A  unique piece of legislation known as House Bill 611 became law during the 2000 General Assembly, this law would come to have a profound impact on agriculture across the state, specifically Daviess County. The purpose was to distribute 50 percent of the state monies received from the Master Settlement Agreement for the general purpose of agricultural development in the Commonwealth.  The goal for these funds was to financially support innovative proposals that increase net farm income and agriculture across the state by stimulating markets for Kentucky farmers who previously relied on tobacco income.   It was intended to encourage producers to find new ways to add value to Kentucky agricultural products and explore new opportunities for Kentucky farms.  Daviess County Cooperative Extension Service through leadership of the ANR agent has been a local and state leader throughout this entire process.  Early on, the newly created Daviess County Agricultural Development Council served as the local clearing house for ideas and applications requesting funds before final approval of the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board.  The council, comprised of local delegates representing the Soil Conservation District, Farm Service Agency, Cooperative Extension, early career farmers and a local agri-business review funding request applications and determine if the proposed project is a priority in the development of agriculture in Daviess County as identified in the county comprehensive plan.  The council has received many unique, innovative funding requests over the past 24 years.  Their leadership has supported seventy one “outside the box” funding requests with $1,414,126.87.  Most of these projects were successful in providing startup money necessary for the ongoing success of farming operation, agricultural business or to extend the educational outreach capability of Cooperative Extension programs.  Sixty seven funding requests seeking funds to facilitate producers cost reimbursement programs have been funded with $4,103,867.30 of the Daviess County funding allocation.  These moneys have been used to fund more than 1,000 individual farm projects which were used to off-set risk in a new agricultural production enterprise, improve and upgrade on-farm infrastructure and facilities, or to increase net farm income and resources through soil conservation practices.  An often unrecognized contribution of these funds has been the inherent growth in agricultural leaders.  More than 50 local farmers and agri-business representatives have served one or two terms on the Daviess  County agricultural development council.  For many, this opportunity was their first to serve in a leadership role beyond their personal business or church.  All of these individuals gain a value in the responsibility of leaving the farm to contribute to their community, and most have gone on to serve on other local or state organization boards, including the County Extension Council.