Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
$5,553,701 Invested in Kentucky Agricultural Diversification
Frankfort, Ky. -The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $5,553,701 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly board meeting on July 20, 2007 at Hilton Cincinnati Airport in Florence, Ky.
State and County Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the July meeting include:
$240,000 Buffalo Trace Development District
Buffalo Trace Development District was approved for $240,000 in Bracken County funds to administer a menu approach for seven model programs including: Dairy Diversification; Farm Livestock Fencing; Hay/Straw & Commodity Storage; Cattle Handling Facilities; Cattle Genetics; Swine Diversification; and Technology.
$375,000 Buffalo Trace Development District
Buffalo Trace Development District was approved for $375,000 in Fleming County funds to administer a menu approach for seven model programs including: Dairy Diversification; Farm Livestock Fencing; Hay/Straw & Commodity Storage; Cattle Handling Facilities; Cattle Genetics; Forage Resource Improvement; and Technology.
$15,000 Bullitt County Extension District Board
Bullitt County Extension District Board was approved for $15,000 in Bullitt County funds to construct a livestock show arena.
$35,430 Campbell County Conservation District
Campbell County Conservation District was approved for $35,430 in Campbell County funds to administer a menu approach for eight model programs including: Agricultural Diversification; Hay/Straw & Commodity Storage; Cattle Handling Facilities; Cattle Genetics; Goat & Sheep Diversification; On-Farm Water; Farm Livestock Fencing; and Forage Improvement.
$49,000 Edmonson County Cattleman’s Association
Edmonson County Cattleman’s Association was approved for $49,000 in Edmonson County funds to administer a menu approach for four model programs including; Hay/Straw & Commodity Storage; Cattle Handling Facilities; Cattle Genetics; and Goat & Sheep Diversification.
$128,000 Franklin County Cattleman’s Association
The Franklin County Cattleman’s Association was approved for $128,000 in Franklin County funds to administer a menu approach for six model programs including: Cattle Genetics Improvement, Cattle Handling Facilities, Hay/Straw & Commodity Storage, Farm Livestock Fencing Improvement, Agricultural Diversification and Technology.
$36,200 Garrard County Fair Board
The Garrard County Fair Board was approved for $36,200 in Garrard County funds to construct a Livestock Sale and Exhibition Barn to be located at the Garrard County Fairgrounds.
$265,000 Green County Cattlemen’s Association
The Green County Cattlemen’s Association was approved for $265,000 in Green County funds to administer a menu approach for ten model programs including: Agricultural Diversification; Hay/Straw & Commodity Storage; Cattle Handling Facilities; Cattle Genetics; Goat & Sheep Diversification; On-Farm Water; Farm Livestock Fencing; Dairy Diversification; Forage Improvement and Technology.
$50,000 Hart County Extension District Board
The Hart County Extension District Board was approved for $50,000 in Hart County funds to construct a building to serve as a facility that will provide independent producers with critical information and assistance to develop value-added agricultural enterprises.
$15,000 John’s Custom Meats, LLC
John’s Custom Meats, LLC was approved for $15,000 in Warren County Agricultural Development Funds to complete construction on John’s Custom Meats USDA inspected facility.
$22,000 Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association
The Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association was approved for $22,000 in Jackson County funds to administer a menu approach for six model programs including: Hay/Straw & Commodity Storage; Cattle Handling Facilities; Cattle Genetics; On-Farm Water; Farm Livestock Fencing; and Forage Improvement.
$2,474,744 Kentucky Beef Network, LLC
The Kentucky Beef Network, LLC was approved for $2,474,744 in state funds to continue current programs that increase producer profitability through education, on-farm management and marketing.
$27,500 Magoffin County Cattle Association
The Magoffin County Cattle Association was approved for $27,500 in Magoffin County funds to administer a menu approach for three model programs including: Cattle Handling Facilities, Cattle Genetics and Swine Diversification.
$53,296 Oldham County Farm Bureau
The Oldham County Farm Bureau was approved for $53,296 in Oldham County funds to administer a menu approach for eleven model programs including: Agricultural Diversification; Hay/Straw & Commodity Storage; Cattle Handling Facilities; Cattle Genetics; Goat & Sheep Diversification; Swine Diversification; Farm Livestock Fencing; Dairy Diversification; Forage Improvement; Timber Production; and Technology.
$5,000 Southeast Vintners, LLC
The Southeast Vintners, LLC was approved for $5,000 in Fayette County funds to expand the current on-farm kitchen and dining facilities.
$5,000 Sunderland Farm
The Sunderland Farm was approved for $5,000 in Harrison County funds to expand their current wood processing business.
$20,000 Voice, Video and Data Services
Voice, Video and Data Services was approved for $20,000 in Owen County funds to administer a Rural Broadband Wireless Internet program for tobacco dependent farmers in Owen County.
$105,000 Washington County Cattlemen Association, Inc.
The Washington County Cattlemen Association, Inc. was approved for $105,000 in Washington County funds to administer a Beginning /Young Farmer Program.
$50,000 Woodford County Agriculture Advancement Council
The Woodford County Agriculture Advancement Council was approved for $50,000 in Woodford County funds to administer the Hay Handling Equipment Program for Woodford County.
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 $101,402 and included:
$19,902 Bourbon County
$20,000 Bracken County
$22,000 Carter County
$27,500 Magoffin County
$12,000 Nelson 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 $50,000 and included:
$25,000 Carter County
$15,000 Kenton County
$10,000 Rowan 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 $40,000 and included:
$30,000 Carter County
$10,000 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 $122,752 and included:
$32,100 Bourbon County
$12,652 Caldwell County
$48,000 Carter County
$20,000 Kenton County
$10,000 Rowan 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 $456,977 and included:
$155,400 Bourbon County
$100,000 Bracken County
$40,000 Breckinridge County
$38,000 Carter County
$30,000 Franklin County
$16,177 Marshall County
$67,000 Nelson County
$10,400 Whitley 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 $65,500 and included:
$14,000 Allen County
$10,000 Butler County
$3,500 Carter County
$10,000 Franklin County
$3,000 Grayson County
$10,000 Kenton County
$5,000 Nelson County
$10,000 Rowan 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 $487,579 and included:
$100,000 Boone County
$40,000 Breckinridge County
$25,000 Caldwell County
$120,000 Carter County
$30,000 Kenton County
$40,000 Laurel County
$55,000 Magoffin County
$31,579 Marshall County
$30,000 Nelson County
$16,000 Rowan 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 $139,750 and included:
$99,750 Bourbon County
$40,000 Breckinridge 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 $118,571 and included:
$32,000 Adair County
$25,000 Caldwell County
$61,571 Ohio 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 $250 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 3,037 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.