Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
$4,202,282 Invested in Kentucky Agricultural Diversification
Frankfort, KY. (July 21, 2006)-The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $4,202,282 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly board meeting on July 21, 2006 at Wolfe’s Banquet and Convention in Henderson, Kentucky.
State and County Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the July meeting include:
$136,097 Anderson County Farm Bureau, Inc.
Anderson County Farm Bureau, Inc. was approved for $136,097 in Anderson County funds to administer a menu program for eleven model programs including: Technology, Agricultural Diversification, Timber, Hay-Straw and Commodity Storage, On-Farm Water, Forage Improvement and Utilization, Cattle Genetics, Farm Livestock Fencing, Cattle Handling Facilities, Goat and Sheep Diversification, and Swine.
$262,500 Bracken County Ag Advancement Council
The Bracken County Ag Advancement Council was approved for $262,500 in Bracken County funds to administer a menu program for four model programs including: Cattle Handling Facilities, Technology, Farm Livestock Fencing, and Hay, Straw and Commodity Storage.
$80,000 Buffalo Trace Area Development District
The Buffalo Trace Area Development District was approved for $80,000 in Robertson County funds to administer a Hay Handling Project. This will allow producers to improve the capacity, profit, and handling of hay and straw through more efficient handling equipment.
$33,152 Campbell County Conservation District
Campbell County Conservation District was approved for $33,152 in Campbell County funds to administer a menu approach for six model programs including: Cattle Handling Facilities, Cattle Genetics, Agricultural Diversification, Forage Improvement and Utilization, Hay, Straw and Commodity Storage, and Farm Livestock Fencing.
$2,068,170 Kentucky Dairy Development Council, Inc.
Kentucky Dairy Development Council, Inc. was approved for $2,068,170 in state funds to provide technical assistance and financial incentives to Kentucky dairy farmers. This program will be to address the deficiency in Kentucky’s milk production by improving efficiencies and increasing production per cow.
$50,000 Lewis County Conservation District
The Lewis County Conservation District was approved for $50,000 in Lewis County funds to administer a Hay Handling Project to allow producers the ability to obtain handling equipment for hay, straw, and grain.
$14,656 Logan County Agricultural Extension Foundation, Inc.
The Logan County Agricultural Extension Foundation, Inc. was approved for $14,656 in Logan County funds to purchase equipment to support a Livestock Marketing Initiative that will utilize the Logan County Farmers’ Market facility that was recently constructed with the assistance of Agricultural Development Funds.
$40,289 Logan County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc.
The Logan County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc. was approved for $40,289 in Logan County funds to administer a menu program for three model programs including: Cattle Handling Facilities, Forage Improvement and Utilization, and Livestock Fencing Improvement.
$63,628 Muhlenberg County Farmers Market Association, Inc.
Muhlenberg County Farmers’ Market Association, Inc was approved for $63,628 in Muhlenberg County funds to administer an On-Farm Drainage Enhancement Program which will provide cost-share assistance to producers who are installing tile drainage systems on their land.
$146,360 University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky was approved for $146,360 in state funds to continue funding the Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program for twenty agriculturalists.
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 $199,697 and included:
$42,000 Bracken County
$75,000 Fayette County
$22,697 Henderson County
$15,000 Logan County
$20,000 Marion County
$25,000 Mercer 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 $109,728 and included:
$55,000 Allen County
$20,000 Hancock County
$6,304 Henderson County
$12,123 Lewis County
$5,000 Logan County
$11,301 Robertson 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 $67,238 and included:
$15,000 Hancock County
$12,238 Henderson County
$40,000 Marion 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 $5,000 and included:
$5,000 Logan 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 $40,000 and included:
$40,000 Grant 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 $150,000 and included:
$50,000 Fayette County
$100,000 Hancock 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 $62,750 and included:
$12,000 Boyle County
$15,000 Clark County
$20,000 Marion County
$15,750 Taylor 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 $573,417 and included:
$75,000 Allen County
$15,000 Bullitt County
$66,417 Butler County
$40,000 Grant County
$15,000 Hancock County
$70,000 Larue County
$50,000 Logan County
$127,000 Marion County
$100,000 Robertson County
$15,000 Rowan 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 $89,600 and included:
$4,000 Bullitt County
$85,600 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 Logan 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 2,595 proposals committing over $216 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.**********