Funded projects focus on agricultural diversification, rural development

FRANKFORT (Nov. 17, 2023) - The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $2,349,581 for agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the commonwealth at its monthly board meeting.

“The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board’s focus is finding projects that inject diversity into Kentucky’s agriculture,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and board chair Dr. Ryan Quarles. “The projects funded today reflect the variety of ways that diversification shows itself in our communities.”

County and State Funded Projects

• David Andrew Langley was approved up to $250,000 in matching state and county funds, with the option to pursue the remaining balance in the form of a participation loan, to support the construction of a 150,000-bushel grain bin as storage for local farmers to use to fill their distillery contracts. For more information, contact David Andrew Langley at drewlangley1272@gmail.com.
• Wilderness Trail Area Beef Marketing Alliance was approved up to $344,653 in matching state and county funds to expand their existing livestock facility. For more information, contact Deverle Humfleet at laurel.ext@uky.edu.

State Programs

Large and Food Animal Veterinary Incentives Program
The Large and Food Animal Veterinary Incentives Program provides funding for Kentucky veterinarians to increase service to large and food animals in the state. Applicants may receive up to 75 percent reimbursement for eligible expenditures not to exceed more than $100,000 in state and county funds as a lifetime limit.

Two Large and Food Animal Veterinary Incentives Programs were approved by the board in the following counties totaling $199,000:

• Todd ($100,000)
• Warren ($99,000)

County Programs

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, beef and dairy cattle; farm infrastructure, fencing, and water enhancement; equine; forage; goats and sheep; horticulture; poultry; swine; bees and honey; timber and technology, as well as energy efficiency and production; marketing; and value-added production.

Seven CAIPs were approved by the board in the following counties totaling $1,404,928:

• Fleming ($224,959)
• Magoffin ($109,000)
• Mason ($255,000)
• Nicholas ($38,469)*
• Owsley ($235,000)
• Robertson ($278,500)
• Woodford ($264,000)

Deceased Farm Animal Removal (DAR)

The DAR program serves as a measure to facilitate the coordination of environmentally-sound and cost-effective disposal of deceased livestock for Kentucky producers.

One DAR program was approved by the board in Scott County totaling $15,000.

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.

Two NextGen programs were approved by the board in the following counties totaling $76,000:

• Fleming ($40,000)
• Woodford ($36,000)

Youth Agricultural Incentives Program (YAIP)

YAIP encourages youth to engage in and explore agricultural opportunities.

Two YAIPs were approved by the board in the following counties totaling $60,000:

• Fleming ($25,000)
• Mason ($35,000)

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