The Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy (GOAP), in Frankfort, is arguably one of the biggest advocates for Kentucky agriculture. GOAP provides a link between the agriculture industry and Governor Andy Beshear and maintains this vital relationship for agriculturalists across the broad spectrum of agriculture in the commonwealth.

GOAP administers the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement funds received annually from tobacco companies through the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board (KADB) and the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation (KAFC). Both the KADB and KAFC serve Kentucky agriculture by providing grants, incentives and low interest loans to promote growth, innovation and diversity in one of the most essential industries in the state.

The KADB is composed of five statutory members and eleven appointed members that represent the state geographically, as well as the many sectors of agriculture. Since its inception 20 years ago, the KADB has invested more than $630 million into Kentucky agriculture to encourage agricultural entrepreneurship and help grow agriculture in all forms around the state. In fiscal year 2020, the KADB approved more than $27 million in state and county funding for programs and projects.

State-funded programs include the Meat Processing Investment Program, On-Farm Water Management Program and On-Farm Energy Efficiency Incentives Program, which serve to assist in making agriculture more sustainable and efficient in meeting the needs of our communities. County programs such as the County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP), Youth Agricultural Incentives Program (YAIP) and Next Generation Farmer Program (NextGen) promote interest in agriculture and work to remove barriers to entry by funding projects to help the next generation of farmers get started in the industry or improve upon their current operations.

The KAFC provides access to below-market financing through participation loan programs in partnership with lenders across the state. The KAFC’s low-interest rates mitigate risk for lenders and improve cash flow for farmers, which makes financing possible for otherwise underfunded or unfunded agricultural projects. Participants in the agricultural industry can apply for loans under five different programs, which seek to provide resources and funding to a wide variety of agriculturalists. These programs include the Agricultural Infrastructure Loan Program (AILP), Agricultural Processing Loan Program (APLP), Beginning Farmer Loan Program (BFLP), Diversification through Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Loan Program (DEAL), and the Large Animal Veterinary Loan Program (VET).

Along with supporting projects and programs funded by the KAFC and the KADB, the GOAP serves as a liaison for agriculture to the Governor and represents Kentucky’s interest as state and national policy is developed. GOAP works to advocate for agriculture and share its story to those in Frankfort and all around Kentucky.

To find out more about the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy, Kentucky Agricultural Development Board and the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation, visit agpolicy.ky.gov, or their Facebook page, facebook.com/kyagpolicy. For any other inquiries, contact Marielle McElmurray, Director of Public Affairs, at (502) 782-1731 or marielle.mcelmurray@ky.gov.

To hear more from the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy, join us for our Growing Your Farm and Food Business Webinar series every Thursday, beginning October 8 through November 5. Webinars will take place from 10:00am to 11:30am Eastern/9:00am to 10:30am Central and will be available for later viewing. For more information and to register, click the link here.