Kentucky Conservation: State Cost Share Program
Deadline: On-going
Funding Amount: Up to $7,500 - 75% cost-share
Eligible Entities: Farmers and Kentucky land owners
Link: http://conservation.ky.gov/Pages/ConservationDistricts.aspx
Overview: The Kentucky Conservation: State Cost Share Program supports conservation practices in six main areas: Livestock - Animal Feeding, Livestock - Pastureland, Cropland, Forestland, Streambank, and Farmstead. The funds come from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund. The projects are capped at $7,500 per producer per year, except for animal waste storage which is capped at $20,000. The program provides a 75% payback upon a project's completion. Use the link above to learn more and/or to find your local conservation office to apply.
USDA-NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program
Deadline: On-going, next cut off is January 18, 2019
Funding Amount: Cost share - rate varies by project
Eligible Entities: Farmers and landowners
Link: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/eqip/
Overview: The purpose of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) EQIP is to protect the land by helping farmers implement voluntary conservation practices. EQIP provides a cost-share through a competitively scored application process. Farmers and owners of cropland, pasture, and forest land are generally eligible. EQIP can help pay for conservation practices that help improve and conserve farm land. These practices include grazing management (stock water systems, fencing, and pasture planting), nutrient management (cover crops and erosion control), pest management, wildlife habitat enhancement, forest stand management, seasonal high tunnels (for seasonal crop extension) and, energy management plans. Contact your local NRCS office to ask for help creating a conservation plan for your farm and how to apply.
Kentucky Proud Promotional Grant Program
Deadline: On-going
Funding Amount: Up to 10% of annual gross farm income, capped at $8,000 per year, $1 for $1 match
Eligible Entities: Kentucky farmers and agribusinesses
Link: http://www.kyagr.com/marketing/grants.html; KDA Promotional Grant Application; KY Proud Registration
Overview: The Kentucky Proud Promotional Grant is a cost share program to help Kentucky farmers and agribusinesses pay for advertising and marketing expenses. The award amount is based on 10% of direct farm impact, for a farmer, it would be 10% of their total farm gross sales. The applicant must be a registered member of Kentucky Proud to apply and use the Kentucky Proud logo/brand in marketing efforts paid for with program funds. Examples of eligible expenses include printed promotional materials, TV ads, radio ads, internet marketing expenses, hats, t-shirts, samples, labels, packaging, trade shows, UPC barcodes, and more.