Funded projects focus on agricultural diversification, rural development

FRANKFORT (Dec. 16, 2022) - The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $4,583,727 for agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the commonwealth at its monthly board meeting.

“Grants through the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board provide Kentucky agriculture producers a pathway to diversification," said Commissioner of Agriculture and board chair Dr. Ryan Quarles. “The awarded projects represent a wide variety of agriculture practices helping the state and its farmers reach different opportunities for the advancement of all.”

State and County Funded Projects

• Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom, Inc. was approved $151,250 in state funds for educational materials and program services over a two-year period. For more information, contactJennifer Elwell at jennifer@teachkyag.org.
• Kentucky Beef Network, LLC was approved $2,057,237 in state funds to provide production and marketing programs for cattle producers that will focus on profitability and farm business management. For more information, contact Becky Thompson at bthompson@kycattle.org.
• Kentucky Dairy Development Council, Inc. was approved $1,891,560 in state funds to continue educating, representing, and promoting Kentucky’s dairy producers and industry. For more information, contactH.H. Barlow III at kddc@kydairy.org.
• Lincoln County Board of Education was approved $13,112 in Lincoln County funds to expand the greenhouse at Lincoln County High School. For more information, contactHarvey Franklin at harvey.franklin@lincoln.kyschools.us.
• J.R. Farms was approved $10,000 in state funds as a Small-Scale Grant to invest in water harvesting equipment for beef cattle. For more information, contactJoshua Rose at j.rfarms1@yahoo.com.

County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP)
CAIP provides Kentucky agricultural producers with cost-share assistance on practices to allow them to improve and diversify their current farm operations. CAIP covers a wide variety of agricultural enterprises in its 11 investment areas, including, but not limited to, bees and honey; equine; forage; beef and dairy cattle; goats and sheep; horticulture; poultry; swine; timber and technology, as well as energy efficiency and production; farm infrastructure and water enhancement; marketing; and value-added production.

Two CAIPs were approved by the board totaling $391,280:
• Boone ($124,415)
• Todd ($266,865)

Deceased Farm Animal Removal (DAR)
The Deceased Farm Animal Removal Program serves as a measure to facilitate the coordination of environmentally-sound and cost-effective disposal of deceased livestock for Kentucky producers.

Three DAR programs were approved by the board totaling $25,000:

• Garrard ($2,500)
• Hardin ($12,500)
• Madison ($10,000)

Shared-Use Equipment Program
The Shared-Use Equipment Program assists broad-based community organizations with the purchase of farm equipment. The equipment purchased is made available for producer use in a specific county on a leased basis.

Two Shared-Use Equipment programs were approved by the board totaling $ 39,300:
• Madison ($18,638 and $25,650)

All application periods and deadlines for CAIP will be advertised locally.

The Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy (KOAP), a division within the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, provides staff support to the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation (KAFC) and the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund (KADF). The KADF is administered by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board. KOAP ensures Kentucky is being good stewards of dollars from the 1998 Tobacco Settlement Agreement by overseeing the boards’ investments into diversifying and supporting Kentucky agriculture.