| Kentucky’s Ag Development awards funds at May meeting |
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FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board (KADB) approved $1,716,593 in 15 agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during its May board meeting.
The following investments were made through the Multi-County Agri-Energy Initiative using American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Funds and Kentucky Agricultural Development Funds:
•The Western Regional Center for Emerging Technology was approved for $25,000 in ARRA funds, $25,000 in state and $2,000 each in Graves and Todd counties Agricultural Development Funds to implement a multi-county program for the development of western Kentucky’s emerging bio-energy industry.
•Commonwealth Agri-Energy, Inc. was approved for $100,000 in ARRA funds, $100,000 in state, $10,000 in Christian County and $5,000 in Todd County Agricultural Development Funds to reduce the amount of electricity required for the ethanol plant’s cooling systems.
•The County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) is designed to provide farmers with incentives to allow them to improve and diversify current production practices. CAIP covers a wide variety of agricultural enterprises in its 11 investment areas. Awards include:
Daviess County, Green River Area Beef Improvement Group, $150,000 in Daviess County and $136,801 in Muhlenberg County; Fayette County Conservation District, $150,000; Graves County, Jackson Purchase RC&D, $53,588; Henry County Cattlemen’s Assoc., Inc., $299,193; Hopkins County Farm Bureau, $45,109; McLean County, Green River Area Beef Improvement Group, $78,963; Meade County Cattlemen’s Assoc., Inc., $64,639; Mercer County Farm Bureau, $250,000; and Woodford County Agriculture Advancement Council, Inc., $200,000.
•The Deceased Farm Animal Disposal Assistance Program serves as an interim measure to facilitate the coordination of environmentally sound and cost-effective disposal of deceased livestock for Kentucky producers. Those approved by the board include Jessamine County Fiscal Court, $5,000, and Rockcastle County Conservation District, $2,250.
•The Shared-Use Equipment Program is designed to impact 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. This includes Nicholas County Fiscal Court, $12,050. |
| 6/2/2010 |
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