Kentucky Ag Board Approves $1.36M for Rural Projects

By Blake Jackson

The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board has approved $1,365,578 to support a variety of agricultural diversification and rural development projects throughout the state.

The funding was announced during the board’s latest monthly meeting and will back initiatives aimed at strengthening Kentucky’s farming communities.

“The projects awarded today help weave a vibrant patchwork of agricultural diversity across Kentucky,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Kentucky Agricultural Development Board Chair Jonathan Shell. “With each investment, the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board is helping build a stronger, more resilient, and prosperous future for our farm families and communities.”

Several counties and statewide projects received funding. The Barren County Board of Education was granted up to $212,675 in multi-county funds to expand its agricultural education livestock facility, adding a USDA-certified meat processing feature.

Bluegrass Animal Clinic secured $49,188 in state funds and $9,838 in county funds for a truck and Portavet through the Large & Food Animal Veterinary Incentives Program.

Grace Elizabeth Boyd was awarded $23,564 in state funds and $4,713 in county funds under the same program for truck acquisition. Harton Farms LLC will receive $3,750 in state funds for consultation services related to food safety and audit preparation.

Kentucky Fresh Harvest was granted $3,750 for food safety consulting through the Food Safety & Efficiency Incentives Program.

Logan County Agricultural Extension Foundation, Inc. earned $7,000 in county funds for fencing its outdoor arena, while the University of Kentucky Research Foundation-UKDRS received $35,048 to purchase forage testing equipment.

W&W Veterinary Services, PLLC secured $66,241 in combined state and county funds for improvements to its large animal handling facilities.

In addition, the board approved eight County Agricultural Incentives Programs (CAIPs) totaling $799,811 for counties including Clay, Green, Johnson, Knott, Logan, Mason, Rockcastle, and Washington. The Deceased Farm Animal Removal (DAR) Program approved $30,000 for Scott and Shelby counties.

The Next Generation Farmer Program (NextGen) awarded $30,000 to Washington County, while the Youth Agricultural Incentives Program (YAIP) provided $90,000 to Logan and Washington counties.

Application periods and deadlines for CAIP, NextGen, and YAIP will be promoted locally to ensure farmers and agricultural producers stay informed about future funding opportunities.

Photo Credit: kentucky-agricultural-board