ASHS 2015 Annual Conference

Kentucky State University-College of Agriculture, Food Science, and Sustainable Systems-Center for Sustainability of Farms and Families (CSFF) is supporting new economic opportunities for limited resource farmers through demonstration projects and grants funded through support from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board and Tobacco settlement funds. This granting program is impacting the production and sales of Kentucky-grown farm products.  We have received applications from 81 of 120 counties in Kentucky, including 11 counties identified as SOAR and 15 Appalachian Regional Commission counties which have been funded through The Small Scale Grant program. Over 331 grant proposals have been reviewed with a total of over $1,700,000 in funds requested. The grant gives priority to three specific areas; Organic Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Value-added processing. Presently 46 applications for Organic Agriculture with a total over $204,000, 23 for Aquaculture totaling over $94,000, and 78 in Value-added processing with a total over $337,000 have been approved. Funded projects include mobile freezer units on trailers, aerators for ponds, equipment for canning fruits and vegetables, farm tractor implements to support the integrity of organic crops, goat cheese and soap making equipment, root cellars and many additional items.  Given the network of agricultural agencies and marketing groups in Kentucky, we have assisted numerous applicants with contacts for selling their products, educated them on production techniques, or secured funds from other sources whose mission is more aligned with their needs.