Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
$1,217,231 Invested in Kentucky Agricultural Diversification
Frankfort, KY. (November 17, 2006)-The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $1,217,231 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly board meeting on November 17, 2006 at Buckhorn Lake State Park in Buckhorn, Kentucky.
State and County Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the November meeting include:
$11,279 Carroll County Agriculture Development Fund, Inc.
Carroll County Agriculture Development Fund, Inc. was approved for $11,279 in Carroll County Funds to administer the Satellite Broadband Program for Carroll County producers.
$125,000 Clinton County Farm Bureau Inc.
The Clinton County Farm Bureau Inc. was approved for $125,000 in Clinton County Funds to administer a menu approach for six model programs including: Hay, Straw and Commodity Storage, Cattle Handling Facilities, Farm Livestock Fencing Improvement, Dairy Diversification, Cattle Genetics Improvement and Agricultural Diversification for Clinton County Farmers.
$94,500 The Estill County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc.
The Estill County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc. was approved for $94,500 in Estill County Funds to administer a menu approach for four model programs including: Cattle Genetics Improvement, Farm Livestock Fencing Improvement, Cattle Handling Facilities, and Hay, Straw, and Commodity Storage.
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 $153,668 and included:
$27,000 Barren County
$21,000 Breathitt County
$19,700 Jessamine County
$24,663 Kenton County
$44,655 Montgomery County
$16,650 Todd 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 $144,100 and included:
$42,800 Bourbon County
$26,300 Breathitt County
$25,000 Clark County
$50,000 Jessamine 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 $4,500 and included:
$4,500 Jessamine 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 $67,172 and included:
$36,750 Breathitt County
$30,422 Montgomery 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 $414,626 and included:
$157,000 Bourbon County
$150,000 Casey County
$ 33,156 Hart County
$ 44,470 Montgomery County
$ 30,000 Rowan 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 $45,750 and included:
$ 5,250 Bourbon County
$10,000 Franklin County
$16,500 Jessamine County
$14,000 Laurel 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 $53,500 and included:
$53,500 Bourbon 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 $94,500 and included:
$94,500 Bourbon 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 $8,636 and included:
$8,636 Fayette 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 $226 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 2,701 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.