FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 17, 2017) –The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $1,204,414 in 21 agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the Commonwealth at its monthly board meeting.

State Investments:

Agribusiness Services

Kentucky Nutrition Service, Inc. was approved for up to $500,000 in State funds, as a loan, to build a new facility, purchase software and mineral blending equipment. For more information on this project, contact Michael Peterson at (502) 839-4222.

Upgrades to USDA-Inspected Slaughter Facility

Beef & Bacon Custom Processing LLC was approved for up to $9,825 in State and McLean and Daviess County funds to transition from a custom processing facility to a USDA-inspected facility.  For more information on this project, contact Wesley Spurrier at (270) 273-5769 or spurrjw@hotmail.com.

Feasibility Study

Vances Mill Farms Inc. was approved for $8,269 in State and Simpson County funds to conduct a study on the marketing and economic feasibility of a conventional and organic livestock processing facility in Simpson County. For more information on this project, contact Kelly Bush at (615) 972-2874.

County Investments:

School Greenhouse

St. Mary School was approved for $1,799 in Bourbon County funds to purchase and install a school greenhouse.  For more information on this project, contact Lucy Marsh at (859) 987-3815 or lmarsh@cdlex.org.

Grain Bin Rescue Equipment

Pulaski County Conservation District was approved for $1,645 in Pulaski County funds to purchase grain bin rescue equipment. For more information on this project, contact Nancy Carver at (606) 678-4842 or nancy.carver@ky.nacdnet.net.

Cargo Trailer

The Pulaski County Cattlemen’s Association, Inc. was approved for $2,502 in Pulaski County funds to purchase a cargo trailer for mobile cooking, serving, and marketing at agricultural events. For more information on this project, contact John Burnett at (606) 872-4250 or john.burnett@ky.nacdnet.net.

Kitchen Equipment

CCGJ, LLC dba Versailles Brewing Company Restaurant, LLC was approved for $50,000 in Woodford County funds to purchase equipment for a new restaurant that will source locally grown food to serve. For more information on this project, contact Gary Jones at (859) 321-0582 or gjones1028@gmail.com.

On-Farm Investments
CAIP offers 10 investment areas that give Kentucky agricultural producers the ability to increase net farm income, add value to their products and diversify their operation. CAIP benefits and enhances agriculture across the state by stimulating markets for Kentucky agricultural products. Three County Agricultural Investment Programs (CAIP) were approved by the board totaling $398,417 for Carter ($103,256), McCracken ($115,000), and Wolfe ($180,161) counties.

In addition to these new approvals, an additional $169,957 was approved to enhance existing CAIPs in Green ($49,000), Hancock ($8,526), Mason ($52,632), Metcalfe ($25,438), Nelson ($14,285) and Warren ($20,076) counties. 

Environmental Stewardship

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 totaling $15,000 were approved by the board for Christian ($7,500) and Hart ($7,500) counties.

Next Generation Beginning Farmer Program

The Next Generation Beginning Farmer Program was developed to facilitate the growing need for a specialized program that would benefit producers engaged in an agricultural operation from three to seven years. One Next Generation Beginning Farmer Program was approved totaling $30,000 for recipients in Hardin County.

Youth Agricultural Incentives Program

The Youth Agricultural Incentives Program serves as a measure to facilitate the growing need for a specialized program that benefits youth actively engaged in agriculture. Two Youth Agricultural Incentives Programs were approved totaling $17,000 for recipients in Hancock ($2,000) and Hardin ($15,000) counties.