Contact Us
AgNet

NOV 21

Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approves more than $2.3 million for projects across the Commonwealth

Funded projects focus on agricultural diversification, rural development


FRANKFORT (Nov. 21, 2025) – The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $2,368,905 for agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the Commonwealth Friday at its monthly board meeting.

" A thriving agricultural community is achieved through a rich diversification of agricultural products," Commissioner of Agriculture and Board Chair Jonathan Shell said. "The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board is working to create greater diversification through projects like those approved today. The work the board does strengthens the fabric of our farms, our farm families, and our state.”


County and State Funded Projects

  • Kentucky Community and Technical College System Foundation, Inc., was approved up to $63,200 in state funds to develop and implement a comprehensive certification program for meat processing. For more information, contact Emily Sayers at emily.sayers@kctcs.edu.
  •  Kentucky State University was approved up to $1,400,000 in state funds over a two-year period to aid in continuing its KSU Mini-Grant Program to help the producers across the state. For more information, contact Dorothy Daley at dorothy.daley@kysu.edu. 
  • University of Kentucky Research Foundation was approved up $181,952 in state funds over a one-year period to support the state's Viticulture and Enology Extension Program. For more information, contact Patsy Wilson at patsy.wilson@uky.edu. 


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.

Six CAIPs, totaling $606,490, were approved by the board in the following counties:

  • Boone ($117,046)
  • Fleming ($200,000)
  • Hardin ($100,000)
  •  Jessamine ($70,000)*
  • Menifee ($81,644)
  • Nicholas ($37,800)*


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 Fleming County.


Shared-Use Equipment Program

The Shared-Use Equipment Program assists broad-based community organizations with the purchase of farm equipment. The equipment purchased is made available for producer use in a specific county on a leased basis.

One Shared-Use Equipment Program, was approved by the board totaling $26,063 in Barren County.


Youth Agricultural Incentives Program (YAIP)

YAIP encourages youth to engage in and explore agricultural opportunities.

Three YAIPs, totaling $61,200, were approved by the board in the following counties: 

  • Fleming ($25,000)
  • Nicholas ($21,200)
  • Wayne ($15,000)*


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


* Existing programs receiving additional funding