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

$50,000           Beech Spring Farm
The Beech Spring Farm was approved for $50,000 in state funds as part of the 2006 Agri-tourism Competitive Awards Program to purchase a large cooler and install a certified kitchen at their on-farm market.   

$50,000           Bennett’s Mill Farm, LLC
Bennett’s Mill Farm, LLC was approved for $50,000 in state funds as part of the 2006 Agri-tourism Competitive Awards Program to remodel a tobacco barn and build a commercial grade kitchen.   

$30,000           City-County Fair Association, Inc. 
The City-County Fair Association, Inc. was approved for $15,000 in Cumberland County Agricultural Development Funds and $15,000 in state funds to finish construction on a permanent marketing facility.   

$50,000           Farm Haven, LLC
Farm Haven, LLC was approved for $50,000 in state funds as part of the 2006 Agri-tourism Competitive Awards Program to construct a sugar shack for maple syrup production.   

$27,280           Hancock County Fiscal Court
The Hancock County Fiscal Court was approved for $13,640 in Hancock County funds and $13,640 in state funds as part of the 2006 Farmer’s Market Competitive Awards Program to construct a permanent Farmers’ Market facility in Hancock County.   

$2,484,700      Kentucky Horticulture Council, Inc.
The Kentucky Horticulture Council was approved for $2,484,700 in state funds to continue to support the growth of horticulture on family farms through on-farm demonstrations and assistance, product and production system development, market development and market sustainability.   

$40,000           Logan County Agricultural Extension Foundation, Inc.
The Logan County Agricultural Extension Foundation, Inc. was approved for $20,000 in Logan County Funds and $20,000 in state funds as part of the 2006 Farmers’ Market Competitive Awards Program to complete the Logan County Farmers’ Market.   

$75,000           Metro Development Authority
The Metro Development Authority was approved for $75,000 in state funds as part of the 2006 Farmers’ Market Competitive Awards Program to conduct a feasibility study and business plan for a state of the art agricultural goods and marketing facility in downtown Louisville.   

$50,000           Southern & Eastern Kentucky Tourism Development
The Southern & Eastern Kentucky Tourism Development was approved for $50,000 in state funds as part of the Agri-tourism Competitive Awards Program to promote Agri-tourism ventures in their region.

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 Cooperative 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 $127,710 and included:

$22,710           Daviess County

$105,000         Owsley 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 $92,500 and included:

$52,500           Harrison County                                             

$40,000           Nelson 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 $52,500 and included:

$52,500           Owsley 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 $45,000 and included:

$45,000           Mercer 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 $5,000 and included:

$5,000             Daviess County           

Governor Fletcher and the Kentucky Legislature continue to make great strides toward lessening Kentucky’s dependence on tobacco production while revitalizing the farm economy by investing 50 percent of Kentucky's Master Settlement Agreement into the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund.  To date, Kentucky has invested more than $225 million to an array of county, regional and state projects designed to increase net farm income and create sustainable new farm-based business enterprises. The diversification programs represent more than 2,672 projects that have been funded through Agricultural Development Fund, since the inception of the program in January 2001.

*Please contact the County Cooperative Extension Office for more information regarding model programs and when the sign ups will be held in your county.