development funds

The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Gov. Steve Beshear, approved $100,000 in Clinton County Agricultural Development Funds for a County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) at their August business meeting. The Clinton County Farm Bureau submitted a proposal to the Clinton County Agricultural Development Council and the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board to provide cost-share incentives to area farmers.

“I am committed to giving our farmers the tools and resources they need to remain competitive and continue Kentucky’s strong farming tradition,” said Gov. Beshear. “County Agricultural Investment Programs funded by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board provide important on-farm investment opportunities.”

CAIP is designed to provide farmers with incentives to allow them to improve and diversify their current production practices. CAIP combines what were previously known as county model cost-share programs into one, which each model program becomes an investment area.

As we continue to strive for agricultural diversification across the Commonwealth, the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund remains an important benefit to Clinton County farm families through the County Agricultural Investment Program, said Senate President David Williams, of Burkesville.

We are pleased with the Agricultural Development Board’s commitment through CAIP, said House Minority Floor Leader Jeff Hoover, of Jamestown. The diversification of agriculture in Clinton County is greatly aided by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund.

CAIP provides a wide variety of agricultural enterprises in its 11 investment areas, including commercial production of aquaculture; bees and honey; equine; forage; fruit; livestock; mushrooms; ornamental horticulture; poultry; rabbits; timber; and vegetables, as well as agritourism business development; commercial kitchen construction or conversion; energy efficiency/production; and on-farm water enhancement.

For more information about the sign-up period and the complete guidelines for this program in Clinton County, contact Phil Smith on behalf of the farm bureau at (606) 387-5404, (606) 688-4974 or spsmith@uky.edu.