Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
$1,610,997 Invested in Kentucky Agricultural Diversification
Frankfort, Ky. -The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $1,610,997 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly board meeting on February 16, 2007 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky.
State and County Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the February meeting include:
$5,000 Burgin Independent FFA Chapter
The Burgin Independent FFA Chapter was approved for $5,000 in Mercer County Funds to remodel the existing greenhouse, and to purchase equipment needed for a productive working greenhouse facility.
$41,000 Jessamine County FFA Alumni Association, Inc.
The Jessamine County FFA Alumni Association, Inc. was approved for $41,000 in Jessamine County Funds for the construction costs of a greenhouse to be located at East Jessamine High School.
$154,748 Kentucky Goat Producers Association, Inc.
The Kentucky Goat Producers Association was approved for $154,748 in state funds for goat and forage research in Kentucky.
$41,000 Mimi’s Kitchen, LLC
Mimi’s Kitchen, LLC was approved for $41,000 in Owen County Funds to open a certified kitchen in Owen County that will provide producers a way for local farmers to earn extra income from products they produce.
$9,239 Rowan County Fiscal Court
Rowan County Fiscal Court was approved for $9,239 in Rowan County Funds to administer a Heifer Replacement Program in Rowan County.
$6,500 University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky Research Foundation was approved for $6,500 in state funds to offer a pilot risk management program for Kentucky farm women.
$200,000 Shelby County Cattlemen’s Association
The Shelby County Cattlemen’s Association was approved for $200,000 in Shelby County Funds to administer a menu approach for five model programs including: Goat and Sheep Diversification; Forage Improvement and Utilization; Cattle Genetics Improvement; Dairy Diversification; and Cattle Handling.
$300,000 Shelby County Farm Bureau
The Shelby County Farm Bureau was approved for $300,000 in Shelby County Funds to administer a menu approach for three model programs including: Farm Livestock Fencing; Hay, Straw and Commodity Storage; and Technology.
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 Program approved by the Board totaled $40,324 and included:
$10,300 Boyle County
$17,388 Harrison County
$12,636 Lewis 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 Program approved by the Board totaled $42,400 and included:
$42,400 Owen 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 $4,000 and included:
$4,000 Boyle 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 $198,744 and included:
$103,000 Boyle County
$50,000 Harrison County
$45,744 Lewis 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 $133,000 and included:
$103,000 Boyle County
$30,000 Harrison 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 $5,000 and included:
$5,000 Harrison 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 $313,707 and included:
$157,740 Ballard County
$50,000 Harrison County
$50,000 Lewis County
$5,000 Lyon County
$50,967 McCracken 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 Program approved by the Board totaled $49,335 and included:
$2,815 Clay County
$16,195 Lee County
$16,875 Owen County
$13,450 Whitley 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 $67,000 and included:
$52,000 Hardin County
$15,000 Nelson 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 $233 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 2,776 projects that have been funded through Agricultural Development Fund, since the inception of the program in January 2001.