The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $1,010,528 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth at the monthly Board Meeting on April 15 at the Franklin County Extension Office in Frankfort, Kentucky.

The Agricultural Development Fund project approved for funding at the April meeting includes:

$355,440 Wooden Impressions, Inc.
Wooden Impressions Inc. was approved for $352,440 in state and $1,000 in each Fleming, Lewis, and Robertson County funds to purchase machinery to further its capability to provide value-added products from the timber purchased from farmers in the area.

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 $89,421 and included:

$1,771 Edmonson County
$34,650 Garrard County
$15,000 Jessamine County
$38,000 Kenton 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 $114,665 and included:

$42,000 Breckinridge County
$12,265 Clinton County
$25,000 Jessamine County
$20,400 Kenton County
$15,000 Ohio 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 $10,000 and included:

$10,000 Jessamine 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 Jessamine 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 $112,000 and included:

$55,000 Jessamine County
$57,000 Menifee 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 $154,269 and included:

$45,225 Casey County
$9,294 Edmonson County
$99,750 Garrard 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 $3,483 and included:

$3,483 Crittenden 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 $161,250 and included:

$131,250 Greenup County
$30,000 Jessamine 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 1,950 proposals committing over $171 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.**********