Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
$1,395,478 Invested in Kentucky Agricultural Diversification
Frankfort, KY. (September 15, 2006)-The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $1,395,478 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly board meeting on September 15, 2006 at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Kentucky.
State and County Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the September meeting include:
$8,000 Campbell County Conservation District
The Campbell County Conservation District was approved for $8,000 in Campbell County funds to administer the Hay Handling Pilot Program for Campbell County.
$118,500 Green County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc.
The Green County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc. was approved for $118,500 in Green County funds to administer a menu approach for the Cattle Handling Facilities Program, Cattle Genetics Improvement Program, Forage Resource Improvement and Utilization Program, and the On-Farm Water Enhancement Program.
$184,000 Kentucky Sheep and Wool Producers, Inc.
Kentucky Sheep and Wool Producers, Inc. was approved for $184,000 in state funds to establish the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office.
$31,615 Morgan County Fiscal Court
The Morgan County Fiscal Court was approved for $31,615 in Morgan County funds to administer a satellite brad band program in Morgan County.
$10,500 Spencer County Farm Bureau, Inc.
The Spencer County Farm Bureau, Inc. was approved for $10,500 in Spencer County funds to administer a satellite broad band program in Spencer County.
$81,500 Todd County Conservation District
The Todd County Conservation District was approved for $81,500 in Todd County funds to administer an On-Farm Drainage Enhancement Program.
$12,500 Tollesboro Lions Club, Inc.
The Tollesboro Lions Club, Inc. was approved for $12,500 in Lewis County funds for additions to the Dairy Barn and Fair Pavilion.
$50,000 Wight-Meyer Vineyard and Winery, LLC
The Wight-Meyer Vineyard and Winery, LLC was approved for $50,000 in state funds as part of the Agri-tourism Competitive Grant Program to expand the winery tasting room and to add and event pavilion.
$40,000 Wildside Vines, LLC
The Wildside Vines, LLC was approved for $40,000 in state funds as part of the Agri-tourism Competitive Grant Program to expand their winery facility.
$141,863 Wolfe County Conservation District
The Wolfe County Conservation District was approved for $141,863 in Wolfe County funds to administer a menu approach for the Hay, Straw, and Commodity Storage Program and the Cattle Handling Facilities Program.
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 $87,000 and included:
$29,000 Clinton County
$42,000 Spencer County
$16,000 Whitley 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 $40,000 and included:
$30,000 Boone County
$10,000 Rowan 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 $72,000 and included:
$30,000 Laurel County
$42,000 Spencer 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 $26,250 and included:
$26,250 Spencer County
The Farm Livestock 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 $217,000 and included:
$112,000 Boone County
$73,500 Green County
$31,500 Spencer County
The Forage Improvement & Utilization 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 $40,000 and included:
$40,000 Estill 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 $113,500 and included:
$40,000 Laurel County
$73,500 Spencer County
The Swine Diversification program allows new and existing swine producers to establish or renovate pork facilities. County Swine Diversification Programs approved by the Board totaled $15,750 and included:
$15,750 Spencer 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 $75,500 and included:
$75,500 Larue 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 $30,000 and included:
$30,000 Lewis 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 2,656 proposals committing over $222 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.