Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
GOVERNOR FLETCHER PRESENTS $120,000 IN KENTUCKY AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDS TO LOGAN COUNTY

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Ernie Fletcher, chair of the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, visited the Logan County Farmers’ Market Grand Opening today to present a check for $120,000 to the Logan County Agricultural Extension Foundation, Inc. in support of the market. The funding comes from the Farmers’ Market Competitive Grant program.

“This funding will offer area farmers additional market outlets, giving both full- and part-time farmers the opportunity to retain more of the retail value of the products they are producing,” said Governor Fletcher.

The Logan County Agricultural Extension Foundation, Inc. was approved for $70,000 in Logan County funds and $50,000 in state funds to construct a permanent marketing facility for the Logan County Farmers’ Market, an organization that has been in existence for more than 20 years.  A permanent facility will allow for uninterrupted sales during inclement weather, as well as opportunities to host educational events and expand the product mix to include more horticulture and forage producers.

The 2006 Farmers’ Market Competitive Awards Program was designed for regional and community farmers’ markets across the state. Program funds are divided into the following investment areas: 25 percent allocated for Regional Farmers’ Markets; 65 percent allocated for Community Farmers’ Markets, which will only go toward capital expenditures; and 10 percent allocated for feasibility/business planning for both regional and community markets. The deadline for round two of this competitive awards program is September 1, 2006. Eligible applicants are any regional or community farmers’ markets fitting the respective definitions specified in the guidelines. 

Governor Fletcher and the Kentucky Legislature 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.  Since the inception of the program in January 2001, the Agricultural Development Board has approved over 2,595 proposals, committing over $216 million to an array of county, regional, and state projects designed to increase net farm income and create sustainable new farm-based business enterprises.