Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
$7,107,667 Invested in Kentucky Agricultural Diversification
Frankfort, KY. (June 16, 2006)-The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $7,107,667 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly board meeting on June 16, 2006 at the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office.
State and County Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the June meeting include:
$21,000 Buffalo Trace Area Development District
The Buffalo Trace Area Development District was approved for $21,000 in Robertson County funds to administer a Heifer Replacement Program in Robertson County.
$250,000 Fayette County Rural Land Management Board, Inc.
The Fayette County Rural Land Management Board, Inc. was approved for $250,000 in Fayette County funds for the purchasing of conservation easements on rural farmland in Fayette County.
$2,500 Garrard County Fair Board
The Garrard County Fair Board was approved for $2,500 in Garrard County funds to have a concrete floor added to the marketing/exhibit building at the Garrard County Fair Grounds.
$1,500 Gone Fishin Catfish Farms, Inc.
Gone Fishin Catfish Farms, Inc. was approved for $1,500 in Grayson County funds to purchase equipment necessary to transport live fish and the construction of facilities to expand into frozen processing.
$424,818 Burton Livestock, LLC
Burton Livestock, LLC was approved for $3,000 in Fleming County funds, $2,000 in Mason County funds, and $419,818 in state funds in the form of a forgivable loan for a Holstein Heifer Replacement Program.
$1,500 Hart County Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
The Hart County Chamber of Commerce, Inc. was approved for $1,500 in Hart County to organize a farmers’ market that will be open in late June and operate until October.
$293,850 Katelyn’s Honey, Inc.
Katelyn’s Honey, Inc. was approved for $5,000 in Grant County funds and $288,850 in state funds in the form of a forgivable loan to purchase state of the art equipment to process fruits and vegetable harvested at their peak quality into premium value added products.
$1,000,000 Kentucky Agricultural Heritage Center, Inc.
The Kentucky Agricultural Heritage Center, Inc. was approved for $1,000,000 in state funds for the market/development study, the architectural design/development and the marketing/promotion of the center.
$892,500 Kentucky Community and Technical College System
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System was approved for $892,500 in state funds to continue offering courses to farmers that teach them how to effectively use computer technology for financial records, inventory, livestock records, research/marketing on the internet, communicate through e-mail and other general computer functions.
$45,000 Mason County Board of Education
The Mason County Board of Education was approved for $45,000 in Mason County funds to construct an instructional greenhouse for the Mason County High School.
$20,000 Meade County Riverport Authority
The Meade County Riverport Authority was approved for $20,000 in Meade County funds to assist with the preliminary engineering and design costs for the overall development of the Meade County Riverport that is capable of receiving grain and other agriculture products for shipment to domestic and overseas markets.
$75,000 Metcalfe County Fiscal Court
Metcalfe County Fiscal Court was approved for $75,000 in Metcalfe County funds to construct the Metcalfe County Agricultural Marketing and Exhibition Center
$118,000 Mt. Sterling-Montgomery County Industrial Authority
The Mt. Sterling-Montgomery County Industrial Authority was approved for $108,000 in Montgomery County funds and $10,000 in Bath County funds to continue cost-sharing the services of a regional marketing specialist to assist Montgomery County and other farmers in the region, in marketing agricultural commodities and value-added products.
$3,000 Serenity Hill Fiber and Living History Farm, LLC
Serenity Hill Fiber and Living History Farm, LLC was approved for $3,000 in Jessamine County funds to assist in the restoration of an historic log cabin which is serving as a retail outlet for Kentucky products.
$5,000 Southern Kentucky Regional Farmers’ Market, Inc.
The Southern Kentucky Regional Farmers’ Market, Inc. was approved for $5,000 in Warren County funds to assist with the 2006 advertising budget.
$25,000 Spencer County Public Schools
Spencer County Public Schools was approved for $25,000 in Spencer County funds to purchase seven agricultural computer modules for the Career Learning Center.
$13,360 Taylor County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc.
Taylor County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc. was approved for $13,360 in Taylor County funds to administer a youth heifer chain.
Approved Farmers’ Market Competitive Awards
$10, 200 City of Springfield
The City of Springfield was funded for $5,100 in Washington County funds and $5,100 in states funds as part of the Farmers’ Market Competitive Awards program to complete a farmers’ market pavilion project in downtown Springfield.
$5,000 Cumberland Farm Products Association, Inc.
Cumberland Farm Products Association, Inc. was approved for $2,500 in Wayne County funds and $2,500 in state funds as part of the Farmers’ Market Competitive Awards program to purchase produce display coolers for the Monticello location.
$18,000 Lawrence County Extension District Board
The Lawrence County Extension District Board was approved for $18,000 in state funds to construct a farmers’ market shed as part of the Farmer’s Market Competitive Awards program.
$125,000 London-Laurel County Farmers Market Association
The London-Laurel County Farmers’ Market Association was approved for $75,000 in Laurel County funds and $50,000 in state funds as part of the Farmers’ Market Competitive Awards program to expand the London-Laurel County Farmers’ Market Facility.
Approved Menu Approach Programs
$200,000 Monroe County Conservation District
The Monroe County Conservation District was approved for $200,000 in Monroe County funds to administer a menu approach for five model programs including, Cattle Handling Facilities, Forage Resource and Utilization, Cattle Genetics Improvement, On-Farm Water Enhancement, and Farm Livestock Fencing Improvement.
$220,200 Morgan County Fiscal Court
The Morgan County Fiscal Court was approved for $220,200 in Morgan County funds to administer a menu approach for four model programs including Hay, Straw & Commodity Storage, Cattle Handling Facilities, Farm Livestock Fencing, and Goat & Sheep Diversification.
$226,000 Trimble County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc.
The Trimble County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc. was approved for $226,000 in Trimble County funds to administer a menu approach for eleven model programs including Forage Improvement, Genetics Improvement, Cattle Handling Facilities, Livestock Fencing, Hay, Straw & Commodity Storage, Technology, Goat & Sheep Diversification, Dairy Diversification, Timber Utilization, Swine Diversification, and Agricultural Diversification.
$95,000 Woodford County Agriculture Advancement Council, Inc.
The Woodford County Agriculture Advancement Council, Inc. was approved for $95,000 in Woodford County funds to administer an agricultural diversification menu approach for two model programs including Agricultural Diversification and Farm Livestock Fencing.
$60,000 Woodford County Agriculture Advancement Council, Inc.
The Woodford County Agriculture Advancement Council, Inc. was approved for $60,000 in Woodford County funds to administer a cattle menu approach for three model programs including Cattle Handling Facilities, Cattle Genetics, and Forage Improvement.
$71,351 Woodford County Agriculture Advancement Council, Inc.
The Woodford County Agriculture Advancement Council, Inc. was approved for $71,351 in Woodford County funds to administer a menu approach for two model programs including Hay, Straw and Commodity Storage and Technology.
$30,000 Woodford County Agriculture Advancement Council, Inc.
The Woodford County Agriculture Advancement Council, Inc. was approved for $95,000 in Woodford County funds to administer a livestock menu approach for two model programs including On Farm Water and Goat & Sheep Diversification.
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 producers in the development and expansion of new agricultural products and through the development of new ways of working with existing agricultural commodities. There are twelve investment areas represented in this program. County Agricultural Diversification Programs approved by the Board totaled $142,975 and included:
$4,000 Breckinridge County
$30,000 Elliott County
$25,000 McLean County
$8,000 Nelson County
$70,725 Shelby County
$5,250 Warren County
The Cattle Genetic Improvement program increases the genetic quality of beef and dairy cattle in Kentucky through the selection of superior sires, either through purchase/lease of sires or artificial insemination (AI). County Cattle Genetics Improvement Programs approved by the Board totaled $156,155 and included:
$15,000 Daviess County
$30,000 Elliott County
$25,000 Garrard County
$25,000 Hart County
$9,500 McLean County
$30,000 Mercer County
$10,000 Nelson County
$11,655 Webster 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 in the Commonwealth. County Cattle Handling Programs approved by the Board totaled $562,400 and included:
$100,000 Barren County
$45,000 Daviess County
$40,000 Elliott County
$200,000 Fleming County
$50,000 Hart County
$70,000 Mercer County
$50,000 Nelson County
$7,400 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 $245,300 and included:
$100,000 Barren County
$50,000 Fleming County
$30,000 Mercer County
$38,700 Shelby County
$26,600 Warren 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 $180,000 and included:
$20,000 Caldwell County
$100,000 Fleming County
$60,000 Mercer 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 $753,972 and included:
$200,000 Barren County
$106,772 Daviess County
$40,000 Elliott County
$150,000 Fleming County
$30,000 Franklin County
$21,000 Garrard County
$65,500 Hart County
$10,000 Knox County
$35,700 Marshall County
$35,000 Mercer County
$60,000 Warren County
The Goat and Sheep Diversification program works to assist producers as they venture into goat and sheep production. County Goat Diversification Programs approved by the Board totaled $141,000 and included:
$12,000 Breckinridge County
$55,000 Elliott County
$50,000 Hart County
$2,000 McLean County
$2,000 Nelson County
$20,000 Spencer 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 $498,500 and included:
$20,000 Caldwell County
$74,000 Madison County
$59,500 McLean County
$40,000 Mercer County
$60,000 Nelson County
$245,000 Shelby 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 $50,000 and included:
$40,000 Elliott County
$10,000 Franklin 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 $11,586 and included:
$11,586 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 $78,000 and included:
$25,000 Caldwell County
$37,500 Daviess County
$9,000 McLean County
$6,500 Warren 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 $35,000 and included:
$10,000 Fleming County
Governor Ernie Fletcher and the Kentucky General Assembly continue 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 2,547 proposals committing over $212 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.**********