Funded projects focus on agricultural diversification, rural development.
FRANKFORT (June 21, 2024) – The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $8,501,869 for agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the Commonwealth at its monthly board meeting.
“Through its grant approval projects, the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board creates growth and diversification opportunities for agriculture across the Commonwealth,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and board chair Jonathan Shell. “Tomorrow’s agriculture success depends on what we can do today. These project approvals help pave the way for a bright future.”
County and State Funded Projects
AppleAtcha Agritech KY was approved up to $3,500,000 in the form of a KADF participation loan to expand their apple orchard. For more information, contact Charles Hamm at chamm@appleatcaorchards.com.
City of Frankfort was approved up to $200,000 in multi-county funds and $250,000 in state funds to suport the construction of a new farmers market pavilion. For more information, contact Rebecca Hall at rhall@frankfort.ky.gov.
Green County Board of Education was approved up to $15,000 in Green County funds to build a greenhouse at the local high school. For more information, contact James Bonta at james.bonta@green.kyschools.us.
Farms of Fincastle, LLC was approved up to $250,000 in multi-county funds matched by state funds to establish a facility to include a location for wine production and storage. For more information, contact Vickie Yates Glisson at vickieyatesglisson@gmail.com.
Jemstar Properties was approved up to $15,000 in Montgomery County funds as a cost-reimbursement grant, $250,000 in state funds as a forgivable loan, and $1,000,000 in the form of a KADF participation loan. This project supports the construction of a processing facility in Mount Sterling. For more information, contact Marlin Gerber at marlingerber@icloud.com.
St. Romuald Interparochial School was approved up to $40,749 in Breckinridge County funds to establish a school greenhouse. For more information, contact Clint Board at clint.board@stromualdschool.org.
State Program
Large and Food Animal Veterinary Incentives Program
The Large and Food Animal Veterinary Incentives Program provides funding for Kentucky veterinarians to increase service to large and food animals in the state. Applicants may receive up to 75 percent reimbursement for eligible expenditures not to exceed more than $100,000 in state and county funds as a lifetime limit.
Two Large and Food Animal Veterinary Incentives Programs were approved by the board totaling $75,395:
Pulaski ($45,395)
Shelby ($30,000)
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, 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.
Eighteen CAIPs were approved by the board in the following counties totaling $2,775,475:
Adair ($200,000)
Allen ($140,500)
Anderson ($98,466)
Clinton ($123,000)
Cumberland ($131,113)
Franklin ($71,868)
Grant ($190,000)
Grayson ($250,000)
Hart ($280,000)
Henry ($225,000)*
Jefferson ($35,000)
McLean ($32,810)
Monroe ($300,000)
Nelson ($100,218)
Pike ($30,000)
Shelby ($316,000)
Warren ($121,500)
Wayne ($130,000)*
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.
Four DARs were approved by the board in the following counties totaling $42,750:
Bracken ($4,000)
Franklin ($8,750)
Hart ($15,000)
Nelson ($15,000)
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.
A NextGen in Nelson County was approved by the board totaling $25,000.
Shared-Use Equipment Program
The Shared-Use Equipment Program assists broad-based community organizations with the purchase of farm equipment. The equipment purchased is made available for producer use in a specific county on a leased basis.
A Shared-Use Equipment Program in Anderson County was approved by the board totaling $17,500.
Youth Agricultural Incentives Program (YAIP)
YAIP encourages youth to engage in and explore agricultural opportunities.
Four YAIPs in were approved by the board in the following counties totaling $45,000:
Grant ($5,000)
McLean ($5,000)
Nelson ($5,000)
Warren ($30,000)
All application periods and deadlines for CAIP, NextGen, and YAIP will be advertised locally.
*Existing programs receiving additional funding.
(Madison Pergrem – The Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy)