Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
$4,440,222 Invested in Kentucky Agricultural Diversification
Frankfort, Ky. -The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $4,440,222 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly board meeting on May 18, 2007 at the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office in Frankfort, Ky.
State and County Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the May meeting include:
$113,000 Carroll County Agriculture Development Fund, Inc.
Carroll County Agriculture Development Fund, Inc. was approved for $113,000 in Carroll County funds to administer a menu approach for six model programs including: Farm Livestock Fencing, Hay/ Straw & Commodity Storage, On-Farm Water Enhancement, Cattle Handling Facilities, Cattle Genetics Improvement, and Forage Resource Improvement and Utilization.
$20,000 Carroll County Agriculture Development Fund, Inc.
Carroll County Agriculture Development Fund, Inc. was approved for $20,000 in Carroll County funds to administer a menu approach for four model programs including: Agricultural Diversification, Dairy Diversification, Timber Production & Utilization, and Goat & Sheep Diversification.
$80,000 Clinton/Cumberland Cattlemen’s Association
The Clinton/Cumberland Cattlemen’s Association was approved for $80,000 in Cumberland County funds to administer a menu approach for five model programs including: Forage Resource Improvement and Utilization, Farm Livestock Fencing Improvement, Hay/ Straw & Commodity Storage, Cattle Handling Facilities, and Cattle Genetics Improvement.
$18,623 Fleming County Board of Education
The Fleming County Board of Education as approved for $18,623 in Fleming County funds to expand and improve the Fleming County High School FFA and Agriculture Livestock Facility.
$15,000 Gallatin County Livestock Association, Inc.
The Gallatin County Livestock Association, Inc. was approved for $15,000 in Gallatin County funds to administer a satellite broadband program in Gallatin County.
$20,000 Grant County Farm Bureau
The Grant County Farm Bureau was approved for $20,000 in Grant County funds to administer a menu approach for six model programs including: On-Farm Water Enhancement, Dairy Diversification, Swine Diversification, Timer Production & Utilization, Commercial Poultry Production, and Technology.
$12,957 Green River Area Development District, Inc.
Green River Area Development District, Inc. was approved for $12,957 in Webster County funds for two model programs including: Hay/ Straw & Commodity Storage and the Technology Program.
$294,000 Henry County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc.
The Henry County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc. was approved for $294,000 in Henry County funds to administer a menu approach for ten model programs including: Forage Resource Improvement and Utilization, Cattle Genetics, Cattle Handling Facilities, Farm Livestock Fencing, Hay/ Straw & Commodity Storage, Technology, Goat & Sheep Diversification, Dairy Diversification, Timber Production & Utilization, and Agricultural Diversification.
$35,483 Kentucky Corn Growers Association, Inc.
The Kentucky Corn Growers Association, Inc. was approved for $35,483 in state funds to assist in the funding of a coordinator to oversee and coordinate a new in-depth educational program.
$290,000 Kentucky Grape and Wine Council
The Kentucky Grape and Wine Council was approved for $290,000 in state funds to continue funding or the state viticulturist, enologist, and a technical support person for one year.
$20,000 Logan County Agricultural Extension Foundation, Inc.
The Logan County Agricultural Extension Foundation, Inc. was approved for $10,000 in state funds and $10,000 in Logan County funds as part of the 2007 Farmers’ Market Competitive Awards Program to provide an extension to the existing farmers’ market.
$4,394 Mountain Cattlemen’s Association
The Mountain Cattlemen’s Association was approved for $2,197 in Perry County funds and $2,197 in state funds as part of the 2007 Farmers’ Market Competitive Awards Program for market promotion.
$232,507 Scott County Beef Improvement Association, Inc.
The Scott County Beef Improvement Association, Inc. was approved for $232,507 in Scott County funds to administer a menu approach for eight model programs including: Cattle Handling, Cattle Genetics, Forage Resource Improvement & Utilization, Agricultural Diversification, Technology, Goat & Sheep Diversification, On-Farm Water Enhancement & Utilization and Hay/ Straw & Commodity Storage.
$185,000 Trimble County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc.
The Trimble County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc. was approved for $185,000 in Trimble County funds to administer a menu approach for ten model programs including: Agricultural Diversification, Cattle Handling Facilities, Cattle Genetics, Dairy Diversification, Fencing Improvement, Forage Resource Improvement & Utilization, Goat & Sheep Diversification, Hay/Straw & Commodity Storage, Swine Diversification and Timber Production & Utilization.
$883,545 University of Kentucky Research Foundation
The University of Kentucky Research Foundation was approved for $883,545 in state funds to fund the Kentucky Entrepreneurial Coaches Institute for two eighteen month classes.
$50,000 Woodford County Agriculture Advancement Council
The Woodford County Agriculture Advancement Council was approved for $50,000 in Woodford County funds to administer a menu approach for two model programs including: Agricultural Diversification and Fencing Improvement.
$50,000 Woodford County Agriculture Advancement Council
The Woodford County Agriculture Advancement Council was approved for $50,000 in Woodford County funds to administer a menu approach for three model programs including: Cattle Handling Facilities, Cattle Genetics, and Forage Resource Improvement & Utilization.
$50,000 Woodford County Agriculture Advancement Council
The Woodford County Agriculture Advancement Council was approved for $50,000 in Woodford County funds to administer a menu approach for two model programs including: Hay/ Straw, & Commodity Storage and Technology.
$50,000 Woodford County Agriculture Advancement Council
The Woodford County Agriculture Advancement Council was approved for $50,000 in Woodford County funds to administer a menu approach for two model programs including: On-Farm Water Enhancement & Utilization and Goat & Sheep 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 $61,500 and included:
$5,000 Bullitt County
$6,500 Hancock County
$50,000 Shelby 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 $108,657 and included:
$20,000 Bullitt County
$25,000 Lincoln County
$37,000 Madison County
$13,700 Meade County
$12,957 Webster 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 $359,050 and included:
$140,000 Adair County
$20,000 Bullitt County
$25,000 Lincoln County
$44,200 Madison County
$9,100 Meade County
$120,750 Taylor County
The Commercial Poultry Diversification Program was created to enable farmers involved in poultry production to expand the scope of their enterprise and/or modernize their facilities in order to improve profitability, Assist farmers who have not previously been involved in poultry production, encourage additional processes that will add value to the market price and impact producers affected by loss of income resulting from cuts in tobacco quota. County Commercial Poultry Diversification Programs approved by the Board totaled $118,812 and included:
$41,154 McLean County
$77,658 Ohio 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 $45,500 and included:
$6,500 Bullitt County
$14,000 Grayson County
$25,000 Lincoln 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 $95,700 and included:
$77,100 Madison County
$18,600 Meade 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 $501,097 and included:
$25,000 Bullitt County
$126,547 Hancock County
$12,000 Knox County
$25,000 Lincoln County
$117,550 Madison County
$120,000 Robertson County
$75,000 Spencer 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 $30,882 and included:
$25,582 Hardin County
$5,300 Meade 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 $629,846 and included:
$27,000 Bullitt County
$67,000 Graves County
$85,000 Hardin County
$90,000 Lincoln County
$81,450 Madison County
$165,000 Marion County
$28,896 McLean County
$13,500 Meade County
$72,000 Taylor 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 $5,000 and included:
$5,000 Bullitt 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 $11,970 and included:
$11,970 Grayson 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 $47,699 and included:
$5,000 Bullitt County
$16,199 McLean County
$16,500 Meade County
$10,000 Taylor 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 $240 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 2,896 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.