Funded projects focus on agricultural diversification, rural development

FRANKFORT (Oct. 21, 2022) - The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $4,551,159 for agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the commonwealth at its monthly board meeting.

“The variety of projects funded by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board exemplifies the diversity it strives to serve in order to achieve the greatest reach across our vast agricultural landscape,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and board chair Dr. Ryan Quarles. “The projects not only give assistance to the individual agriculture producers, but Kentucky agriculture as a whole, achieving a greater farming future for our commonwealth.”

State and County Funded Projects

• Caliente Therapy, LLC was approved up to $88,250 in county funds to build an equine rehabilitation facility barn and purchase needed equipment. For more information, contact Jordan Berry at jeb20.jb@gmail.com.
• Johnson's Custom Meats, LLC was approved $12,184 in Breathitt County funds to purchase meat processing equipment to replace equipment lost by recent flooding. For more information, contact Michael Johnson at johnsonscustommeats@yahoo.com.
• Paris Independent Schools was approved $25,000 in Bourbon County funds to construct a greenhouse for the agricultural department. For more information, contact Shane Norris at shane.norris1@paris.kyschools.us.
• Poso Creek Family Dairy, LLC was approved $2,500,000 in state funds in the form of a participation loan to support the establishment of a 5,000-cow dairy farm in Fulton County. For more information, contact Rayme Mackinson at rrmackinson@gmail.com.
• Pulaski County Farm Bureau, Inc. was approved $2,512 in Pulaski County funds to purchase a grain rescue extraction kit. For more information, contact Delana Harris at delana.harris@kyfb.com.
• Robert W. Brown was approved up to $250,000 in state funds to build a USDA meat processing facility in Graves County. For more information, contact Robert W. Brown at robert69pvf@gmail.com.
• University of Kentucky Research Foundation was approved up to $400,543 in state funds to fund three full-time value chain coordinators for two years. For more information, contact Dr. Ashton Wright at ashtonpotterwright@uky.edu.

State Program

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.

Four On-Farm Energy Efficiency Incentives Programs were approved by the board totaling $40,525:

• Barren ($10,150)
• Daviess ($10,150)
• Graves ($10,075)
• Owsley ($10,150)

County Programs

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.

Six CAIPs were approved by the board totaling $1,132,220:
• Bullitt ($94,220)
• Hardin ($120,000)
• Jessamine ($90,000) *
• Scott ($305,000)
• Shelby ($350,000)
• Wolfe ($173,000)

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.

Two DAR programs were approved by the board totaling $21,000:
• Scott ($15,000)
• Spencer ($6,000)

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 programs were approved by the board totaling $55,000:
• Hardin ($30,000)
• Scott ($25,000)

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.

Two Shared-Use Equipment programs were approved by the board totaling $13,925:
• Clark ($4,425)
• Washington ($9,500)

Youth Agricultural Incentives Program (YAIP)
YAIP encourages youth to engage in and explore agricultural opportunities.

One YAIP was approved by the board totaling $10,000:
• Hardin ($10,000)

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

*Existing programs receiving additional funding.

The Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy (KOAP), a division within the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, provides staff support to the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation (KAFC) and the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund (KADF). The KADF is administered by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board. KOAP ensures Kentucky is being good stewards of dollars from the 1998 Tobacco Settlement Agreement by overseeing the boards’ investments into diversifying and supporting Kentucky agriculture.