Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
$972,776 Invested in Kentucky Agricultural Diversification

The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $972,776 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly board meeting on February 17, 2006 at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

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

$6,000             Jessamine County FFA Alumni Association
The Jessamine County FFA Alumni Association was approved for $6,000 in Jessamine County funds to cost-share with youth for 4H/FFA projects.

$150,000         Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association
The Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc. was approved for $150,000 in Jackson County funds to offer two model programs in a menu approach.

$100,000         Lexington Lion’s Club
The Lexington Lion’s Club was approved for $100,000 in Fayette County funds for the Lexington Lion’s Club to assist in the construction of a livestock education and show facility.

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 $6,850 and included:

$6,850             Taylor County (two applications)                               

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 $72,000 and included:

$52,500           Bracken County                     
$12,500           Montgomery County
$7,000             Simpson 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 $21,000 and included:

$21,000           Montgomery 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 $8,750 and included:

$8,750             Simpson 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 $45,000 and included:

$45,000           Montgomery 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 $413,433 and included:

$36,750           Carlisle County
$20,000           Garrard County                                  
$26,000           Jessamine County                             
$11,500           Montgomery County
$169,183         Morgan County
$75,000           Robertson County
$75,000           Spencer 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 $23,743 and included:

$9,743             Jessamine County                             
$14,000           Washington 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           Montgomery 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 $57,000 and included:

$57,000           Robertson 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 $19,000 and included:

$19,000           Montgomery County

The Kentucky General Assembly 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 2,323 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.**********