By Blake Jackson
The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board (KADB) approved more than $1.74 million in funding during its monthly meeting Friday to support agricultural diversification and rural development projects across Kentucky.
“Diversification is at the heart of today’s agriculture success,” Commissioner of Agriculture and Board Chair Jonathan Shell said.
“The projects awarded today by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board accomplish that goal of diversification and, in turn, provide greater strength to our farming communities and our state.”
Among the major projects approved, Eagle Mill Farms, LLC, doing business as Pepper's Hardin County Milling, received multi-county and state matching funds to modernize its feed facility. The board also referred the business to the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation for potential financing assistance.
Genuine Fertilizer Solutions LLC was also awarded multi-county and state matching funds to expand its production equipment and increase storage capacity. The company was similarly referred to the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture secured up to $62,000 in state funding to launch a statewide education and monitoring initiative focused on the invasive yellow-legged hornet.
The board also approved $1,579,515 through the County Agricultural Incentives Program (CAIP), benefiting producers in 12 counties.
The program provides cost-share assistance for projects involving livestock, farm infrastructure, fencing, water systems, forage, horticulture, poultry, technology, energy efficiency, marketing, timber, and value-added agriculture.
In addition, the Deceased Farm Animal Removal (DAR) Program received $10,000 for Bourbon County to support environmentally responsible livestock disposal.
The Youth Agricultural Incentives Program (YAIP) was awarded $89,000 across Barren, Grant, Grayson, and Warren counties. The program encourages young people to explore agricultural careers and invest in farming projects.
Officials noted that future application periods and deadlines for both the CAIP and YAIP programs will be announced locally.
For more information, contact Bill McCloskey at Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy at (502) 382-6093 or email kafc@ky.gov.
Photo Credit: kentucky-agricultural-board
Categories: Kentucky, Government & Policy