Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
$1,714,138 Invested in Kentucky Agricultural Diversification

The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $1,714,138 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly Board Meeting on January 20, 2006 at the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office in Frankfort, Kentucky.

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

$15,750           Breathitt County Conservation District
The Breathitt County Conservation District was approved for $15,750 in Breathitt County funds to administer a Heifer Replacement Program.

$57,000           Gallatin County Agricultural Diversification Association, Inc.
The Gallatin County Agricultural Diversification Association was approved for $57,000 in Gallatin County Funds to administer a menu approach which will offer four model programs. 

$10,988           Harrison County Extension District Education Fund
The Harrison County Extension District was approved for $10,988 in Harrison County funds to construct shared-use equipment storage for previously funded shared-use equipment.

$124,800         Maysville Community and Technical College
The Maysville Community and Technical College was approved for $124,800 in state funds to address the lack of technical skills among farmers in the areas of welding and diesel maintenance.

$1,108,000      Owensboro Grain Company
The Owensboro Grain Company was approved for $1,000,000 as a forgivable loan and $108,000 in County Agricultural Development Funds to finance the purchase of equipment and construct a biodiesel operation that will produce as much as 45 million gallon of bio diesel annually utilizing Kentucky grown soybeans.

$1,500             Sharpe Farm
The Sharpe Farm was approved for $1,500 in Whitley County funds for the establishment of a meat goat demonstration and research farm in Whitley County.

$1,100             The Shepherd’s Rug
The Shepherd’s Rug was approved for $1,100 in Montgomery County funds to develop, publish, and promote an instructional book which outlines a method of producing superior floor coverings using Kentucky grown wool. 

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 $85,000 and included:

$70,000           Grayson County                      $15,000           Henderson 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 $75,000 and included:

$25,000           Fayette County                        $20,000           Henderson County

$30,000           Grayson 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 $75,000 and included:

$75,000           Pulaski 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 $100,000 and included:

$20,000           Grayson County                      $80,000           Pulaski 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 $50,000 and included:

$50,000           Fayette 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 $10,000 and included:

$10,000           Webster 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 2,300 proposals committing over $196 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.**********