3/20/26 – Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approves more than $1 million for projects across the Commonwealth

What this means

Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approves more than $1 million for projects across the Commonwealth Funded projects focus on agricultural diversification, rural development FRANKFORT (March 20, 2026) – The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $1,009,883 for agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the Commonwealth Friday at its monthly board meeting. Bluegrass Flow Co. was approved up to $93,833 in county funds matched by state funds with the difference in a forgivable loan to purchase processing equipment and convert an existing building into a commercial kitchen.

Official release

Source material from Kentucky Department of Agriculture. The wording below is the issuer’s statement.

MAR 26

Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approves more than $1 million for projects across the Commonwealth

Funded projects focus on agricultural diversification, rural development

FRANKFORT (March 20, 2026) – The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $1,009,883 for agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the Commonwealth Friday at its monthly board meeting.

“The strength in our agriculture comes from the unique diversity we have across our Commonwealth,” Commissioner of Agriculture and Board Chair Jonathan Shell said. “The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board continues to award projects that continue that diversity and further strengthen our economic stronghold.”

County and State Funded Projects

Bluegrass Flow Co. was approved up to $93,833 in county funds matched by state funds with the difference in a forgivable loan to purchase processing equipment and convert an existing building into a commercial kitchen. For more information, contact Taylor Fraser at taylorfutrell22@gmail.com

Elkton Fire Department was approved up to $39,500 in multi-county funds to purchase grain rescue equipment to utilize for grain entrapment emergencies. For more information, contact J.T. Calvery at jtcalvery90@gmail.com.

County Programs

County Agricultural Incentives Program (CAIP)

CAIP provides Kentucky agricultural producers with cost-share assistance on practices to allow them to improve and diversify their current farm operations. CAIP covers a wide variety of agricultural enterprises in its 11 incentive areas, including, but not limited to, beef and dairy cattle; farm infrastructure, fencing, and water enhancement; equine; forage; goats and sheep; horticulture; poultry; swine; bees and honey; timber and technology, as well as energy efficiency and production; marketing; and value-added production.

Five CAIPs, totaling $709,980, were approved by the board in the following counties:

Estill ($80,000)

Garrard ($300,000)

Henry ($1,000)

Logan ($48,980)

Madison ($280,000)

Deceased Farm Animal Removal (DAR)

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 DARs, totaling $15,000, were approved by the board in the following counties:

Madison ($10,000)

Oldham ($5,000)

Next Generation Farmer Program (NextGen)

NextGen addresses the growing need for a specialized program that would benefit producers ages 18 to 40 that have been engaged in an agricultural operation for a minimum of three years.

One NextGen, totaling $1,000, was approved by the board in Henry County.

Shared-Use Equipment Program

The Shared-Use Equipment Program assists broad-based community organizations with the purchase of farm equipment. The equipment purchased is made available for producer use in a specific county on a leased basis.

Three Shared-Use Equipment Programs, totaling $68,850, were approved by the board in the following counties:

Logan ($27,000)

Madison ($26,925)

Madison ($14,925)

Youth Agricultural Incentives Program (YAIP)

YAIP encourages youth to engage in and explore agricultural opportunities.

Two YAIPs, totaling $81,720, were approved by the board in the following counties:

Logan ($51,720)

Madison ($30,000)

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

The Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy (KOAP), a division within the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, provides staff support to the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation (KAFC) and the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund (KADF). The KADF is administered by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board. KOAP ensures Kentucky is being good stewards of dollars from the 1998 Tobacco Settlement Agreement by overseeing the boards’ investments into diversifying and supporting Kentucky agriculture.

Release text attributed to Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.