Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
$2,898,190 Invested in Kentucky Agricultural Diversification

The Board approved five projects totaling $202,124 in the second round of the 2005 Farmers’ Market Competitive Grants. 

$3,824             City of Erlanger
The City of Erlanger was approved for $1,912 in state and $1,912 in Kenton County funds to conduct a feasibility study on the creation of a farmers' market pavilion.

$50,000           City of Springfield
The City of Springfield was approved for $25,000 in Washington County and $25,000 in state funds to build a permanent structure for the Springfield Farmers’ Market.

$22,300           Johnson County Extension District
Johnson County Extension District was approve for $11,150 in Johnson County and $11,150 in state funds to construct a covered shed for the Johnson County Farmers’ Market.

$120,000         Logan County Extension District Board
The Logan County Extension Board was approved for $70,000 in Logan County and $50,000 in state funds to construct a permanent marketing facility for the Logan County Farmers’ Market organization.

$6,000             Nicholas County Farmers Market
Nicholas County Fiscal Court was approved for $3,000 in Nicholas County and $3,000 in state funds to construct a temporary shelter for the Nicholas County Farmers’ Market.

State and County Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the August meeting include:

$618,309         Creech Services, Inc.
Creech Services, Inc. was approved for $10,000 in Fayette County and $10,000 in Bourbon County funds as a grant and $598,309 in state funds as a forgivable loan for infrastructure improvements to expand the existing compost production.

$100,000         Hancock County Conservation District
The Hancock County Conservation District was approved for $100,000 in Hancock County funds to administer the Hancock County Farm Drainage Enhancement Program as a cost-share program to install subsurface drainage systems.

$100,000         Henry County Fiscal Court
Henry County Fiscal Court was approved for $100,000 in Henry County funds for the construction of a clear span marketing facility to be located at the Henry County Fairgrounds.

$10,000           Jessamine County FFA Alumni Association
Jessamine County FFA Alumni Association was approved for $10,000 in Jessamine County funds to administer an education assistance program for tobacco farmers and their spouses.

$642,000         Knotwood Craftsmen Investments Corporation, Inc.
Knotwood Craftsmen Investments Corporation was approved for $25,000 in Jackson, $10,000 in Clay, $10,000 in Laurel, and $597,000 in state funds to assist in the establishment of a woodworking school in Jackson County.

$2,000             Kentucky Sweet Sorghum Producers & Processors Association, Inc.
Kentucky Sweet Sorghum Producers & Processors Association, Inc. was approved for $750 in state funds and $250 in each Clark, Menifee, and Montgomery, Morgan, and Woodford County funds to assist in the construction of a portable sweet sorghum syrup cook-off trailer to use for demonstrational and educational purposes.

$1,900             Lawrence County Farmers’ Market Association, Inc.
Lawrence County Farmers’ Market Association, Inc. was approved for $1,900 in Lawrence County funds to purchase a plastic wrapper, plastic remover and trailer to offer as shared-use equipment for Lawrence County producers.

$4,000             Todd County Board of Education
The Todd County Board of Education was approved for $4,000 in Todd County funds in the form of a 0% interest loan to help the Todd County School System's Food Services Program purchase two dairy product vending machines for Todd County High School and Todd County Middle School.

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 $134,500 and included:

$17,000           Casey County                         $35,000           Clinton County

$30,000           Daviess County                      $52,500           Spencer 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 $219,500 and included:

$125,000         Casey County                         $52,500           Greenup County

$42,000           Spencer 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 $147,000 and included:

$105,000         Greenup County                      $42,000           Spencer 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 $143,426 and included:

$100,000         Fayette County                        $30,000           Ohio County

$13,426           Rowan 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 $65,500 and included:

$20,000           Allen County                            $10,000           Greenup County

$10,500           Harrison County                      $10,000           Nelson County

$15,000           Ohio 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 $413,054 and included:

$101,804         Boone County                         $183,750         Harrison County

$75,000           Pulaski County                        $52,500           Spencer 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 $94,877 and included:

$30,000           Grant County                           $64,877           Morgan 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 2,100 proposals committing over $182 million to an array of county, regional, and state projects designed to increase net farm income and create sustainable new farm-based business enterprises.