KADF Release: 2005 February

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	Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy : Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
	$1,139,681 Invested in Kentucky Agricultural Diversification

Press Release Date:	February 18, 2005
Contact:	Kara Keeton, Communications Director Angela Blank, Executive Assistant http://agpolicy.ky.gov/ (502) 564-4627

The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $1,139,681 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth at the monthly Board Meeting on February 18 at the Franklin County Extension Office in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Board approved five projects totaling $203,001 in the first round of the 2005 Farmers’ Market Competitive Grants. $10,000 Anderson County Farmers’ Market, Inc. The Anderson County Farmers’ Market Association was approved for $5,000 in Anderson County and $5,000 in state funds to enhance the accessibility and function of the current Farmers’ Market structure for both customers and growers. $10,000 Bullitt County Conservation District The Bullitt County Conservation District was approved for $5,000 in Bullitt County and $5,000 in state funds to construct a building for the Bullitt County Farmers’ Market as a place for local producers to sell their products. $40,000 Carter County Extension District Board The Carter County Extension District Board was approved for $20,000 in Cater County and $20,000 in state funds to construct a shed for the Carter County Farmers’ Market. $118,000 Nelson County Horticulture Advisory Board The Nelson County Horticulture Advisory Board and Nelson County Fiscal Court was approved for $68,000 in Nelson County and $50,000 in state funds to construct a farmers’ market facility that will provide for expanded and new direct to consumer sales opportunities for agriculture products. $25,001 Russell Neighborhood Development Authority, Inc. The Russell Neighborhood Development Authority, Inc. was approved for $4,167 from each Jefferson, Spencer and Bullitt counties and $12,500 in state funds to conduct a feasibility study on the viability of a regional marketing facility that would initially serve retail and institutional markets in Bullitt, Spencer and Jefferson counties. County Agricultural Development Fund Projects approved for funding at the February meeting include: $4,739 Fayette County 4-H Council, Inc. The Fayette County 4-H Council was approved for $4,739 in Fayette County funds to purchase equipment and curriculum to conduct hands on 4-H educational sessions in areas like general animal care, nutrition, genetics, exhibition and maintenance. The educational sessions will be coupled with field trips, guest speakers, and county and state shows. $2,102 Fayette County 4-H Council, Inc. The Fayette County 4-H Council was approved for $2,102 in Fayette County funds to purchase equipment and curriculum to support a hands-on approach to the horticulture, and environmental projects that the Council endorses. $21,000 Marshall County Conservation District The Marshall County Conservation District was approved for $21,000 in Marshall County funds to support the Marshall County efforts to improve the bottomland farms along Clarks River by the removal of Debris in the East Fork Clarks River. $10,056 Rockcastle County Fiscal Court The Rockcastle County Farmers Market was approved for $10,056 in Rockcastle County funds for a farmers’ market shelter in Rockcastle County. 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 $76,750 and included: $26,750 Bourbon County $50,000 Nicholas 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 $79,499 and included: $25,000 Gallatin County $30,000 Grant County $24,499 Nicholas 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 $193,135 and included: $51,686 Allen County $117,700 Bourbon County $23,749 Casey 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 $10,000 and included: $10,000 Simpson 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 $100,000 and included: $100,000 Robertson 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 $46,750 and included: $36,750 Carlisle County $10,000 Johnson 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 $38,749 and included: $23,749 Casey County $5,000 Simpson County $10,000 Warren 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 $220,400 and included: $74,900 Bourbon County $35,000 Hancock County $63,000 Nicholas County $16,000 Rowan County $31,500 Warren 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 $87,000 and included: $50,000 Clinton County $37,000 Rowan 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 $46,500 and included: $46,500 Todd 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 1950 proposals committing over $170 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.********