Covington, Ky. -The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, approved $1,445,150 in agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during their monthly board meeting on October 19, 2007 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, Ky.
State and County Agricultural Development Fund projects approved for funding at the October meeting include:
$1,003,000 Specialty Foods Group, Inc.
Specialty Food Group, Inc. was approved for 1,000,000 in state funds, $1,000 in Jefferson County, $1,000 in McLean County funds and $1,000 Casey County funds to expand their Owensboro facility.
$25,000 Daviess County Conservation District
Daviess County Conservation District was approved for $25,000 in Daviess County funds to administer a cost-share program for youth in Daviess County.
$75,350 Adair County Board of Education
Adair County Board of Education was approved for $75,350 in Adair County funds to develop a five acre livestock facility including a barn and livestock handling equipment.
$33,000 Jackson Purchase Resource Conservation and Development Foundation
The Jackson Purchase Resource Conservation and Development Foundation was approved for $16,500 in state funds and $16,500 in Calloway County funds as part of the 2007 Farmers’ Market Competitive Awards Program to construct a farmers’ market facility.
$25,000 Let’s Beautify La Center
The Let’s Beautify La Center was approved for $12,500 in Ballard County funds and $12,500 in state funds as part of the 2007 Farmers’ Market Competitive Awards Program to construct a farmers’ market facility.
$57,000 Bourbon County Fiscal Court
Bourbon County Fiscal Court was approved for $38,000 in state funds, $15,000 in Bourbon County funds, $1,500 in Clark County funds, and $2,500 in Fayette County funds as part of the 2007 Farmers’ Market Competitive Awards Program to renovate a permanent regional marketing facility.
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 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 $7,500 and included:
$7,500 Robertson County
The Dairy Diversification Program assists existing and new dairy producers throughout the Commonwealth in renovating and modernizing dairy facilities. County Dairy Diversification Programs approved by the Board totaled $50,800 and included:
$50,800 Taylor 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 $21,000 and included:
$21,000 Kenton County
The Goat and Sheep Diversification Program works to assist producers as they venture into goat and sheep production. County Goat and Sheep Diversification Programs approved by the Board totaled $10,000 and included:
$10,000 Breckinridge 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 $12,500 and included:
$12,500 Hopkins County
The Technology program allows producers to 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 $125,000 and included:
$125,000 Ballard County
Governor Fletcher 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 $253 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 3,049 projects that have been funded through 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.