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. 

   Much is said about the Kentucky Agriculture Development Fund in the county, how much is allocated, how much is estimated in return on investment, but not much is mentioned about how producer education is impacted. 

   While several producers make use of the educational opportunities offered by the Cooperative Extension Service, several more have only availed themselves of it due to the required educational component of the County Agriculture Investment Program (CAIP). In speaking with those producers willing to be interviewed, the Edmonson County Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent found that about 75% of them had never used Extension before or did not realize the extent of what Extension had to offer. 

   There has also been an increase in the use of services such as soil testing, plant diagnostics, plant ID, etc., due to the program. Approximately 25% of soil samples run through the Extension Office in Edmonson County are due to CAIP. This has brought producers an increased knowledge of proper soil fertility, more awareness of the need for scouting fields, and a better understanding of how Extension can benefit the agriculture community.

   Thanks to the Agriculture Development Fund in Kentucky, Extension educators have been able to expand their clientele base due to the required educational component of the program.