity Hill Farm

Serenity Hill Farm was approved for $2,000 in Jessamine County and $15,000 in state funds for the restoration of an 1820's log cabin that will serve as a retail outlet for Kentucky products and as a site for classes and presentations on sheep and goat fiber production. 

$27,300           Terrapin Hill Farm

Terrapin Hill Farm was approved for $27,300 in state to renovate a farmhouse to create an education center focusing on the benefits of local food systems, while providing a marketing outlet for local farm products.

State Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the March meeting include:

$330,000         Kentucky Dairy Council

The Kentucky Dairy Council was approved for $330,000 in state funds to establish the office of the Kentucky Dairy Council to develop and implement a comprehensive plan with the purpose of increasing the profitability of Kentucky dairy producers and to promote and foster an environment for growth of the Kentucky dairy industry.

County Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the March meeting include:

$62,500           Bath County Farm Bureau

The Bath County Farm Bureau was approved for $62,500 in Bath County funds to to establish a Hay Handling Equipment cost-share program for Bath County farmers.  

$107,000         Scott County Beef Improvement Association, Inc.

The Scott County Beef Improvement Association was approved for $107,000.00 in Scott County funds to establish and administer a Forage and Livestock Enhancement cost-share program for the purchase of needed forage packaging and handling equipment and feeding equipment to improve feed efficiency.

$26,500           Montgomery County Farm Bureau

The Montgomery County Farm Bureau was approved for $26,000 in Montgomery County funds to establish a Hay Handling Equipment cost-share program for Montgomery County farmers. 

$15,000           Kentucky Wireless Company, LLC

Kentucky Wireless Company, LLC was approved for $15,000 in Robertson County funds for the purchase and installation of a Motorola Canopy 5.8 GHz bridge link and Alvarion 2.4 GHz transmit equipment to provide rural farm households with high speed internet access.

$45,500           Todd County Conservation District

The Todd County Conservation District was approved for $45,500 in Todd County funds to implement a cost-share On-Farm Drainage Enhancement project for Todd County producers.

County model programs are designed to provide farmers with cost-share funding to allow them to improve and diversify their current production practices. For more information regarding the sign-up period and guidelines of programs funded in a specific county please contact the County Extension Office.

The Agricultural Diversification program is designed to assist in the transition into eleven new areas of agriculture including dairy, aquaculture, and horticulture. County Agricultural Diversification Programs approved by the Board totaled $150,835 and included:

$22,048           Henderson County     
$67,537           Morgan County
$10,000           Ohio County               
$51,250           Shelby County

The Cattle Genetic Improvement program improves high quality herd genetics through the purchase of bulls, bull semen or bull leases. County Cattle Genetics Improvement Programs approved by the Board totaled $43,171 and included:

$2,871             Daviess County                     
$25,000           Jackson County
$5,300             Owen County                         
$10,000           Robertson County

The Cattle Handling Facilities program assists with the implementation of best management and health practices that augment efficient production and marketing opportunities for beef and dairy producers. County Cattle Handling Programs approved by the Board totaled $56,948 and included:

$6,700             Daviess County                     
$17,048           Henderson County
$12,000           Ohio County                           
$21,200           Owen County

The Dairy Diversification program assists existing and new dairy producers throughout the Commonwealth in renovating and modernizing dairy facilities. County Dairy Diversification Programs approved by the Board totaled $123,700 and included:

$21,200           Owen County                         
$102,500         Shelby County

The Fencing Improvement program improves net farm income through improved pasture quantity, quality and efficient use of fencing for livestock producers.  County Fencing Improvement Programs approved by the Board totaled $53,000 and included:

$53,000           Cumberland County

The Forage Improvement program improves pastures to allow for improved grazing by animals, reducing producer costs for feed, and improving feed quality.  County Forage Improvement Programs approved by the Board totaled $165,000 and included:

$26,250           Estill County                           
$25,000           Jackson County
$35,000           Marion County                        
$78,750           Morgan County

The Goat Diversification program works to assist producers to venture into meat goat and dairy goat production.  County Goat Diversification Programs approved by the Board totaled $1,200 and included:

$1,200             Jackson County

The Hay, Straw, & Commodity Storage program allows producers to increase the quality and marketability of products to improve the overall farm income.  County Hay, Straw and Commodity Storage Programs approved by the Board totaled $157,107 and included:

$157,107         Morgan County

The On-Farm Water Enhancement program allows producers to adopt a proactive and systematic approach to expanding existing water supplies or to develop alternative water sources.  County On-Farm Water Enhancement Programs approved by the Board totaled $20,000 and included:

$20,000           Metcalfe County

The Shared-use Equipment program allows producers who cannot justify ownership expenses associated with certain equipment by helping them access technology necessary to improve their operations in an economical manner. County Shared-use Equipment Programs approved by the Board totaled $5,890 and included:

$5,890             Powell County

The Technology program allows producers improve net farm income through cost share on technology that will improve farm operation efficiency and assist producers already exploring the use of technology in their operations.  County Technology Programs approved by the Board totaled $102,500 and included:

$102,500         Shelby County

The Kentucky Legislature continues to make great strides towards lessening Kentucky’s dependence on tobacco production while revitalizing the farm economy by investing 50% of Kentucky's Master Settlement Agreement into the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund.  Of this 50% allocation, 65% of the Fund is set aside for regional and statewide agricultural projects, while 35% is earmarked for individual counties on the basis of their tobacco dependence.  Since the inception of the program in January 2001, the Agricultural Development Board has approved over 1950 proposals committing over $171 million to an array of county, regional, and state projects designed to increase net farm income and create sustainable new farm-based business enterprises.