Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
$1,408,136 Invested in Kentucky Agricultural Diversification
Frankfort, Ky. -The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $1,408,136 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly board meeting on Friday, September 28 at the University of Kentucky E.S. Good Barn in Lexington, Ky.
State and County Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the September meeting include:
$25,000 Buffalo Trace Development District
Buffalo Trace Development District was approved for $25,000 in Mason County funds to administer a Heifer Replacement Program.
$8,000 Garrard County Farm Bureau, Inc.
Garrard County Farm Bureau was approved for $8,000 in Garrard County funds to administer a program to assist Garrard County youth in the purchasing of livestock.
$52,500 Greenup County Farm Bureau, Inc.
Greenup County Farm Bureau, Inc. was approved for $52,500 in Greenup County funds to administer a Forage Equipment Cost-share Program.
$50,000 Hart County Fair Association, Inc.
The Hart County Fair Association, Inc. was approved for $50,000 in Hart County funds to construct an Agriculture Promotion Center at the Hart County Fairgrounds.
$125,000 Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc.
Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc. was approved for $125,000 in Jackson County funds to administer a menu approach for two model programs including: Forage Improvement & Utilization and Hay, Straw & Commodity Storage.
$125,000 Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc.
Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc. was approved for $125,000 in Jackson County funds to administer a menu approach for four model programs including: Cattle Genetics Improvement; Cattle Handling Facilities; Farm Livestock Fencing Improvement; and On-Farm Water Enhancement.
$16,000 Mercer County Cooperative Extension Service
The Mercer County Cooperative Extension Service was approved for $16,000 in Mercer County funds to construct a shared-use equipment barn.
$5,030 Mountain Cattlemen’s Association
The Mountain Cattlemen’s Association was approved for $5,030 in Perry County funds to administer a menu approach for five model programs including: Agricultural Diversification; Cattle Genetics Improvement; Goat & Sheep Diversification; Farm Livestock Fencing Improvement; and Forage Improvement and Utilization.
$20,000 Rockcastle County Conservation District
The Rockcastle County Conservation District was approved for $20,000 in Rockcastle County funds to administer a menu approach for two model programs including: Agricultural Diversification and Dairy Diversification.
$140,000 Wolfe County Conservation District
The Wolfe County Conservation District was approved for $140,000 in Wolfe County funds to administer a menu approach for four model programs including: Agricultural Diversification; Cattle Handling Facilities; Goat & Sheep Diversification; and Hay, Straw & Commodity Storage.
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 $153,003 and included:
$26,000 Clark County
$21,500 Fayette County
$52,000 Grant County
$31,253 Hardin County
$2,250 McCreary County
$20,000 Whitley 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 $58,800 and included:
$20,800 Grant County
$3,000 McCreary County
$35,000 Nelson 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 $79,800 and included:
$21,000 Carlisle County
$20,800 Grant County
$3,000 McCreary County
$35,000 Nelson 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 $127,000 and included:
$52,000 Grant County
$75,000 Rockcastle 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 $150,300 and included:
$52,000 Clark County
$52,500 Fayette County
$20,800 Grant County
$5,000 McCreary County
$20,000 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 $35,800 and included:
$20,800 Grant County
$15,000 Marion 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 $94,232 and included:
$52,000 Grant County
$42,232 McCracken 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 $69,550 and included:
$69,550 Fayette 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 $20,621 and included:
$6,773 Fayette County
$12,000 Mason County
$1,848 Rowan County
The Timber Production, Utilization & Marketing program allows producers to enhance timber production and processing on rural lands, while developing new revenue sources by growing and utilizing existing and new natural resources. County Timber Production, Utilization & Marketing Programs approved by the Board totaled $52,500 and included:
$52,500 Owsley 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 $252 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 3,076 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.