Frankfort, Ky. -The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $2,583,458 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly board meeting on April 20, 2007 at the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office in Frankfort, Ky.
State and County Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the April meeting include:
$277,173 3AJC Appalachian Alternative Agriculture in Jackson
3AJC Appalachian Alternative Agriculture was approved for a total of $277,173 from the following: $154,700 in Jackson County funds; $25,000 in Clay County funds; and $97,473 in state funds. These funds will be used to construct a food processing center, a docking station for the mobile processing unit, and a farmers’ market pavilion.
$75,000 3AJC Appalachian Alternative Agriculture in Jackson
3AJC Appalachian Alternative Agriculture was approved for $75,000 in Jackson County funds to administer a menu approach for five model programs including: Dairy Diversification; Swine Diversification; Agricultural Diversification; Goat & Sheep Diversification; and Timber Production, Utilization, and Marketing.
$300,000 Christian County Agri-Business Association, Inc.
The Christian County Agri-Business Association, Inc. was approved for $300,000 in Christian County funds to administer a menu approach for eleven model programs including: Agricultural Diversification; Cattle Genetics; Cattle Handling Facilities; Commercial Poultry; Dairy Diversification; Forage Improvement; Goat & Sheep Diversification; Hay, Straw, & Commodity Storage; On-Farm Water Enhancement; Farm Livestock Fencing; and Technology.
$55,000 Christian County Board of Education
The Christian County Board of Education as approved for $55,000 in Christian County funds for the construction and equipment cost of a greenhouse to be located at Christian County High School.
$13,000 Elliott County Fiscal Court
The Elliott County Fiscal Court was approved for $13,000 in Elliott County funds to administer a Pilot Cervid Livestock Farming Program.
$650,000 Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council
The Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council was approved for $650,000 in state funds to contract with the University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Plant and Soil Sciences to conduct a biomass and hay production applied research and demonstration project.
$17,973 Leuchemix, Inc.
Leuchemix, Inc. was approved for $17,973 in state funds to contract with Kentucky farmers to grow feverfew plants for the next phase of the applicant’s research and development plan which is the Phase II clinical trials.
$20,000 Lincoln County Farm Bureau
The Lincoln County Farm Bureau was approved for $20,000 in Lincoln County funds to administer a program that will assist Lincoln County youth in the purchasing of reproductive female stock for cattle, sheep, and goats.
$9,700 McLean County Fiscal Court
The McLean County Fiscal Court was approved for $9,700 in McLean County funds to help with the installation of lights and perimeter fencing in the animal pavilion which is part of the McLean County 4-H Activities Center.
$20,000 Owen County Farm Bureau
The Owen County Farm Bureau was approved for $20,000 in Owen County funds to administer a Hay Handling project for the producers in Owen County.
$20,800 Russell County Cattleman’s Association, Inc.
The Russell County Cattleman’s Association, Inc. was approved for $20,800 in Russell County funds to administer a youth heifer chain.
$375,000 Washington County Cattlemen Association, Inc.
The Washington County Cattlemen Association, Inc. was approved for $375,000 in Washington County funds to continue to offer a project that includes funding for six model programs, mandatory record keeping, and participation in a CPH45 sale.
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 $24,000 and included:
$15,000 Fleming County
$9,000 Rowan 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 Fayette 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 $63,184 and included:
$10,000 Fayette County
$50,000 Robertson County
$3,184 Rowan 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 $269,600 and included:
$104,000 Clark County
$10,000 Fayette County
$79,500 Owen County
$76,100 Todd 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 $152,600 and included:
$14,000 Clark County
$52,500 Garrard County
$40,000 Harrison County
$46,100 Washington 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 $148,803 and included:
$26,250 Carlisle County
$104,000 Clark County
$10,000 Fayette County
$8,553 Hancock 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 Program approved by the Board totaled $30,000 and included:
$30,000 Robertson 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 $15,375 and included:
$15,375 Owen 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 $36,250 and included:
$26,250 Carlisle County
$10,000 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 $236 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 2,830 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.