Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
$3,147,895 Invested in Kentucky Agricultural Diversification
The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $3,147,895 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly board meeting on March 17, 2006 at Alltech, Inc. in Nicholasville, Kentucky.
State and County Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the March meeting include:
$15,000 Bed and Breakfast Association of Kentucky Inc.
Bed and Breakfast Association of Kentucky Inc. was approved for $15,000 in state funds as part of the 2006 Agri-tourism Competitive Awards Program to develop a Kentucky Farm Stays Program that provides overnight lodging as part of an agriculture experience.
$10,000 Central Kentucky Agri-tourism Association, Inc.
Central Kentucky Agri-tourism Association, Inc. was approved for $10,000 in state funds as part of the 2006 Agri-tourism Competitive Awards Program to market and promote Agri-tourism activities in Central Kentucky.
$50,000 Elk Creek Vineyards, LLC
Elk Creek Vineyards, LLC was approved for $50,000 in state funds as part of the 2006 Agri-tourism Competitive Awards Program for the construction of a winery facility to produce Kentucky made wine, from Kentucky grown fruit.
$2,000,000 Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation
The Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation was approved for $2,000,000 in state funds to develop a Beginning Farmer Loan Program that complements the existing lending opportunities available through the Farm Service Agency, commercial banks, and lenders within Farm Credit Services.
$50,000 Lan Mark Farm
Lan Mark Farm was approved for $50,000 in state funds as part of the 2006 Agri-tourism Competitive Awards Program to construct an on-farm retail facility that concentrates on selling Kentucky fiber art and farm grown products.
$50,000 Maple Hill Manor Enterprises, Inc.
Maple Hill Manor Enterprises, Inc. was approved for $50,000 in state funds as part of the 2006 Agri-tourism Competitive Awards Program to construct an Agri-tourism Fiber Education and Marketing Center.
$100,000 Scott County Beef Improvement Association, Inc.
Scott County Beef Improvement Association, Inc. was approved for $100,000 in Scott County funds to administer a cost-share program, which will assist tenant farmers with agricultural equipment purchases.
$50,000 Tommy Bennett Orchard, LLC
Tommy Bennett Orchard, LLC was approved for $50,000 in state funds as part of the 2006 Agri-tourism Competitive Awards Program to construct a market and processing building which, includes a commercial kitchen.
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 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 $39,145 and included:
$25,145 Bourbon County
$14,000 Harrison 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 Programs approved by the Board totaled $160,250 and included:
$50,000 Breckinridge County
$50,000 Clark County
$34,000 Harrison County
$26,250 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 $86,000 and included:
$46,000 Bourbon County
$40,000 Harrison 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 $78,750 and included:
$78,750 Owsley County
The Forage Improvement 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 $208,349 and included:
$50,000 Christian County
$59,000 Clark County
$19,000 Harrison County
$52,500 Owsley County
$27,849 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 $5,000 and included:
$5,000 Harrison 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 $215,000 and included:
$100,000 Christian County
$10,000 Grayson County
$105,000 Owsley 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 $30,401 and included:
$4,255 Ohio County
$6,250 Russell County
$9,685 Russell County
$10,211 Russell County
The Kentucky General Assembly continues to make great strides towards lessening Kentucky’s dependence on tobacco production while revitalizing the farm economy by investing 50% of Kentucky's Master Settlement Agreement into the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund. Of this 50% allocation, 65% of the Fund is set aside for regional and statewide agricultural projects, while 35% is earmarked for individual counties on the basis of their tobacco dependence. Since the inception of the program in January 2001, the Agricultural Development Board has approved over 2,353 proposals committing over $199 million to an array of county, regional, and state projects designed to increase net farm income and create sustainable new farm-based business enterprises.
****** Please contact the County Extension Office for more information regarding the model programs and when the sign up will take place in your county.**********