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Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
$1,331,148 Invested in Kentucky Agricultural Diversification
LEXINGTON, Ky. -The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Steve Beshear, approved $1,331,148 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly board meeting on Friday, January 16 at the Lexington Center in Lexington, Ky.
State and County Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the January meeting include:
$14,080 Bath County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc.
The Bath County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc. was approved for $14,080 in Bath County funds to administer an educational welding program for tobacco dependent farmers.
$50,000 Gateway Regional Agri-tourism Association
The Gateway Regional Agri-tourism Association was approved for $50,000 in state funds as part of the Agri-tourism Awards Program.
$494,000 Kentucky Dairy Development Council
The Kentucky Dairy Development Council was approved for $494,000 in state funds to further the efforts and continue supporting Kentucky’s dairy industry.
$53,098 Meade County Extension District Board
The Meade County Extension District Board was approved for $17,003 in Meade County funds and $36,095 in state funds to construct a permanent shelter for the Meade County Farmers’ Market.
$9,720 Washington County Conservation District
The Washington County Conservation District was approved for $9,720 in Washington County funds to purchase a shared-use straw blower for producers in Washington County.
Menu Approach Programs
$200,000 Montgomery County Conservation District
The Montgomery County Conservation District was approved for $200,000 in Montgomery County funds to administer a Menu Approach Program with three model programs including: Farm Livestock Fencing Improvement, Forage Resource Improvement, and On-Farm Water Enhancement.
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 $37,000 and included:
$7,000 Powell County
$20,000 Lewis County
$10,000 Harrison 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 $55,000 and included:
$10,000 Lewis County
$45,000 Bath 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 $45,000 and included:
$15,000 Lewis County
$30,000 Harrison County
The Dairy Diversification Program assists new and existing dairy producers throughout the Commonwealth in renovating and modernizing dairy facilities. County Dairy Diversification programs approved by the Board totaled $15,000 and included:
$15,000 Lewis 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 $40,000 and included:
$15,000 Lewis County
$25,000 Harrison 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 $288,250 and included:
$57,000 Cumberland County
$50,000 Breckinridge County
$50,000 Harrison County
$131,250 Bath 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 $13,000 and included:
$3,000 Montgomery County
$5,000 Harrison County
$5,000 Bath 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 $15,000 and included:
$15,000 Lewis County
The Swine Diversification Program allows new and existing swine producers to establish or renovate pork facilities. County Swine Diversification Programs approved by the Board totaled $2,000 and included:
$2,000 Boyle County
Governor Beshear and the General Assembly 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 $280 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 3,404 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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