Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
Agricultural Development Funds Awarded

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Feb. 12, 2010) - The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board (KADB), chaired by Gov. Steve Beshear, today approved $1,563,127 in 13 agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their February board meeting.

The following investments were made with Kentucky Agricultural Development Funds:

$500,000      Animal Data Management Program
The Beef Connection LLC was approved for $500,000 in state funds as a zero-interest loan to expand their data collection, organization and analysis services to more beef producers, allowing them the opportunity to age and source verify their cattle.

$154,000      Beginning/Young Farmer Program
The Washington County Cattlemen’s Association Inc. was approved for $154,000 in Washington County funds to provide a forage equipment cost-share program for farmers who have participated in their farm operation for at least three, but no more than 10 years.

$200,000      Capstone Produce Market
Capstone Auction Service LLC was approved for a grant up to $50,000 in state funds to be matched with county funds of equal value, as well as a zero-interest loan in the amount of $150,000 for the Capstone Produce Market.  These funds are for the renovation and expansion of a facility in Campbellsburg to market local agricultural products through an auction. 

$249,300      Cheese Processing Facility
Western Kentucky University was approved for $249,300 in state funds for the renovation of an existing building into a cheese processing facility to provide producers assistance in adding value to their farm operations.

$  15,000      Greenhouse, Nursery Expansion
Two Brothers Garden Center and Nursery was approved for $7,500 in state and $7,500 in Fayette County Funds for the expansion of their greenhouse, nursery business to provide more direct marketing opportunities for local farmers and support the increased retail demand for Kentucky branded products.

$   21,000      Livestock Disposal Service
A & S Livestock Inc. was approved for $16,000 in Russell County and $5,000 in Adair County funds to provide dead livestock incineration services to Russell and surrounding counties. 

$   16,000      MIG Welding Program
The Rowan County Fiscal Court was approved for $16,000 in Rowan County funds to provide a metal inert gas (MIG) welding course for area producers.

$     9,450      Oxy-fuel Welding Program
The Lewis County Conservation District was approved for $9,450 in Lewis County funds to provide beginning and advanced oxy-fuel welding classes for area tobacco dependent producers.

$   10,000      Youth  Cost-share Program
The Jessamine County FFA Alumni Association Inc. was approved for $10,000 in Jessamine County funds to aid students by cost-sharing on a variety projects from livestock husbandry to gardening. 

The County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) is designed to provide farmers with incentives to allow them to improve and diversify their current production practices.  CAIP covers a wide variety of agricultural enterprises in its 11 investment areas.  CAIPs approved by the board totaled $370,000 and included:

$  50,000     Garrard County Farm Bureau Inc.
$320,000     Harrison County Beef Cattle Association Inc.

The Deceased Farm Animal Disposal Assistance Program serves as an interim measure to facilitate the coordination of environmentally sound and cost-effective disposal of deceased livestock for Kentucky producers. County Deceased Farm Animal Disposal Assistance Programs approved by the Board totaled $7,500 and included:

$    7,500     Harrison County Fiscal Court

The Shared-use Equipment Program is designed to impact a high number of 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 totaled $10,877 and included:

$   10,877     Pulaski County Conservation District

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Gov. Steve Beshear and the Kentucky General Assembly 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. 

To date, Kentucky has invested more than $298 million to an array of county, regional and state projects designed to increase net farm income and create sustainable new farm-based business enterprises. These funding approvals represent just a few of more than 3,621 projects that have been funded through the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund, since the inception of the program in January 2001.