In April 2000, the Kentucky General Assembly allocated agriculture 50% of Kentucky’s Master Settlement Agreement in House Bill 611. The Cooperative Extension Service was named administrator of the County Agriculture Development Councils to help facilitate the development of a short and long-term plans for agriculture, cultivate ideas for projects, prioritize projects, and distribute the funds in a responsible manner.

The Cooperative Extension Service has worked closely with the County Agriculture Development Council to develop opportunities to enhance the profitability of farming enterprises and promote agriculture diversification. Extension facilitates and aids groups that administer the cost-share programs and conducts educational training for producers participating in these model programs. Through Cooperative Extension and the Agriculture Development Council efforts, cost share funds totaling over $6 million have been allocated to enhance farm profitability over two decades in Warren County.

Although the initial savings created by cost share can significantly enhance a producer’s bottom line, adding new and improved practices to a farm operation yields long-term results that add to overall farm profitability. Visits and surveys with producers who have participated in the different programs indicate that those who have improved facilities have better herd health, lower labor costs, better genetics, increased weaning weights, decreased hay losses, improved dairy facilities, increased crop yields due to tiling, etc., improved infrastructure such as fencing and feed storage. They have all been able to show an economic gain in their operation.

This financial support of the agricultural community has helped producers create or sustain farming enterprises. The cost-share funds have created an avenue for brainstorming and planning for agriculture’s future in each community. The agriculture development funds have already made long-lasting impacts on agriculture in our Kentucky communities.