Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Kentucky Proud Grants

 

1.  What is Kentucky Proud?

Kentucky Proud is Kentucky's official farm marketing program.  Administered by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, and funded in part by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund, Kentucky Proud is designed to improve Kentucky's economy by increasing the value of Kentucky grown and raised farm products.  Membership is free and is open to any Kentucky farm or other business which grows, raises or manufactures food and agricultural products in Kentucky.

2. Who is eligible for a Kentucky Proud grant?

While membership in Kentucky Proud is open to all Kentucky businesses that meet the criteria stated above, Kentucky Proud grants are generally limited to businesses which are selling Kentucky grown or raised products, which have a direct impact on Kentucky farm income.  As such we generally do not provide grant assistance to businesses whose products do not have any farm impact at all.  For example, if you blend tea in Kentucky, your product can carry the Kentucky Proud label.  However, since we do not grow tea in Kentucky, you are probably not eligible for a Kentucky Proud grant.  Grantees must be members of Kentucky Proud and comply with all health, food safety and other Federal, state and local laws.  All Kentucky Proud grants are cost-share programs, in that we will pay up to 50% of pre-approved expenditures for promotional and marketing purposes. We will not match payments from other Kentucky state government sources.

3.  What is Restaurant Rewards?

Restaurant Rewards is a program that provides assistance to Kentucky restaurants and other food service operations which buy Kentucky grown or raised food and farm products for resale. Restaurant Rewards will provide up to $12,000 in annual assistance to these businesses to help offset the sometimes higher cost of buying locally.  Restaurants are eligible for both Restaurant Rewards and Kentucky Proud grants.  If you are interested in Restaurant Rewards, you should contact Angela Caporelli at angela.caporelli@ky.gov. 

4.  How do the grants work and what do they cover?

Your grant application should give as much detail as you think helpful about what you would like to do to market and promote your product and Kentucky Proud. The plan and grant can extend through June 30, 2012. Grants cover advertising, point-of-purchase materials, and other promotional expenses. In general, any marketing plan or project idea that prominently features the Kentucky Proud logo is probably an eligible expense, even something as simple as a road sign in front of your farm. For example, these grants can help with signs, banners, advertising, websites, food demo expenses, UPC codes, use of the logo on a prominent store or business sign, and product brochures, among other things. If approved, the grant will cover up to 50 percent of eligible expenses, paid as a reimbursement as outlined in a contract between you and the state. You will receive 25 percent of the maximum benefit of this grant if the Kentucky Proud logo is not prominent on the material, is on the back or side of the product, or is less than half the size of your company logo.

5.  How long does it take to get a grant?

If your application is for $5,000 or less, it can be approved immediately by our staff. If it’s for more than $5,000, a committee of six KDA staff members will vote on it. They usually meet the first week of each month. In order to make sure you’re included on the committee agenda, you need to return the application form no later than the last day of the month before the meeting. If your application is approved, you will receive a contract in the mail within about two weeks. You must sign the contract and return it. Final authorization usually comes within four to eight weeks after you return the signed documents. Once final authorization is given, checks can be issued when you provide documentation of eligible expenses as outlined in your contract. If you have any questions or need any help, please call (502) 564-4983.

6.  How do I get paid after my grant is approved?

KDA REIMBURSES you for authorized expenses outlined in your application. You must show proof that you met the conditions of your contract. Here’s an example: You propose future spending of $2,000 for banners and advertising, and you are awarded a grant to match up to $1,000 of these expenses. You would mail a picture or copy of the banners and ads showing that Kentucky Proud was prominently featured and invoices showing the actual costs to us at this address: Kentucky Department of Agriculture, 100 Fair Oaks Lane, 5th Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601. There are additional guidelines for advertising plans larger than $1,000 below. (See 2011-12 Kentucky Proud Co-operative Advertising Guidelines.)

7.  Do I really need a notary to witness my signature on the affidavit?

Yes. In many cases, your bank will assist you for free. We are required by state law to certify that you are not delinquent on your taxes or in violation of campaign finance law before we can enter into a contract with you.  If you don't get the affidavit notarized, you cannot get a grant.

8.  Why does the state need my company’s taxpayer ID or my individual Social Security number?

This is how the state keeps track of who it owes money to. If you don’t include the Taxpayer ID or Social Security number, you can’t get a grant. Nobody outside KDA’s grant and accounting staff will see it (or any other details of your application.)

9.  Are there other grant programs administered by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture that are available for product marketing? 

Yes. For a complete list, please click here.

10.  I'm interested in a grant, but need some assistance from staff. 

KDA's Marketing Specialists are able to answer many of your questions, and can walk you through the grant process.  Here are email addresses for those whose work most often results in Kentucky Proud grants:

Product area	Specialist	email address
Aquaculture (seafood)	Angela Caporelli	angela.caporelli@ky.gov
Beef and beef cattle	Tim Dietrich	tim.dietrich@ky.gov
Dairy products	Eunice Schlappi	eunice.schlappi@ky.gov
Equine	Ben Shaffar	ben.shaffar@ky.gov
Sheep/Goats	Tess Caudill	tess.caudill@ky.gov
All other animal or livestock marketing	Warren Beeler	warren.beeler@ky.gov
Fruit, vegetables	Adam Watson	adam.watson@ky.gov
Nursery and other horticulture	Adam Watson	adam.watson@ky.gov
Jarred or canned shelf stable products	Alisha Morris	alisha.morris@ky.gov
Farmers Markets or other direct farm sales	Sharon Spencer	sharon.spencer@ky.gov
Restaurants or other food service	Angela Caporelli	angela.caporelli@ky.gov
Retailers (supermarkets and convenience stores)	Roger Snell	roger.snell@ky.gov
Retailers (gif shops)	Alisha Morris	alisha.morrris@ky.gov
Wine

If you don't see your business addressed above, call (502) 564-4983. 

Kentucky Proud Grant Application (Word Document)

Kentucky Proud Cooperative Advertising Guidelines

Kentucky Proud Cooperative Advertising Claim Form (Word Document)

 Last updated:  01/12/2012