LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 23, 2012) — Sixteen agriculture diversification projects qere awarded $1,326,404 in development funds last week during the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board (KADB) meeting.
State and regional investments included:
• $998,000 — Center for Sustainability of Farms and Families Initiatives: Kentucky State University was approved for $998,000 over two years to implement the initiatives of the Kentucky Center for Sustainability of Farms and Families to foster development and improve profitability of tobacco dependent small farms, as well as underserved and limited resource farmers within the state
• $54,000 — Lamb marketing: Four Hills Farm LLC was approved for a $4,000 grant in Mercer County funds and a $50,000 one percent interest loan to expand their lamb enterprise, which markets Kentucky raised lamb to restaurants and food service markets.
County investments approved included:
• $25,000 — Purchase of development rights: Fayette County Rural Land Management Board Inc. was approved for $25,000 for purchase of development rights on rural farmland in Fayette County.
• $1,500 — Show hog initiative: Carroll County Agriculture Development Fund Inc., on behalf of Carroll County FFA Alumni, was approved for $1,500 for the Carroll County Show Hog Initiative for local youth.
• The County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) is designed to provide farmers with incentives to allow them to improve and diversify their current production practices. CAIP covers a wide variety of agricultural enterprises in its 11 investment areas. Three CAIPs were approved by the board totaling $72,506 for Marshall, Oldham and Whitley counties.
In addition to these new approvals, an additional $104,410 was approved to supplement existing CAIPs in Barren, Kenton and Oldham counties.
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 Deceased Farm Animal Removal Programs were approved totaling $15,000 for Boyle and Scott counties.
The Shared-use Equipment Program is designed to benefit a high number of producers who cannot justify ownership expenses associated with certain equipment by helping them access technology necessary to improve their operations in an economical manner. Four Shared-use Equipment Programs were approved by the board totaling $55,988 for Clay, Fayette, Madison and Montgomery counties.
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