Funded projects focus on agricultural diversification, rural development

FRANKFORT (August 18, 2023) - The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $2,294,599 for agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the commonwealth at its monthly board meeting.

“The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board’s focus on diversification and rural development only aids to strengthen our agricultural community,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and board chair Dr. Ryan Quarles. “The grants awarded today continue that focus by varying the agricultural pursuits throughout the commonwealth.”

County and State Funded Projects

• Critter Care Vet Clinic was approved up to $27,072 in state and Trigg County funds to purchase large animal equipment under the Large & Food Animal Veterinary Incentives Program (LFAVIP). For more information, contact Dr. William Rogers at stan.rogers1958@gmail.com.
• Fayette County Farm Bureau Federation was approved up to $2,500 in Fayette County funds to purchase a grain rescue extraction kit. For more information, contact Carrie McIntosh at carrie.mcintosh@kyfb.com.
• Hart County Fair Association was approved up to $20,695 in Hart County funds to build an addition to its Agriculture Center Building. For more information, contact Jimmy England at jimmy.judy15@yahoo.com.
• Marshall County Extension Office was approved up to $184,500 in state andMarshall County funds to construct a farmers' market permanent structure. For more information, contact Nicole Rhein at nikki.rhein@uky.edu.
• Pennyroyal Farm Analysis Group, Inc. was approved up to $41,000 in state funds to support the cost of a feasibility study to evaluate the future opportunities that the Kentucky Farm Business Management (KFBM) program can provide to producers. For more information, contact Drew Snider at drewsnider@outlook.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, 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.

Eleven CAIPs were approved by the board totaling $1,889,232:

• Bourbon($350,000)
• Clay($65,000)*
• Cumberland ($135,866)
• Crittenden($45,557)
• Gallatin ($80,000)*
• McCreary ($29,011)
• Metcalfe ($262,256)
• Oldham ($50,082)
• Rockcastle($250,460)
• Scott ($305,000)
• Shelby ($316,000)

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 $17,500:

• Bourbon ($10,000)
• Mason ($7,500)

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 program was approved by the board totaling $25,000:

• Scott ($25,000)

Youth Agricultural Incentives Program (YAIP)

YAIP encourages youth to engage in and explore agricultural opportunities.

Five YAIPs were approved by the board totaling $87,100:

• Bourbon ($40,000)
• Estill ($7,000)
• Nicholas ($30,000)
• Oldham ($5,000)
• Spencer ($5,100)

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.