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Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
$1,279,254 Invested in Kentucky Agricultural Diversification
Frankfort, Ky. -The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Steve Beshear, approved $1,279,254 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly board meeting on Friday, March 14 at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Ky.
State and County Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the March meeting include:
$4,000 Franklin-Simpson Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
The Franklin-Simpson Chamber of Commerce, Inc. was approved for $4,000 in Simpson County funds to be used for the Kentucky Breeders’ Incentive Fund Horse Conference.
$28,000 South Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation
The South Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative was approved for $28,000 in state funds to commission a study for the feasibility of a beef processing facility that would be located in Kentucky.
$410,000 The Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development, Inc.
The Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development, Inc. was approved for $410,000 in state funds to continue to provide business support services and technical assistance to rural agribusinesses across Kentucky.
$87,000 Waterworks Farm, Inc.
Waterworks Farms, Inc. was approved for $82,000 in state funds and $5,000 in Shelby County funds for equipment that will be used to expand an egg production business.
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 $62,500 and included:
$12,500 Hopkins County
$50,000 Lewis 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 Program approved by the Board totaled $124,000 and included:
$42,000 Bourbon County
$52,000 Bullitt County
$30,000 LaRue 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 $84,600 and included:
$32,100 Bourbon County
$52,500 Owsley 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 $52,500 and included:
$52,500 Owsley 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 $211,444 and included:
$58,000 Ballard County
$9,444 Franklin County
$40,000 Lewis County
$104,000 Owsley 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 $22,300 and included:
$6,300 Bourbon County
$6,000 Jessamine County
$10,000 Lewis 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 $30,000 and included:
$30,000 Knox 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 $8,910 and included:
$8,910 Morgan 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:
$50,000 Simpson County
$104,000 Washington 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 $257 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 3,157 projects that have been funded through the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund, since the inception of the program in January 2001.
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