Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
$2,106,659 Invested in Kentucky Agricultural Diversification
The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $2,106,659 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly Board Meeting on October 21, 2005 at the Capitol Annex in Frankfort, Kentucky.
State and County Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the October meeting include:
$27,000 City-County Fair Association, Ltd.
The City-County Fair Association, Ltd was approved for $27,000 in Cumberland County funds to construct an Agriculture Marketing and Exposition Center.
$7,500 Cumberland Thoroughbred Training Center, LLC
Cumberland Thoroughbred Training Center, LLC, was approved $7,500 in Cumberland County funds for materials, equipment and building expenses in the construction of an equine training facility.
$12,500 Farm and Garden Market Cooperative Association, Inc.
Farm and Garden Market Cooperative Association, Inc. was approved for $6,250 in state funds as a grant and $6,250 in Fayette County funds to conduct a study for a permanent location for the Lexington Farmer’s Market in downtown Lexington.
$50,000 Hurstland Farm, Inc.
Hurstland Farm Inc was approved for $50,000 in state funds as a forgivable loan part of the Agri-tourism Competitive Awards program for converting a former tobacco barn into a 14-stall thoroughbred barn. The barn will house a museum, as well as a gift shop where Kentucky products will be sold.
$250,000 John’s Custom Meats
John’s Custom Meats was approved for $244,500 in state funds as a forgivable loan and $5,000 in Warren County funds and $500 in Edmonson County funds as a grant to upgrade from 1,500 square foot custom operation to a new 4,000 square foot USDA inspected slaughter /processing facility with retail operations in Warren County.
$12,000 Johnson County Agricultural Advancement Council
Johnson County Agricultural Advancement Council was approved for $12,000 in Johnson County funds to administer a heifer replacement program.
$15,000 McLean County Fiscal Court
The McLean County Fiscal Court was approved for $15,000 in McLean County funds to construct multi functional post frame open sided structure adjacent to the existing McLean County 4-H Activities Center located at Myer Creek Park in McLean County.
$2,556 Monroe County 4-H Council, Incorporated
Monroe County 4-H Council, Incorporated was approved for $2,556 in Monroe County Agricultural Development funds to purchase corral panels, audio system, judging support materials and educational materials for the purpose of providing youth and adult livestock sales, shows and educational programs.
$5,000 Southern Kentucky Regional Farmers’ Market, Inc.
Southern Kentucky Regional Farmers’ Market, Inc was approved for $5,000 in Warren County funds as a part of a marketing budget for 2006 to operate the “producer only” market outlet in Bowling Green.
$25,000 Whitley County Small Farms Project, Inc.
Whitley County Small Farms Project, Inc. was approved for $25,000 in Whitley County funds to administer a heifer chain project.
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 $70,700 and included:
$5,700 Butler County $5,000 Lyon County
$10,000 Hancock County $50,000 Robertson 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 $205,680 and included:
$63,000 Bourbon County $10,000 Lyon County
$78,240 Butler County $4,440 Webster County
$50,000 Clark 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 $303,772 and included:
$145,000 Fleming County $29,000 Rockcastle County
$18,000 Lyon County $50,000 Warren County
$50,076 Metcalfe County $11,696 Webster 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 $178,726 and included:
$13,226 Daviess County $20,000 Robertson County
$52,500 Green County $30,000 Warren County
$63,000 Metcalfe 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 $387,250 and included:
$187,250 Bourbon County $200,000 Pendleton 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 $365,625 and included:
$149,625 Bourbon County $131,250 Harrison County
$36,750 Butler County $28,000 Rockcastle County
$20,000 Fleming 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 $5,250 and included:
$5,250 Bourbon 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 $138,600 and included:
$8,000 Lyon County $30,000 Warren County
$20,600 Rockcastle County $80,000 Warren County
The Shared-use Equipment program allows 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 by the Board totaled $3,000 and included:
$3,000 Lawrence 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 $41, 500 and included:
$31,500 Hancock County
$10,000 Lyon 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 2,150 proposals committing over $187 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.**********