Bracken County has greatly benefitted from the Phase I Cost Share Programs over the last 16 years.Bracken County, due to our tobacco dependency, has received higher payments which producers have invested in various programs at the maximum level for the past 16 year.  With a reduction in overall funds the state received, Bracken County faced a drastic scenario that would affect the number of producers that could receive funds unless changes were made. 

The Bracken County Agriculture Development Council considered options for the 2017-2018 funding cycle.  The council met with the Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, the 4-H / Youth Development Agent, and the High School Ag Education / FFA Advisor.  This group shared a request for both the new programs for beginning farmers, and the youth incentive program.  After careful consideration and the desire to fund a similar number of applicants as last year, the following changes were adopted.

The maximum funding level was reduced from $5,000 per producer to $3,000 and the cost share was returned to 50: 50.  This allowed funding for 60 applicants which is very close to the number funding in the previous year.  Also, $20,000 was approved for the Beginning Farmer Program to help new or beginning farmers that often could not compete in the regular C.A.I.P. programing.Finally, $20,000 was approved for the Youth Ag Incentive program.

Through the Youth Ag. Incentive Program, 22 youth in Bracken County were awarded $909.00 in cost share funds. Bracken County is the only county in the Buffalo Trace Area to offer this type of program to the youth to encourage their advancement and growth in the field of agriculture. Although most of the applicants were livestock exhibitors some are not, they are expanding their operations to incorporate breeding programs, better their facilities, and purchase necessary equipment. 

These major changes resulted in the first reduction in the maximum cost share after 16 years for the C.A.I.P. or model programs.  It was also the first funding for beginning farmer or youth cost share programs.This is a tremendous investment in our future to encourage investments and business decisions in agriculture at an early age while providing guidance through education.