FRANKFORT (Oct. 17, 2025) – The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $1,207,488 for agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the Commonwealth Friday at its monthly board meeting.

"Diversifying our agricultural landscape is key to a thriving agricultural community," Commissioner of Agriculture and Board Chair Jonathan Shell said. "The projects awarded today by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board is working to achieve that diversification and strengthen our farms and our farm families, which equates to a stronger Commonwealth."

County and State Funded Projects

• Hardin County Farm Bureau of Hardin County was approved up to $9,148 in Hardin County funds to purchase grain bin rescue equipment. For more information, contact Laura Jade Sadler at Jade.sadler@fcma.com. 

• Jessamine County FFA Alumni Association, Inc. was approved up to $15,000 in Jessamine County funds to run a youth cost-share program for Supervised Agricultural Experience and 4-H projects. For more information, contact Carl R. Waits at carl.waits@twc.com. 

• Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation was approved up to $250,000 in state funds to further capitalize the Kentucky highlands SOAR Small Farm Loan Fund. For more information, contact Michael Hayes at bmhayes@khic.org. 

• Owen County Animal Clinic was approved up to $83,333 in state funds and $16,667 in Owen County funds as part of the Large & Food Animal Veterinary Incentives Program to build a veterinary clinic and haul-in facility for small and large animals. For more information, contact Matthew Parker at parkermatt22@yahoo.com. 

• University of Kentucky was approved up to $147,000 in state funds to support the educational outreach and continued research of the Kentucky hay production used in the equine industry. For more information, contact Ray Smith at raysmith1@uky.edu. 

State Programs

On-Farm Energy Efficiency Incentives Program

The On-Farm Energy Efficiency Incentives Program provides incentives for Kentucky farm families to increase the energy efficiency of existing equipment or facilities on the farm.

 Seven On-Farm Energy Efficiency Incentives Programs, totaling $71,340, were approved by the board in the following counties:

• Breckinridge ($10,300)

• Estill ($9,540)

• Laurel ($10,300)

• Monroe ($10,300)

• Pulaski ($10,300)

• Rockcastle ($10,300)

• Webster ($10,300)

County Programs

County Agricultural Incentives 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 incentive 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.

 Two CAIPs, totaling $585,000, were approved by the board in the following counties:

• Scott ($305,000)

• Woodford ($280,000)

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. 

One NextGen was approved by the board totaling $30,000 in Scott County.

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

* Existing programs receiving additional funding