Kentucky Ag Development Board Approves Project Funding

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $1,701,171 for agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the commonwealth at its monthly board meeting.

“The changing landscape of agriculture is dependent upon communities being able to diversify their agricultural outputs,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and board chair Dr. Ryan Quarles. “The grants awarded by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board goes a long way in helping make that a realization for the state’s farming future.”

County and State Funded Projects

Adair County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc. was approved $16,000 in Adair County funds to run a Youth Cost Share Program. For more information, contact tbright@uky.edu.

Green Terrace Market was approved $33,050 in Daviess County funds to purchase refrigeration equipment.

For more information, contact Johnkharralson@gmail.com.

Kenton County Fiscal Court was approved $250,000 in state and Kenton County funds to build a farmers’ market pavilion in downtown Independence, Ky. For more information, contact scott.gunning@kentoncounty.org.

Kentucky Department of Agriculture was approved $210,000 in state funds over a two-year period (2023-2024) to continue to support the Kentucky Grape and Wine Council (KGWC). For more information, contact tyler.madison@ky.gov.

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.

Nine CAIPs were approved by the board totaling $1,091,696:

Bath ($284,900)

Bell ($30,000)

Boone ($13,507)*

Madison ($235,000)

Mason ($66,150)*

Montgomery ($83,000)

Owen ($150,000)

Rowan ($93,639)

Spencer ($135,500)

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 $18,375:

Bath ($5,000)

Mercer ($13,375)