Kentucky Ag News
Ag Development Board awards grant to Kentucky Proud
Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy, Kentucky Agricultural News
FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board awarded a grant for $3.49 million to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for the Kentucky Proud farm marketing program for 2015 and 2016 in the board’s December meeting.
In all, the board awarded $10,355,386 for 48 agricultural diversification and rural development programs and projects in its December meeting, bringing total awards in 2014 to more than $43 million.
Kentucky Proud is the state’s official farm marketing program. The Kentucky Proud brand identifies products that are raised, produced, and/or processed in Kentucky. More than 3,800 farmers, processors, retailers, restaurants, school districts, colleges and universities, Kentucky state parks, and Kentucky Farm Bureau certified roadside markets are members of Kentucky Proud.
Other state and regional investments approved by the board in December included:
- $2,108,500 in state funds to the Kentucky Dairy Development Council for 2015 and 2016 to educate, represent, and promote Kentucky dairy producers and the dairy industry as a whole.
- $1,869,016 in state funds to the Kentucky Beef Network for 2015 and 2016 for programs to enhance the incomes of Kentucky cattle producers.
- $1.3 million in state funds to the Kentucky Horticulture Council for 2015 and 2016 to provide technical support to farmers.
- $220,000 in state funds and up to $61,500 in county funds to construct a 12,000 square foot regional farmers market and renovate an existing building that will house a commercial kitchen.
- A total of $219,885 for 29 On-Farm Energy Efficiency Program projects.
County investments approved included:
- Up to $2,100 in Franklin County funds to the Franklin County Fair and Horse Show for upgrades to its multipurpose livestock pavilions.
- Up to $3,000 in Jessamine County funds to the Jefferson County 4-H Council for a country ham curing house.
- Up to $4,396 in Ballard County funds to the Ballard County Board of Education to purchase equipment and materials for the operation of its existing greenhouse.
- Up to $2,500 in LaRue County funds to the LaRue County Extension District Board for a country ham curing house.
- Up to $30,000 in Todd County funds to the Todd County Fiscal Court to conduct a feasibility study for a proposed development of natural gas supply for portions of Todd County.
- $21,000 in Jackson County funds to Appalachian Alternative Agriculture of Jackson County to use as operating capital for the Jackson County Regional Food Center.
Five County Agricultural Investment Program allocations totaling $877,505 were approved for projects in Warren, Boone, Hardin, Fleming, and Knox counties. An additional $124,211 was approved to enhance existing County Agricultural Investment Programs in Mason and Bracken counties.
Two Shared-use Equipment Programs were approved by the board for Pulaski County, totaling $21,773.
