Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
$2,428,540 Invested in Kentucky Agricultural Diversification

The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $2,428,540 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly Board Meeting on July 27 at the UK Research Center in Princeton, Kentucky.

State and County Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the July meeting include:

$53,375           Blazing Blocks Firewood

Blazing Blocks Firewood was approved for $2,500 in Lewis and $50,875 in state funds to expand the production of bundled firewood and directly market the product to retailers. 

$4,416             Bracken County Agricultural Advancement Council, Inc.

Bracken County Agricultural Advancement Council, Inc. was approved for $4,416 in Bracken County funds to purchase a thistle sprayer that will be made available through a shared-use program to all county producers to help control thistles in pastures and hay fields.

$12,500           Central Kentucky Angus Sales, Inc.

Central Kentucky Angus Sales, Inc was approved for $2,500 in Lincoln, Boyle, Garrard, Madison, Pulaski County funds for the expansion and upgrading of the market and sales facility in Danville. 

$90,300           Daviess County Conservation District

The Daviess County Conservation District was approved for $90,300 in Daviess County funds to provide a cost-share program to assist local producers with installing subsurface drainage systems. 

$1,500             Grant County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc.

Grant County Cattlemen's Association was approved for $1,500 in Grant County funds to purchase a round bale wagon that will be made available to local producers through a shared-use program.

$75,000           Harrison County Board of Education

The Harrison County Board Of Education was approved for $75,000 in Harrison County funds to assist in the construction of the Harrison County Agricultural Education Center.

$100,000         Hope Ridge Farm Country Ham, LLC

Hope Ridge Farm Country Ham, LLC was approved for $2,000 in Fleming, $2,000 in Mason, $1,500 in Robertson, $1,000 in Bracken, $1,000 in Lewis, and $92,500 in State funds to expand the existing processing operation.

$5,000             LaRue County Beef Cattle Association, Inc.

The LaRue County Beef Cattle Association, Inc. was approved for $5,000 in Grayson County funds to assist in the establishment of a retained ownership program for Grayson County cattle producers. 

$12,000           Marion County Fair, Inc.

Marion County Fair, Inc. was approved for $12,000 in Marion funds to purchase materials to assist in improvements to the Marion County Multi-Purpose Agricultural Center. 

$200,000         Monroe County Conservation District

The Monroe County Conservation District was approved for $200,000 in Monroe County funds to implement a cost-share menu approach offering five model programs as part of the Monroe County Farm Improvement Project. 

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 $178,895 and included:

$30,000           Grant County                           $65,000           Henry County

$20,000           Jessamine County                  $16,400           McLean County

$47,495           Menifee 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 $386,784 and included:

$128,500         Barren County                         $22,500           Cumberland County

$18,900           Daviess County                      $50,000           Fayette County

$30,000           Grant County                           $15,000           Hancock County

$17,000           Henry County                          $10,609           Hickman County

$8,000             Johnson County                      $7,500             Logan County

$75,000           Pendleton County                   $3,775             Perry 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 $373,789 and included:

$149,000         Barren County                         $54,600           Daviess County

$30,000           Grant County                           $50,000           Hancock County

$42,000           Henry County                          $25,189           Logan County

$23,000           McLean 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 $177,500 and included:

$150,000         Barren County                         $20,000           Henry County

$7,500             Logan 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 $289,000 and included:

$100,000         Clay County                            $100,000         Fayette County

$30,000           Grant County                           $59,000           Henry 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 $138,000 and included:

$30,000           Grant County                           $25,000           Henry County

$23,000           McLean County                       $60,000           Menifee 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 $45,000 and included:

$20,000           Barren County                         $5,000             Daviess County

$10,000           Grant County                           $10,000           McLean 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 $186,000 and included:

$30,000           Grant County                           $50,000           Hancock County

$25,000           Henry County                          $35,000           Logan County 

$46,000           Menifee 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 $16,681 and included:

$7,681             Grayson County                      $9,000             Jessamine 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 $85,300 and included:

$35,700           Daviess County                      $25,000           Fayette County

$24,600           McLean County          

The Timber Production, Utilization & Marketing program allows producers to enhance timber production and processing on rural lands, while developing new revenue sources by growing and utilizing existing and new natural resources. County Timber Production, Utilization & Marketing Programs approved by the Board totaled $10,000 and included:

$10,000           Henry 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 2,100 proposals committing over $180 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.**********