Frankfort, KY. (August 18, 2006)-The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $5,365,059 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly board meeting on August 18, 2006 at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
State and County Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the August meeting include:
$500 Carroll County 4-H Council, Inc.
Carroll County 4-H Council, Inc. was approved for $500 in Carroll County funds for renovation of the Carroll county Livestock Facility.
$12,488 Franklin County Fair and Horseshow Association, Inc.
The Franklin County Fair and Horseshow Association, Inc. was approved for $12,488 in Franklin County funds to enhance the state of the art livestock facility currently under construction at Lakeview Park.
$260,000 Green County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc.
The Green County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc. was approved for $260,000 in Green County funds to construct an agricultural marketing and education center.
$3,307,900 Kentucky Department of Agriculture
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture was approved for $3,307,900 in state funds to continue the marketing initiatives which are currently promoting the Kentucky Proud Program.
$36,558 Magoffin County Cattle Association, Inc.
Magoffin County Cattle Association, Inc. was approved for $36,558 in Magoffin County funds to administer a menu program for three model programs including: Cattle Handling Facilities, Cattle Genetics Improvement, and the Swine Diversification Program.
$73,116 Magoffin County Conservation District
The Magoffin County Conservation District was approved for $73,116 in Magoffin County funds to administer a menu program for two model programs including: Farm Livestock Fencing Improvement, and Forage Improvement and Utilization.
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 $247,279 and included:
$50,000 Boone County
$36,136 Carter County
$40,000 Grant County
$15,000 Johnson County
$14,665 Knox County
$5,000 Laurel County
$36,558 Magoffin County
$49,920 Nicholas 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 $171,960 and included:
$65,000 Breckinridge County
$62,000 Carter County
$20,000 Grant County
$24,960 Nicholas 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 $380,000 and included:
$65,000 Allen County
$100,000 Breckinridge County
$85,000 Carter County
$20,000 Grant County
$45,000 Knox County
$65,000 Nicholas 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 $229,760 and included:
$80,000 Carter County
$149,760 Nicholas 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 $241,380 and included:
$110,000 Breckinridge County
$36,500 Carter County
$20,000 Grant County
$74,880 Nicholas 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 $30,000 and included:
$10,000 Carter County
$20,000 Grant 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 $314,150 and included:
$146,500 Carter County
$65,000 Nicholas County
$102,650 Todd 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 $59,968 and included:
$40,000 Breckinridge County
$19,968 Nicholas 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 2,629 proposals committing over $221 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 Cooperative Extension Office for more information regarding model programs and when the sign ups will be held in your county.