The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $1,687,133in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth at the monthly Board Meeting on November 19 at the Franklin County Extension Office in Frankfort.

Agricultural Development Fund Projects approved for funding at the November meeting include:

$200,000 Commonwealth Agri-Energy
Commonwealth Agri-Energy was approved for $200,000 in Christian County funds as a loan to finance the installation of low cost cooling water systems at the facility in Hopkinsville.

$17,085 Edmonson County Conservation District
Edmonson County Conservation District was approved for $17,085 in Edmonson County funds to implement a lime cost-share program to improve productivity of established farmland.

$36,560 Green County 4-H Council
Green County 4-H Council was approved for $36,560 in Green County funds to establish a 4-H heifer chain program for students interested in beef and dairy cattle.

$21,630 Lawrence and Hyde
Lawrence and Hyde was approved for $21,630 in Trigg County funds to purchase a portable irrigation system to provide custom irrigation services for tobacco and vegetable producers in the area.

$80,000 Lewis County Vegetable Producers Association, Inc.
Lewis County Vegetable Producers Association, Inc. was approved for $80,000 in Lewis County funds to construct a permanent building for marketing diverse agricultural products.

$25,125 Montgomery County Conservation District
Montgomery County Conservation District was approved for $25,125 in Montgomery County funds to implement a lime cost-share program to improve productivity of established farmland.

$21,000 Washington County Cattlemen Association, Inc.
Washington County Cattlemen Association, Inc. was approved for $21,000 in Washington County funds to continue the existing Youth Master Cattlemen Program.

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 $188,281 and included:

$15,450 Boyle County
$54,000 Lewis County
$25,500 Mercer County
$45,331 Montgomery County
$20,000 Pulaski County
$28,000 Russell 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 $195,000 and included:

$75,000 Clinton County
$20,000 Franklin 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 $280,409 and included:

$61,800 Boyle County
$20,000 Grayson County
$54,609 Pulaski County
$100,000 Russell County
$44,000 Washington County

The 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 $44,543 and included:

$19,543 McLean County
$25,000 Woodford 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 $350,000 and included:

$151,000 Allen County
$30,900 Boyle County
$10,000 Grant County
$75,000 Hart County
$21,600 Hopkins County
$54,000 Lewis County
$7,500 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 $227,500 and included:

$31,500 Johnson County
$82,500 Mercer County
$11,000 Russell County
$52,500 Spencer County
$50,000 Woodford 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 1900 proposals committing over $167 million to an array of county, regional, and state projects designed to increase net farm income and create sustainable new farm-based business enterprises.