Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
$4,108,829 Invested in Kentucky Agricultural Diversification
Frankfort, Ky. -The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Steve Beshear, approved $4,108,829 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly board meeting on Friday, May 16 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:
$7,480 Breckinridge County Board of Education
The Breckinridge County Board of Education was approved for $7,480 in Breckinridge County funds to administer an educational welding program for tobacco-dependent farmers.
$12,500 Central Kentucky Agritourism Association, Inc.
The Central Kentucky Agritourism Association, Inc. was approved for $12,500 in State funds as part of the 2008 Agri-tourism Awards Program.
$50,000 City of Lebanon
The City of Lebanon was approved for $25,000 in Marion County funds and $25,000 in State funds as a part of the 2008 Farmers’ Market Awards Program.
$50,000 Fayette County Public Schools
Fayette County Public Schools was approved for $50,000 in Fayette County funds to assist with the construction of an Equine Science Facility.
$17,500 London-Laurel County Farmers Market Association, Inc.
The London-Laurel County Farmers Market Association, Inc. was approved for $1,000 in Laurel County funds and $16,500 in State funds as part of the 2008 Farmers’ Market Awards Program.
$5,000 Medley Farms, LLC
Medley Farms, LLC was approved for $5,000 in Washington County funds implement a Swine Diversification practice on the farm.
$375,000 Rebekah Grace Food and Supplements for Life, LLC
Rebekah Grace Food and Supplements for Life, LLC was approved for $375,000 in State funds to support the continued development of a local brand of natural and organic foods produced by diversified farmers in Kentucky in addition to warehousing, distribution and retail selling.
Menu Approach Programs
$137,614 Anderson County Farm Bureau, Inc.
The Anderson County Farm Bureau, Inc. was approved for $137,614 in Anderson County funds to administer a Menu Approach Program with thirteen model programs including: Agricultural Diversification; Cattle Genetics Improvement; Cattle Handling Facilities; Commercial Poultry Diversification; Dairy Diversification; Farm Livestock Fencing Improvement; Forage Improvement & Utilization; Goat & Sheep Diversification; Hay, Straw & Commodity Storage; On-Farm Water Enhancement; Swine Diversification; Technology; and Timber Production, Utilization & Marketing.
$275,922 Buffalo Trace Area Development District
Buffalo Trace Area Development District was approved for $275,922 in Mason County funds to administer a Menu Approach Program with eight model programs including:
Agricultural Diversification; Cattle Genetics Improvement; Cattle Handling Facilities; Dairy Diversification; Farm Livestock Fencing Improvement; Forage Improvement & Utilization; Hay, Straw & Commodity Storage; and On-Farm Water Enhancement.
$30,000 Gallatin County Agricultural Diversification Association
Gallatin County Agricultural Diversification Association, Incorporated was approved for $30,000 in Gallatin County funds to administer a Menu Approach Program with four model programs including: Agricultural Diversification; Goat & Sheep Diversification; Technology; and Timber Production, Utilization & Marketing.
$73,000 Gallatin County Livestock Association Incorporated
The Gallatin County Livestock Association Incorporated was approved for $73,000 in Gallatin County funds to administer a Menu Approach Program with six model programs including: Cattle Genetics Improvement; Cattle Handling Facilities; Farm Livestock Fencing Improvement; Forage Improvement & Utilization; Hay, Straw & Commodity Storage; and Technology.
$171,942 Green River Area Beef Improvement Group, Inc.
The Green River Area Beef Improvement Group, Inc. was approved for $171,942 in Daviess County funds to administer a Menu Approach Program with thirteen model programs including: Agricultural Diversification; Cattle Genetics Improvement; Cattle Handling Facilities; Commercial Poultry Diversification; Dairy Diversification; Farm Livestock Fencing Improvement; Forage Improvement & Utilization; Goat & Sheep Diversification; Hay, Straw & Commodity Storage; On-Farm Water Enhancement; Swine Diversification; Technology; and Timber Production, Utilization & Marketing.
$52,527 Green River Area Beef Improvement Group, Inc.
The Green River Area Beef Improvement Group, Inc. was approved for $52,527 in McLean County funds to administer a Menu Approach Program with six model programs including: Cattle Genetics Improvement; Cattle Handling Facilities; Commercial Poultry Diversification; Forage Improvement & Utilization; Hay, Straw & Commodity Storage; and On-Farm Water Enhancement.
$13,923 Green River Area Beef Improvement Group, Inc.
The Green River Area Beef Improvement Group, Inc. was approved for $13,923 in Webster County funds to administer a Menu Approach Program with two model programs including Hay, Straw & Commodity Storage and Technology.
$82,550 Hancock County Conservation District
The Hancock County Conservation District was approved for $82,550 in Hancock County funds to administer a Menu Approach Program for eight model programs including: Cattle Handling Facilities; Farm Livestock Fencing Improvement; Forage Improvement & Utilization; Goat & Sheep Diversification; Hay, Straw & Commodity Storage; On-Farm Water Enhancement; Technology; and Timber Production, Utilization & Marketing.
$292,530 Henry County Cattlemen’s Association
The Henry County Cattlemen’s Association was approved for $292,530 in Henry County funds to administer a Menu Approach Program for ten model programs including: Agricultural Diversification; Cattle Genetics Improvement; Cattle Handling Facilities; Dairy Diversification; Farm Livestock Fencing Improvement; Forage Improvement & Utilization; Goat & Sheep Diversification; Hay, Straw & Commodity Storage; Technology; and Timber Production, Utilization & Marketing.
$150,000 Marion County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc.
The Marion County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc. was approved for $150,000 in Marion County funds to administer a Menu Approach Program with five model programs including: Cattle Genetics Improvement; Cattle Handling Facilities; Farm Livestock Fencing Improvement; Forage Improvement & Utilization; and Hay, Straw & Commodity Storage.
$190,198 Morgan County Fiscal Court
The Morgan County Fiscal Court was approved for $190,198 in Morgan County funds to administer a Menu Approach Program for three model programs including: Agricultural Diversification; Cattle Handling Facilities; and Hay, Straw & Commodity Storage.
$46,256 Oldham County Farm Bureau
Oldham County Farm Bureau was approved for $46,256 in Oldham County funds to administer a Menu Approach Program with ten model programs including: Agricultural Diversification; Cattle Genetics Improvement; Cattle Handling Facilities; Dairy Diversification; Farm Livestock Fencing Improvement; Forage Improvement & Utilization; Goat & Sheep Diversification; Hay, Straw & Commodity Storage; Technology; and Timber Production, Utilization & Marketing.
$300,000 Shelby County Farm Bureau, Inc.
The Shelby County Farm Bureau, Inc. was approved for $300,000 in Shelby County funds to administer a Menu Approach Program with four model programs including: Farm Livestock Fencing Improvement; Hay, Straw & Commodity Storage; On-Farm Water Enhancement; and Technology.
$100,000 Trigg County Conservation District
The Trigg County Conservation District was approved for $100,000 in Trigg County funds to administer a Menu Approach Program with six model programs including: Cattle Handling Facilities; Farm Livestock Fencing Improvement; Forage Improvement & Utilization; Goat & Sheep Diversification; Hay, Straw & Commodity Storage; and On-Farm Water Enhancement.
$189,265 Trimble County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc.
The Trimble County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc. was approved for $182,265 in Trimble County funds to administer a Menu Approach Program with ten model programs including: Agricultural Diversification; Cattle Genetics Improvement; Cattle Handling Facilities; Dairy Diversification; Farm Livestock Fencing Improvement; Forage Improvement & Utilization; Goat & Sheep Diversification; Hay, Straw & Commodity Storage; Technology; and Timber Production, Utilization & Marketing.
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 programs approved by the Board totaled $15,000 and included:
$15,000 Marion County
The Cattle Genetics 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 programs approved by the Board totaled $94,056 and included:
$10,000 Hancock County
$10,000 Lewis County
$43,616 Madison County
$ 9,440 Meade County
$21,000 Owsley 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 $162,578 and included:
$15,750 Breathitt County
$24,688 Madison County
$ 9,440 Meade County
$20,000 Metcalfe County
$92,700 Taylor 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 $40,000 and included:
$40,000 Metcalfe 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 $151,330 and included:
$15,750 Breathitt County
$76,140 Madison County
$ 9,440 Meade County
$50,000 Metcalfe 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 $483,810 and included:
$ 15,750 Breathitt County
$ 64,569 Franklin County
$ 48,300 LaRue County
$ 95,751 Madison County
$ 9,440 Meade County
$ 75,000 Metcalfe County
$100,000 Robertson County
$ 75,000 Spencer County
The Goat & Sheep Diversification Program works to assist producers as they venture into goat and sheep production. County Goa & Sheep Diversification Programs approved by the Board totaled $24,480 and included:
$15,000 Marion County
$ 4,480 Meade County
$ 5,000 Menifee 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 & Commodity Storage programs approved by the Board totaled $260,868 and included:
$ 15,750 Breathitt County
$ 80,238 Madison County
$ 10,880 Meade County
$ 50,000 Metcalfe County
$104,000 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 programs approved by the Board totaled $60,000 and included:
$10,000 Metcalfe County
$50,000 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 programs approved by the Board totaled $9,500 and included:
$9,500 Metcalfe 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 $154,000 and included:
$24,000 Hopkins County
$25,872 McLean County
$10,880 Meade 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 $30,000 and included:
$30,000 Lewis County
Governor Beshear 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 $262 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 3,241 projects that have been funded through the Kentucky 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.
