Projects include agricultural diversification, rural development

BOWLING GREEN (July 16, 2021) – The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $2,339,883 for agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the commonwealth at its monthly board meeting.

State and County Funded Projects

• -- Christian County Agricultural Extension Foundation, Inc. was approved for $15,000 in Christian County funds for a commercial kitchen to provide a space for startup businesses, non-profit groups, and education classes. For more information, contact James Stone at jstone@uky.edu or 270-886-6328.

• -- Hindman Settlement School was approved for $5,445 in Knott County funds to expand the Knott County Farmers' Market. For more information, contact Kelsey Cloonan at kelsey@hindman.org or 606-785-5457.

• -- J Anderson Farm in Pulaski County was approved for $12,335 in Pulaski County funds for a feasibility study to see the potential impact of a medium scale beef processing plant in southern Kentucky.For more information, contact John Anderson at jandersonfarms@hotmail.com or 606-423-0004.

• -- Lincoln County Fiscal Court was approved for $32,441 in Lincoln County funds for a 5500 diesel truck with hydraulic PTO bed for the county’s deceased animal removal service. For more information, contact Judge Jim Adams at jadams@lincolnky.com or 606-365-2534.

• -- RedLeaf Biologics, Inc. in Fayette County was approved for $485,020 in State funds as a 2.75 percent direct loan to help with the construction of a commercial pilot processing facility and to purchase a harvester for red sorghum. For more information, contact Robert Wood at jordan@redleafbiologics.com or 205-910-0641.

Meat Processing Investment Program (MPIP)

MPIP provides funding for meat processors who are currently or plan to become USDA certified to financially incentivize economical expansion of businesses to process Kentucky beef, dairy, pork, lamb, goat, and poultry products.

• -- David Fair (Fair Custom Meat Processing) in Grant County was approved for $2,494 in State funds as a MPIP Level 2 project to purchase a dual chamber vacuum. For more information, contact Dave Fair at faircustommeat@gmail.com or 859-824-4160.

• -- Dowdy's Custom Meat Processing LLC in Graves County was approved for $250,000 in State funds as a MPIP Level 3 project to renovate the current processing facilities to become USDA Certified and to purchase processing equipment. For more information, contact Jeffery Dowdy at dowdystaxidermy@gmail.com or 270-376-5270.

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.

Fourteen CAIPs were approved by the board totaling $1,445,148:

• -- Barren ($350,000)
• -- Caldwell ($29,888)*
• -- Clark ($25,000)*
• -- Cumberland ($165,294)
• -- Elliott ($180,785)
• -- Jefferson ($52,000)
• -- Kenton ($59,797)*
• -- Laurel ($160,157)
-- Magoffin ($106,000)
• -- McLean ($40,000)
• -- Meade ($13,620)*
• -- Nelson ($125,881)
• -- Taylor ($104,000)*
• -- Whitley ($32,726)

*Existing programs receiving additional funding.

Deceased Farm Animal Removal Program (DAR)

TheDeceased 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.

Two Deceased Farm Animal Removal programs were approved by the board totaling $22,000:

• -- Nelson ($7,500)
• -- Taylor ($14,500)

Next Generation Farmer Program (NextGen)

NextGen addresses the growing need for a specialized program that would benefit producers ages 18 to 40 that have been engaged in an agricultural operation for a minimum of three years.

One NextGen Program was approved by the board totaling $25,000:

• -- Nelson ($25,000)

Youth Agricultural Incentives Program (Youth)

The Youth program encourages youth to engage in and explore agricultural opportunities.

Two Youth programs were approved by the board totaling $45,000:

• -- Clark ($40,000)
• -- McLean ($5,000)

All application periods and deadlines for CAIP, NextGen and Youth and leasing information for Shared-Use programs will be advertised locally.