The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $5,416,083 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly Board Meeting on September 16 at the Franklin County Extension Office.
The Board approved thirteen projects totaling $525,493 in the second round of the 2005 Agri-tourism Competitive Awards Program.
$38,310 Bramble Ridge Orchard, LLC
Bramble Ridge Orchard was approved for $38,310 in state funds as a forgivable loan to assist in the construction and equipping of a certified kitchen at the existing facility.
$32,675 Castle Hill Farm
Castle Hill Farm, Inc. was approved for $32,675 in state funds as a forgivable loan for the construction and equipping of a certified kitchen at their existing facility.
$50,000 Chrisman Mill Vineyards
Chrisman Mill Vineyards was approved for $50,000 in state funds as a forgivable loan for the expansion and upgrading of existing facilities.
$18,150 Christian Way Farm, LLC
Christian Way Farm, LLC was approved $18,150 in state funds as a forgivable loan for the development of a farm that would be open to the public for teaching and providing a "farm" experience.
$49,988 Elements Enterprises, LLC
Elements Enterprises, LLC was approved for $49,988 in state funds as a forgivable loan for infrastructure improvements to expand existing Agri-tourism facilities.
$50,000 Equus Run Vineyards, LLC
Equus Run Vineyards, LLC was approved for $50,000 in state funds as a forgivable loan to assist in the renovation of a tobacco barn for additional retail and inventory space.
$50,000 Jackson’s Orchard & Nursery, Inc.
Jackson’s Orchard & Nursery, Inc. was approved for $50,000 in state funds as a forgivable loan to modernize and expand kitchen facilities and construct a pavilion activity area at the existing facility.
$37,000 John F. Dance Enterprises, Inc.
John F. Dance Enterprises, Inc. was approved for $37,000 in state funds as a forgivable loan for infrastructure improvements and facility expansion at the existing facility in Midway.
$24,000 Kentucky Roots, LLC
Kentucky Roots, LLC was approved for $24,000 in state funds as a forgivable loan to assist in the restoration of an 1850's log cabin to provide a retail store for locally grown and farm made products, as well as native flowers, shrubs and seeds. The funds will also be used to renovate a tobacco barn into a rural education center, build a greenhouse and create a nature trail at the agri-tourism destination.
$15,370 Reed Farm Service, Inc.
Reed Farm Service, Inc. was approved for $15,370 in state funds as a forgivable loan to assist in the construction and equipping of a certified kitchen at the existing facility.
$59,000 River Valley Agri-tourism Alliance
River Valley Agri-tourism Alliance was approved for $1,000 in Robertson, $2,000 in Bracken, $2,000 in Lewis, $2,000 in Mason, $2,000 in Nicholas, and $50,000 in state funds to promote Agri-tourism ventures in their region.
$50,000 Sweet Home Spun
Sweet Home Spun was approved for $50,000 in state funds as a forgivable loan to create a studio and retail store for the production and sale of high quality handspun, hand knitted items from local wool.
$51,000 Three Mills Farm
Three Mills Farm was approved for $1,000 in Woodford County and $50,000 in state funds to assist in the construction and equipping of a certified kitchen, on-farm retail facility, and a guest pavilion at the existing facility.
State and County Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the August meeting include:
$7,000 Carroll County Agriculture Development Fund, Inc.
Carroll County Agricultural Development Fund, Inc. was approved for $7,000 in Carroll County funds for a 4-H Livestock Cost-Share Program.
$85,000 Christian County/Hopkinsville Development Corporation
Christian County/Hopkinsville Development Corporation was approved for $42,500 in Christian County and $42,500 in state funds through the 2005 Farmers' Market Competitive Grants Program for the creation of a permanent Farmers' Market in Christian County.
$1,000 City of Cadiz
The City of Cadiz was approved for $1,000 in Trigg County funds to assist in the advertising of the Trigg County Farmers’ Market.
$95,000 Cumberland Farm Products
Cumberland Farm Products was approved for $95,000 in state funds to offset a portion of the cooperatives’ operating losses for 2004.
$37,000 Franklin County Fair & Horseshow Association
The Franklin County Fair & Horseshow Association, Inc. was approved for $37,000 in Franklin County funds for the construction costs of an open sided marketing facility.
$2,465,630 Kentucky Beef Network
The Kentucky Beef Network (KBN) was approved for $2,465,630 in state funds for continued funding of the existing program designed to enhance net returns to cattle producers through increased marketing opportunities, data management, and comprehensive farm management systems.
$54,096 Muhlenberg County Farmers' Market Association
Muhlenberg County Farmers' Market Association was approved for $54,096 in Muhlenberg County funds for an On-farm Drainage Enhancement Cost-share Program.
$16,000 Thoroughbred RC&D Council
Thoroughbred RC&D Council, Inc. was approved for $16,000 of Fayette County funds for 50% of the cost of two compost turners and a compost spreader for shared-use in Fayette County.
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 $210,650 and included:
$5,000 Breckinridge County $2,050 Campbell County
$15,500 Oldham County $37,100 Owen County
$61,000 Pulaski County $50,000 Simpson County
$40,000 Wolfe 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 $83,250 and included:
$6,150 Campbell County $37,100 Owen County
$40,000 Pulaski 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 $333,027 and included:
$120,000 Breckinridge County $2,130 Campbell County
$32,297 Hart County $63,600 Owen County
$50,000 Pulaski County $65,000 Simpson 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 $49,775 and included:
$44,625 Bracken County $5,150 Carroll 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 $402,297 and included:
$200,000 Harrison County $32,297 Hart County
$11,000 Oldham County $159,000 Owen 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 $545,005 and included:
$9,253 Campbell County $86,752 Franklin County
$315,000 Green County $70,000 Hart County
$11,000 Oldham County $53,000 Owen 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 $97,600 and included:
$10,000 Breckinridge County $50,000 Casey County
$10,600 Owen County $22,000 Pulaski County
$5,000 Rowan 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 $274,139 and included:
$104,000 Bath County $15,750 Campbell County
$17,000 Oldham County $53,000 Owen County
$84,389 Trigg 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 $85,600 and included:
$85,600 Fayette 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 $23,021 and included:
$22,000 Bath County $1,021 Hart County
The Swine Diversification program allows new and existing swine producers to establish or renovate pork facilities. County Swine Diversification Programs approved by the Board totaled $10,500 and included:
$10,500 Bracken 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 $15,000 and included:
$15,000 Logan 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 2,150 proposals committing over $187 million to an array of county, regional, and state projects designed to increase net farm income and create sustainable new farm-based business enterprises.
****** Please contact the County Extension Office for more information regarding the model programs and when the sign up will take place in your county.**********