Ohio County Youth Cost Share

Ohio County youth have benefited from the Phase I Cost Share Program – Youth Ag Incentive Program program over the last 2 years and youth producers have invested in various projects.  Ohio County YAIP program received $10,000 each year for investment in youth agriculture projects.  This allowed funding for 16 applicants over a two-year period.  The maximum funding level is $1,000 per youth producer and the cost share was distributed at a 50% cost share ratio.  In 2018 and 2019, YAIP participants invested $29,104 dollars in livestock purchases, breeding stock, farm infrastructure, fencing, show equipment and other agriculture related items.   In 2018 and 2019, sixteen youth were awarded, a total of $14,552, ($909/applicant average) in YAIP cost share funds. The YAIP program encourages the advancement and growth of youth in the field of agriculture.   All sixteen participants  have completed a 4-H or FFA livestock project exhibiting their animals at District and State Fair livestock shows, competed at State 4-H Skill-A-Thon competitions, Livestock Judging competitions, participated in continuing education programs, and completed 4-H/FFA project books.  Although most of the applicants were livestock exhibitors, many are expanding their agriculture operations to incorporate breeding programs, facility improvement, livestock handling facilities, and purchase other necessary agriculture equipment for their day to day operations.   This is a tremendous investment in Kentucky’s future to encourage investments and business decisions in agriculture at an early age while providing guidance through researched based education.