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Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
$10,334,150 Invested in Kentucky Agricultural Diversification
Bowling Green, Ky. -The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Steve Beshear, approved $10,334,150 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly board meeting on Friday, November 21 in Bowling Green, Ky.
State and County Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the November meeting include:
$5,000,000 Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation
The Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation was approved for $5,000,000 in state funds for the continuation of agricultural loan programs that benefit Kentucky farmers.
$3,330,000 Kentucky Department of Agriculture
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture was approved for $3,330,000 in state funds to continue the promotion of the Kentucky Proud Program.
$1,000,000 University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky was approved for $1,000,000 in state funds to establish an endowment for the Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program.
Menu Approach Programs
$380,200 Nicholas County Fiscal Court
The Nicholas County Fiscal Court was approved for $380,200 in Nicholas 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.
$50,000 Powell County Livestock Producers Association, Inc.
The Powell County Livestock Producers Association, Inc. was approved for $50,000 in Powell County funds to administer a Menu Approach Program with two model programs including Cattle Genetics Improvement and Cattle Handling Facilities.
$117,000 Wolfe County Conservation District
The Wolfe County Conservation District was approved for $117,000 in Wolfe County funds to administer a Menu Approach Program with three Model Programs including: Agricultural Diversification, Cattle Handling Facilities, and Hay, Straw & Commodity Storage.
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 $61,750 and included:
$6,000 Rowan County
$40,000 Fayette County
$15,750 Grant 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 $15,750 and included:
$15,750 Grant 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 $15,750 and included:
$15,750 Grant 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 $62,500 and included:
$10,000 Rowan County
$52,500 Fayette 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 $60,750 and included:
$45,000 Fayette County
$15,750 Grant County
The Goat & Sheep Diversification Program works to assist producers as they venture into goat and sheep production. County Goat & Sheep Diversification Programs approved by the Board totaled $15,750 and included:
$15,750 Grant 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 $140,000 and included:
$35,000 Whitley County
$52,500 Grant County
$52,500 Greenup 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 $84 and included:
$70,000 Fayette County
$14,700 Whitley 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 $279 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 3,390 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.
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