Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
$3,055,931 Invested in Kentucky Agricultural Diversification
The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $3,055,931 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly Board Meeting on December 16 , 2005 at the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office in Frankfort, Kentucky.
State and County Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the December meeting include:
$74,500 Allen County Extension District Board
The Allen County Extension District Board was approved for $74,500 in Allen County Agricultural Development Funds to construct a certified test kitchen as part of the Allen County Agricultural Marketing Education Center.
$125,000 Appalachian Alternative Agriculture of Jackson County, Inc.
The Appalachian Alternative Agriculture of Jackson County, Inc. (3AJC) was approved for $125,000 in Jackson County funds to administer a menu of model programs.
$60,000 Clinton/Cumberland Cattlemen’s Association, Inc.
The Clinton/Cumberland Cattlemen's Association was approved for $60,000 in Cumberland County funds to administer a menu of model programs.
$19,120 Fire on The Ridge Farm, LLC
Fire on the Ridge Farm was approved for $19,120 in Bracken County funds to construct a facility to produce Hot Pepper Sauce.
$103,000 Gallatin County Livestock Association, Inc.
The Gallatin County Livestock Association was approved for $103,000 in Gallatin County Funds to administer a menu of model programs.
$150,000 Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc.
The Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association was approved for $150,000 in Jackson County funds to administer a menu of model programs.
$1,227,100 Kentucky Horticulture Council, Inc.
The Kentucky Horticulture Council was approved for $1,227,100 for the continuing support of education and training for the growth of Kentucky’s Horticulture Industry.
$18,000 Lawrence County Extension District Board
The Lawrence County Extension District Board was approved for $18,000 in Lawrence County funds to construct a farmer's market shed.
$50,000 Purple Toed Winery
Purple Toed Winery was approved for $50,000 as a part of the Agri-tourism Competitive Awards Program to construct a processing facility.
$200,000 Russell County Cattlemen’s Association
The Russell County Cattlemen’s Association was approved for $200,000 in Russell County funds to administer a menu of model programs.
$50,000 Southeast Vintners, LLC
Southeast Vintners, LLC., was approved for $50,000 of State funds as part of the 2005 Competitive Agri-tourism Awards program to assist in the construction and equipping of a processing facility for fermented apples.
$9,000 StoneBrook Winery LLC
StoneBrook Winery LLC was approved for $9,000 as a part of the 2005 Agri-tourism Competitive Awards Program to renovate an 1890 Farmstead for their agri-tourism business.
$2,500 Tim’s Cattle Hoof Trimming
Tim’s Cattle Hoof Trimming was approved for $2,500 of Boyle County funds to purchase equipment to start a mobile hoof trimming service for dairy and beef cattle.
$80,000 Warren County Conservation District
The Warren County Conservation District was approved for $80,000 in Warren County Agricultural Development Funds to administer the Warren County On-Farm Drainage Enhancement Program as a cost share program to install subsurface drainage systems.
$12,000 Whitley County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc.
The Whitley County Cattlemen’s Association was approved for $12,000 in Whitley County funds to administer a Heifer Replacement 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 $10,000 and included:
$10,000 Nelson 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 $150,000 and included:
$150,000 Adair 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 $15,569 and included:
$15,569 Adair 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 $15,600 and included:
$15,600 Ballard 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 $66,200 and included:
$25,000 Johnson $41,200 Lawrence 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 $285,000 and included:
$200,000 Adair County $85,000 Clay 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 $44,000 and included:
$40,000 Clay County $4,000 Russell 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 $205,750 and included:
$74,500 Allen County $131,250 Ohio 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 $7,592 and included:
$7,592 Clinton County
The Swine Diversification program allows new and existing swine producers to establish or renovate pork facilities. County Swine Diversification Programs approved by the Board totaled $26,000 and included:
$26,000 Ballard County
The Timber Production, Utilization & Marketing program allows producers to enhance timber production and processing on rural lands, while developing new revenue sources by growing and utilizing existing and new natural resources. County Timber Production, Utilization & Marketing Programs approved by the Board totaled $50,000 and included:
$50,000 Clay 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 2,280 proposals committing over $195 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.**********