Marketing GRANTS & FUNDING Opportunities

Below (Additional Links) and in the collapsible Grants & Funding menu to the right are state funding opportunities offered by or in partnership with KDA. You must be a Kentucky Proud member in order to apply. If you are a member, please see which cost share program you can apply for; there may be more than one. Not a member yet? Click HERE for more information!

For more information on all the grants the Kentucky Department of Agriculture has to offer, click here.

DIRECT FARM MARKETING DIVISION

Farm to Fork - This Kentucky Proud program partners with local organizations to increase awareness of Kentucky Proud foods and benefit a charity in their community.

EDUCATION & OUTREACH DIVISION

Raising Hope - This new program focuses on improving the mental and physical health of agricultural producers. It is a partnership of KDA, state universities, and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. The campaign is supported by appropriations from the General Assembly.

KENTUCKY PROUD DIVISION

Buy Local - Kentucky Proud restaurants, foodservice institutions, schools, and hospitals may be eligible to receive reimbursement incentives for the purchase of source-verified food grown or raised in Kentucky. Kentucky Proud distributors who enroll in the program and help these participants access more local ingredients can also receive benefits.

Kentucky Proud Promotional Grant - Kentucky Proud members who have direct Kentucky farm impact may be eligible to receive up to 50 percent reimbursement for eligible advertising and marketing expenses.

PLANT DIVISION

Farmer Appreciation Grant - KDA was recently awarded a Farm and Ranch Staff Assistance Network (FRSAN) Grant from USDA. Part of the grant is to award projects that support community-based farmer appreciation programs that will promote the many contributions of farmers and their families, and to appreciate the various challenges farmers face working in agriculture.

Organic Cost Share - KDA is accredited by the USDA’s National Organic Program as a certifying agent for crops, wild crops, livestock, and handling operations. KDA currently certifies only entities located in Kentucky.

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) - This program provides USDA grants to states to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. SCBGP was authorized on Dec. 21, 2004, by Section 101 of the federal Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004.

SHOWS AND FAIRS DIVISION

County Fair Grant - The Kentucky State Aid to Local Agricultural Fairs Program came into being in 1962, created by an act of the state General Assembly. The program is designed to promote local agricultural fairs through grants of state funds. The Kentucky commissioner of agriculture is in charge of the program, which is administered by KDA’s Division of Shows and Fairs.