Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
$2,690,180 Invested in Kentucky Agricultural Diversification
The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $2,690,180 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly Board Meeting on June 17 at the Franklin County Extension Office in Frankfort, Kentucky.
State and County Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the May meeting include:
$15,000 Breckinridge County Board of Education
The Breckinridge County Board of Education on behalf of the Agriculture Department of Breckinridge County High School was approved for $15,000 in Breckinridge County funds to build a greenhouse facility at Breckinridge County High School.
$5,250 Carlisle County Conservation District
The Carlisle County Conservation District was approved for $5,250 to establish a shade cloth cost- share program for Carlisle County producers in the production of tobacco and horticulture.
$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.
$121,961 Central Kentucky Growers Association, Inc.
Central Kentucky Growers Association was approved for a forgivable loan consisting of $121,961 in state funds to stabilize management and to purchase equipment necessary for line improvements that will ensure continuity of processing
$10,000 Daniel Boone Lumber Industries, Inc.
Daniel Boone Lumber Industries, Inc. was approved for $5,000 in Fleming and $5,000 in Menifee County funds to assist in the construction of a building in which Daniel Boone Pallet can operate.
$25,000 Graves County Soil Association
Graves County Soil Association was approved for $10,000 in Graves County funds and $15,000 in KCADE funds for a bio-diesel facility feasibility study that would give updated, independent, fact based information on the realities concerning construction and demand for a facility in the local Purchase Area.
$82,990 Hardin County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc.
The Hardin County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc. was approved for $82,990 in Hardin County funds to implement a menu approach offering three model programs that also includes reimbursement for participation in a record keeping program.
$11,359 Hardin County Extension District Board
The Hardin County Extension Board was approved for $11,359 in Hardin County funds to support a "Pasture-to-Plate" Project as part of a retained ownership program with educational components for Hardin County Cattle producers.
$35,000 Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc.
The Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association was approved for $35,000 in Jackson County funds to administer a Multiflora Rose and Noxious Weed Eradication Program for Jackson County producers.
$13,000 John F. Dance Enterprises, Inc.
John F. Dance Enterprises, Inc. was approved for $13,000 in Woodford County funds to expand the facilities at his Good Ol' Days Farm agri-tourism facility.
$11,390 LaRue County Beef Cattle Association, Inc.
The LaRue County Beef Cattle Association, Inc. was approved for $11,390 in LaRue County funds to support a retained ownership program for LaRue County beef cattle producers.
$5,000 Mackville Community Development, Inc.
The Mackville Community Development, Inc. was approved for $5,000 to renovate existing kitchen facilities at the community center to meet specification for a certified kitchen.
$13,427 Meade County Grain Growers, Inc.
The Meade County Grain Growers Inc. was approved for $13,427 in Mead County funds to provide a crop scouting service cost-share program for Meade County grain growers.
$2,418 Union County Beef Cattle Association, Inc.
The Union County Beef Cattle Association, Inc. was approved for $2,418 in Union County funds to purchase corral panels to be used as part of the annual bull sale held at the John A. Arnold Convention Center in Sturgis, Kentucky.
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 $298,354 and included:
$105,000 Adair County $15,000 Anderson County
$22,500 Elliott County $105,000 Magoffin County
$12,000 Marion County $1,854 McCreary County
$20,000 Rowan County $15,000 Wayne County
$2,000 Webster 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 $187,000 and included:
$15,000 Anderson County $27,500 Elliott County
$25,000 Garrard County $21,000 Magoffin County
$50,000 Mason County $2,500 McCreary County
$20,000 Rowan County $26,000 Taylor 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 $325,410 and included:
$15,000 Anderson County $30,000 Elliott County
$10,000 Jackson County $30,000 Knox County
$21,000 Magoffin County $105,000 Marion County
$50,000 Mason County $4,410 McCreary County
$20,000 Rowan County $40,000 Rowan 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 $37,000 and included:
$37,000 Taylor 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 $322,750 and included:
$40,000 Anderson County $78,750 Ballard County
$104,000 Clark County $100,000 Hart 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 $253,100 and included:
$10,000 Anderson County $22,500 Elliott County
$75,000 Hart County $20,000 Jackson County
$50,000 Mason County $3,600 McCreary County
$72,000 Mercer 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 $139,225 and included:
$30,000 Adair County $5,000 Anderson County
$50,000 Hart County $5,000 Jackson County
$515 McCreary County $11,746 Marion County
$14,964 Monroe County $20,000 Rowan County
$2,000 Webster 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 $590,250 and included:
$30,000 Anderson County $78,750 Ballard County
$104,000 Clark County $50,000 Elliott County
$52,500 Estill County $30,000 Knox County
$105,000 Lewis County $100,000 Marion County
$40,000 Taylor 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 $87,500 and included:
$15,000 Anderson County $22,500 Elliott County
$50,000 Robertson 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 $22,781 and included:
$4,000 Henderson County $11,281 Lewis County
$7,500 Mason 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 $515 and included:
$515 McCreary 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 $62,000 and included:
$21,000 Magoffin County $41,000 Taylor 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 2,050 proposals committing over $179 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.**********