According to a recent press release from the Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy in Kentucky, 2014 has concluded with record investments in the state’s agricultural industry as it builds towards a successful future.
In 2014, more than $33 million in state and county Agricultural Development Funds were disbursed in grants and loans for agricultural investments in rural parts of the state. Gov. Steve Beshear, chairman of the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board (KADB), recently approved an additional $10,355,386 for 48 agricultural diversification and rural development programs and projects during its December board meeting, bringing the total to more than $43 million for the year.
Beshear says in the release, "Over the past 14 years, every county in Kentucky has benefitted in some way by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund. The projects approved today, show the direct impact of the KADF and its widespread reach across the Commonwealth, exemplifying the types of projects and programs that will lead agriculture into the future."
One of the largest investments was made to the “Kentucky Proud Marketing Program, which had a total of $3,490,000 in state funds for 2015 and 2016 allocated towards it in an effort to fund the “Kentucky Proud Program,” a marketing and promotional program that serves as the brand for Kentucky’s agriculture products.
Other funds that were invested in on the statewide and regional level included the Dairy Industry Education and Marketing Initiative, Horticulture Industry Initiatives, Regional Farmers Market, and more. These record investments in Kentucky agriculture show the government is making an effort to continue positive momentum in the near future.