By Blake Jackson
The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $2.3 million in funding for agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the state at its recent board meeting.
"The goal of the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board is to identify projects that introduce diversity into Kentucky's agriculture," said Commissioner of Agriculture and board chair Dr. Ryan Quarles. "The projects funded today reflect the many ways that diversification manifests itself in our communities."
Projects
- David Andrew Langley was approved up to $250,000 in matching state and county funds, with the option to pursue the remaining balance in the form of a participation loan, to support the construction of a 150,000-bushel grain bin as storage for local farmers to use to fill their distillery contracts.
- Wilderness Trail Area Beef Marketing Alliance was approved up to $344,653 in matching state and county funds to expand their existing livestock facility.
Programs
- Large and Food Animal Veterinary Incentives Program: This program provides funding for Kentucky veterinarians to increase service to large and food animals in the state.
- County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP): This program provides Kentucky agricultural producers with cost-share assistance on practices to allow them to improve and diversify their current farm operations.
- Deceased Farm Animal Removal (DAR): This program serves as a measure to facilitate the coordination of environmentally sound and cost-effective disposal of deceased livestock for Kentucky producers.
- Next Generation Farmer Program (NextGen): This program 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.
Youth Agricultural Incentives Program (YAIP): This program encourages youth to engage in and explore agricultural opportunities.
Photo Credit: kentucky-agricultural-board
Categories: Kentucky, General