The passage of House Bill 611 and subsequent development of the Governor’s Office of Agriculture Policy, now the Kentucky Office of Agriculture Policy, has greatly enhanced the ability of Kentucky producers to begin new enterprises and/or expand existing ones. Extension educators have been able expand on their clientele base due to the required educational component of the program.  
 Since the beginning of the program, Edmonson County has received over $2.1 million in county allocated funds and more than $200,000 from the Agricultural Infrastructure Loan Program.  
 Investments in livestock genetics, livestock handling facilities, forage improvement & utilization, fallen animal disposal, hay and commodity storage facilities, pilot farm management, technology, horticulture and other areas of agriculture diversification, along with some regional projects, have netted an estimated return on investment of nearly $17 million.  
 Now, many more producers have a better understanding of the need for good soil fertility, solid, proven livestock genetics, high quality livestock feeds, proper handling of animals, and the potential for growth into new enterprises and new markets.