Carroll Co. wins $210,000 state agricultural development grant

FRANKFORT, Ky. - The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Gov. Steve Beshear, approved $210,000 in Carroll County Agricultural Development Funds for a County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) at their January business meeting. The Carroll County Agriculture Development Fund Inc. submitted a proposal to the Carroll County Agricultural Development Council and the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board to provide cost-share incentives to area farmers.
“I am committed to creating opportunities that will make Kentucky’s agricultural community stronger,” said Gov. Beshear. “County Agricultural Investment Programs funded by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board play an integral role in achieving this goal.”
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, where each model program becomes an investment area.
“These funds are a great benefit to Carroll County farm families to help diversify and modernize their farm operations,” said Sen. Ernie Harris, of Crestwood. “The diversification of agriculture is greatly aided by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund.”
“Carroll County is fortunate to have these funds available for increasing net farm income and improving the rural economy,” said Rep. Rick Rand, of Bedford. “The County Ag. Investment Program will be a tremendous asset to our farm families.”
CAIP covers 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 Carroll County, contact Tim Hendrick at (502) 732-7030.