Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
Agricultural Finance Loans Approved

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 5, 2010) -The Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation (KAFC), chaired by Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer, today approved $556,582 for agricultural loans during their regular monthly business meeting.
    
The Agricultural Processing Loan Program is designed to provide loan opportunities to companies and individuals in Kentucky interested in agricultural processing.  KAFC will provide and/or participate in loans in Kentucky that add value to Kentucky grown agricultural commodities through further processing.  These loans may cover construction of a new facility and renovation/expansion of an existing facility.  One processing loan was approved for $226,582 in Garrard County.

The Beginning Farmer Loan Program is designed to assist individuals with some farming experience who desire to develop, expand or buy into a farming operation.  Beginning farmers may qualify for financing to purchase livestock, equipment or agriculture facilities; to secure permanent working capital; and to make a down payment on real estate or invest in a partnership or LLC.  One Beginning Farmer loan was approved for $250,000 in Fulton County.

The Large/Food Animal Veterinary Loan Program is designed to assist individuals licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Kentucky who desire to construct, expand, equip or buy into a practice serving large animal producers, as well as other smaller food animals.  KAFC participates with a local lender to provide financing (up to $100,000).  The board approved one veterinary loan for $80,000 in Estill County.

For more information on the programs offered by the KAFC, contact Bill McCloskey, director of financial services, at (502) 564-4627 or visit the KAFC Webpage at kafc.ky.gov.

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Gov. Steve Beshear and the Kentucky Legislature continue their commitment to the agricultural diversification efforts being made across the Commonwealth.

In 2002, the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, as part of the Long-term Plan for Agricultural Development, recommended that the KAFC originally established in 1984, be restructured to provide capital access for agricultural diversification and infrastructure projects. KAFC was moved to the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture in 2004.  To date, KAFC has approved 353 projects and committed more than $42.9 million.