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Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
$790,383 Invested in Kentucky Agricultural Diversification
Frankfort, Ky. -The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $790,383 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly board meeting on March 16, 2007 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Louisville, Ky.
State and County Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the March meeting include:
$52,500 Bath County Cattleman’s Association
The Bath County Cattleman’s Association was approved for $52,500 in Bath County Funds to administer a menu approach for three model programs including: Cattle Genetic Improvement, Cattle Handling Facilities, and Farm Livestock Fencing.
$30,000 Gallatin County Agricultural Diversification Program
The Gallatin County Agricultural Diversification Program was approved for $30,000 in Gallatin County Funds to administer a menu approach for five model programs including: Agricultural Diversification; Dairy Diversification; Timber Production and Utilization; Goat Diversification; and Technology.
$30,000 Gallatin County Livestock Association
The Gallatin County Livestock Association was approved for $30,000 in Gallatin County Funds to administer a menu approach for six model programs including: Hay, Straw, and Commodity Storage; Farm Livestock Fencing; Cattle Handling Facilities; Cattle Genetics Improvement; Forage Improvement; and Technology.
$75,000 Harrison County Beef Cattle Association
The Harrison County Beef Cattle Association was approved for $75,000 in Harrison County Funds to administer a Heifer Replacement Program.
$9,870 Montgomery County Farmers’ Market
Montgomery County Farmers’ Market was approved for $9,870 to administer a Satellite Broadband Program in Montgomery County.
$235,893 Pendleton County Agricultural Diversification Association
The Pendleton County Agricultural Diversification Association was approved for $235,893 in Pendleton County Funds to administer a menu approach for eleven model programs including: Hay, Straw and Commodity; Cattle Genetics Improvement; Farm Livestock Fencing; Cattle Handling Facilities; Forage Improvement; Dairy Diversification; Dairy Diversification; Goat and Sheep Diversification; Timber Production; Agricultural Diversification; Technology; and Swine Diversification.
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 $60,500 and included:
$50,000 Owen County
$10,500 Washington 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 $10,000 and included:
$10,000 Grayson 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 $64,000 and included:
$10,000 Grayson County
$20,000 Johnson County
$34,000 Marion 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 $10,000 and included:
$10,000 Marion 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 $15,000 and included:
$5,000 Grayson County
$10,000 Grayson 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 $28,000 and included:
$28,000 Lincoln 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 $157,500 and included:
$52,500 Greenup County
$105,000 Lee 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 $12,120 and included:
$12,120 Russell 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 $234 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 2,795 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.
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