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SEPT 19

Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approves more than $950,000 for projects across the Commonwealth

Funded projects focus on agricultural diversification, rural development


FRANKFORT (Sept. 19, 2025) – The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $955,113 for agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the Commonwealth Friday at its monthly board meeting.


"Projects, like the ones approved today, serve to strengthen the agricultural framework that makes up our communities and our state," Commissioner of Agriculture and Board Chair Jonathan Shell said. "The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board is working to grow our economy by diversifying our agricultural base, benefiting all of Kentucky."


County and State Funded Projects

  •     Joseph Dale Bentley was approved up to $51,300 in state funds for the construction and expansion of a small ruminant facility. For more information, contact Joseph D. Bentley at joebentley@hotmail.com. 


  •     Organic Association of Kentucky was approved up to $209,000 in state funds for one year to support three core OAK programs. For more information, contact Brooke D. Gentile at brooke@oak-ky.org. 


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.

 Seven CAIPs, totaling $623,688, were approved by the board in the following counties:

  •     Clark ($15,000)*
  •     Edmonson ($50,000)
  •     Fulton ($46,000)
  •     Johnson ($32,250)*
  •     Livingston ($71,838)
  •     Shelby ($320,000)
  •     Washington ($88,600)*


Deceased Farm Animal Removal (DAR)

The Deceased Farm Animal Removal Program serves as a measure to facilitate the coordination of environmentally sound and cost-effective disposal of deceased livestock for Kentucky producers. 


One DAR was approved by the board totaling $15,000 in Washington 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. 


Three Shared-Use Equipment Programs, totaling $31,625, were approved by the board in the following counties:


  •     Estill ($12,000)
  •     Washington ($8,000 and $11,625)


Youth Agricultural Incentives Program (YAIP)

YAIP encourages youth to engage in and explore agricultural opportunities.


Two YAIPs, totaling $24,500, were approved by the board in the following counties:

  •     Edmonson ($10,000)
  •     Washington ($14,500)*


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


* Existing programs receiving additional funding