Projects include agricultural diversification, rural development

LOUISVILLE (Aug. 20, 2021) – The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $3,483,097 for agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the commonwealth at its monthly board meeting.

State and County Funded Projects

• -- Hickman County Board of Education was approved for $42,909 in Hickman County funds for equipment and teaching materials to train students in agricultural workforce skills. For more information, contact Darian Irvan at darian.irvan@hickman.kyschools.us.

• -- Kentucky Horse Council, Inc. was approved for $200,000 in state funds to contract with the National Agricultural Statistics Service to conduct an equine industry survey. For more information, contact Sarah Coleman at sarah@kentuckyhorse.org.

• -- Nelson County Farm Bureau was approved for $2,188 in Nelson County funds to purchase grain safety equipment for the Nelson County Fire Department to utilize for any farm safety calls regarding grain bin rescue. For more information contact, P.J. Milburn at p.j.milburn@channelseedsman.com.

County Agricultural Investment 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 investment areas, including, but not limited to, bees and honey; equine; forage; beef and dairy cattle; goats and sheep; horticulture; poultry; swine; timber and technology, as well as energy efficiency and production; farm infrastructure and water enhancement; marketing; and value-added production.

 Twenty CAIPs were approved by the board totaling $3,049,625:

• -- Bullitt ($52,000)*
• -- Carroll ($4,000)*
• -- Carter ($130,292)
• -- Casey ($315,000)
• -- Clay ($300,000)
• -- Estill ($80,000)
• -- Edmonson ($95,000)
• -- Fayette ($175,000)
-- Franklin ($161,225)
• -- Garrard ($200,000)
• -- Graves ($50,224)
• -- Hardin ($100,000)
• -- Hart ($300,000)
• -- Henry ($70,000)*
• -- Marion ($30,000)*
• -- Pendleton ($210,100)
-- Shelby ($300,000)
• -- Trigg ($79,000)*
• -- Warren ($197,784)
• -- Wolfe ($200,000)

*Existing programs receiving additional funding.

Deceased Farm Animal Removal Program (DAR)

DAR serves as a measure to facilitate the coordination of environmentally sound and cost-effective disposal of deceased livestock for Kentucky producers.

Three Deceased Farm Animal Removal programs were approved by the board totaling $36,250:

• -- Franklin ($8,750)
• -- Hardin ($12,500)
• -- Hart ($15,000)

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.

Two NextGen Program was approved by the board totaling $43,000:

• -- Hardin ($30,000)
• -- Henry ($13,000)*

Shared-Use Equipment Program

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.

OneShared-Use programs were approved by the board totaling $19,125:

• -- Graves County ($19,125)

Youth Agricultural Incentives Program (Youth)

Youth encourages youth to engage in and explore agricultural opportunities.

Five Youth programs were approved by the board totaling $90,000:

• -- Bourbon ($25,000)
• -- Hardin ($10,000)
• -- Henry ($5,000)*
• -- Warren ($20,000)
• -- Wolfe ($30,000)

All application periods and deadlines for CAIP, NextGen and Youth and leasing information for Shared-Use programs will be advertised locally.

*Existing programs receiving additional funding.