Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approves more than $2.2 million for projects across the commonwealth

The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board Approves Funding for Agricultural Diversification and Rural Development Projects

The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $2,294,599 for agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the commonwealth at its monthly board meeting.

The grants awarded today continue the board’s focus on diversification and rural development, which aims to strengthen the agricultural community in Kentucky. These projects vary the agricultural pursuits throughout the commonwealth, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of promoting sustainable agriculture and fostering economic growth in rural areas.

Youth Agricultural Incentives Program (YAIP)

The board approved a total of $87,100 for five Youth Agricultural Incentives Programs (YAIPs) across the state. These programs encourage youth to engage in and explore agricultural opportunities. The counties receiving funding are:

• Bourbon: $40,000
• Estill: $7,000
• Nicholas: $30,000
• Oldham: $5,000
• Spencer: $5,100

County- and State-Funded Projects

The board approved funding for several county- and state-funded projects that contribute to agricultural development. These projects support the SDGs by promoting sustainable farming practices and improving infrastructure in rural areas. The approved projects are:

• Critter Care Vet Clinic: Up to $27,072 in state and Trigg County funds to purchase large animal equipment under the Large & Food Animal Veterinary Incentives Program (LFAVIP). For more information, contact Dr. William Rogers at stan.rogers1958@gmail.com.
• Fayette County Farm Bureau Federation: Up to $2,500 in Fayette County funds to purchase a grain rescue extraction kit. For more information, contact Carrie McIntosh at carrie.mcintosh@kyfb.com.
• Hart County Fair Association: Up to $20,695 in Hart County funds to build an addition to its Agriculture Center Building. For more information, contact Jimmy England at jimmy.judy15@yahoo.com.
• Marshall County Extension Office: Up to $184,500 in state and Marshall County funds to construct a farmers’ market permanent structure. For more information, contact Nicole Rhein at nikki.rhein@uky.edu.
• Pennyroyal Farm Analysis Group, Inc.: Up to $41,000 in state funds to support the cost of a feasibility study to evaluate the future opportunities that the Kentucky Farm Business Management (KFBM) program can provide to producers. For more information, contact Drew Snider at drewsnider@outlook.com.

County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP)

The County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) provides cost-share assistance to Kentucky agricultural producers for improving and diversifying their farm operations. The program covers various agricultural enterprises and aligns with the SDGs by promoting sustainable farming practices and supporting economic development in rural areas. The board approved a total of $1,889,232 for eleven CAIPs across the state. The counties receiving funding are:

• Bourbon: $350,000
• Clay: $65,000*
• Cumberland: $135,866
• Crittenden: $45,557
• Gallatin: $80,000*
• McCreary: $29,011
• Metcalfe: $262,256
• Oldham: $50,082
• Rockcastle: $250,460
• Scott: $305,000
• Shelby: $316,000

Deceased Farm Animal Removal (DAR)

The Deceased Farm Animal Removal Program facilitates the environmentally-sound and cost-effective disposal of deceased livestock for Kentucky producers. The board approved a total of $17,500 for two DAR programs. The counties receiving funding are:

• Bourbon: $10,000
• Mason: $7,500

Next Generation Farmer Program (NextGen)

The Next Generation Farmer Program (NextGen) benefits producers ages 18 to 40 who have been engaged in agricultural operations for a minimum of three years. The board approved $25,000 for one NextGen program in Scott County. This program supports the SDGs by promoting youth involvement in agriculture and ensuring the sustainability of farming practices.

All application periods and deadlines for CAIP, NextGen, and YAIP will be advertised locally.

* Existing programs receiving additional funding.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article:

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
5. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
6. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
7. SDG 15: Life on Land

Specific Targets Based on the Article’s Content:

• Target 1.5: By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social, and environmental shocks and disasters.
• Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
• Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labor-intensive sectors.
• Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
• Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
• Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
• Target 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies, and accounts.

Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article:

• Indicator 1.5.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
• Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size.
• Indicator 8.2.1: Annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person.
• Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of the rural population who live within two kilometers of an all-season road.
• Indicator 11.4.1: Total expenditure (public and private) per capita spent on the preservation, protection, and conservation of all cultural and natural heritage.
• Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP.
• Indicator 15.9.1: Progress towards national targets established in accordance with Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators