Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
Agricultural Development Funds Awarded

CORBIN, Ky. (Nov. 19, 2010) - The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board (KADB), chaired by Gov. Steve Beshear, today approved $9,067,145 in 17 agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their November board meeting at Cumberland Falls State Park.

“I have always said agriculture is not only important to Kentucky’s heritage, but it is also an important part of our economy,” said Gov. Beshear.  “These investments represent an investment in the continuation and advancement of agriculture, as farmers adapt to a changing marketplace.”

State and regional projects approved included:

$1,916,529   Cattle Marketing & Education Initiatives
The Kentucky Beef Network LLC (KBN) was approved for $1,916,529 in state funds over two years to continue their marketing and education initiatives for Kentucky’s beef cattle producers.  KBN will continue current value-added marketing and education programs, such as CPH-45, Master Cattlemen, Beef One and others.  They may also explore new education opportunities for backgrounders and in leadership development.

$1,641,095   Dairy Development
The Kentucky Dairy Development Council Inc. was approved for $1,641,095 in state funds over two years to continue providing Kentucky producers financial incentives to improve milk quality and increase quantity of milk produced on Kentucky farms, while increasing net farm income.

$125,667     Grain Production Research
The University of Kentucky Research Foundation, on behalf of the UK Princeton Research and Education Center, was approved for $84,276 in state and $41,391 in county funds for a high clearance sprayer and greenhouse for grain crop production research.

$1,440,000  Horticulture Research, Development & Marketing
The Kentucky Horticulture Council was approved for $1,440,000 in state funds over two years to support the expansion and profitability of Kentucky horticultural crop producers through basic and applied research, on-farm demonstration projects and sustainable market access.

$2,830,500  Kentucky Proud
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture was approved for $2,830,500 in state funds over two years to continue the activities of the Kentucky Proud program, the state’s official farm marketing program.  Funds will be used to continue promotion of the program and other activities designed to instill in consumers’ minds the value of “buy local” when shopping for food and fiber products.

County investments approved included:
The County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) is designed to provide farmers with incentives to allow them to improve and diversify their current production practices.  CAIP covers a wide variety of agricultural enterprises in its 11 investment areas.  CAIPs approved by the board totaled $1,067,414 and included the following six counties:  Barren, LaRue, Lee, Pulaski, Russell and Whitley.

The Deceased Farm Animal Disposal Assistance Program serves as an interim measure to facilitate the coordination of environmentally sound and cost-effective disposal of deceased livestock for Kentucky producers. County Deceased Farm Animal Disposal Assistance Programs approved by the board totaled $32,500 and included the following five counties: Allen, Christian, Garrard, Pulaski and Woodford.

The Shared-use Equipment Program is designed to impact a high number of producers who cannot justify ownership expenses associated with certain equipment by helping them access technology necessary to improve their operations in an economical manner.  Shared-use Equipment Programs approved by the board totaled $13,440 for Menifee County.

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Gov. Steve 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 $344.5 million to an array of county, regional and state projects designed to increase net farm income and create sustainable new farm-based business enterprises. These funding approvals represent just a few of  more than 3,739 projects that have been funded through the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund, since the inception of the program in January 2001.