The Todd County Conservation District is administering Todd County’s sixth offering of the Phase I County Agricultural Improvement Program (CAIP) this program year.  The program was approved for $230,000 in Todd County Ag. Development funds, with a maximum cost-share reimbursement limit of $3,500 per farm. The actual reimbursement cap will be a pro-rated number, based upon the number of people who complete projects and the amount of cost-share eligible money they spend.  CAIP signup was held in January-February 2019 and all purchases will have to be completed by July 31, 2019.

My direct involvement with the CAIP program has included working with the Todd County Conservation District in developing their funding proposal, and assisting them with understanding and interpreting the state rules and guidelines, etc.  I also helped the Conservation District develop the general program guidelines (deadlines, reimbursement procedures, etc.) and handout materials for some of the cost-share investment areas.

I provided additional direct support for the CAIP program by conducting orientation for all CAIP applicants (124 total applicants, of which 122 were approved for funding).  Ninety-one producers attended one of two orientation sessions, with the remaining 33 applicants being oriented individually via a computer presentation that I created.  By viewing the computer presentation, they were able to learn about the CAIP program at their own pace, at a time that was convenient to them.  The purpose of the orientation was to make sure that every participant knows and understands the state and local rules of the CAIP program.  They learn what qualifies for cost-share funding, when it can be purchased, how it can be paid for, and what they must do to qualify for reimbursement under the program.  In Todd County, we have found that our orientation process eliminates most farmer misunderstandings; and thus greatly increases the odds of participants receiving the reimbursement that they expect.

I conducted several educational programs which CAIP participants used to meet their CAIP program educational requirement, including the Grain Market Outlook and KY-TN Grain Conference.  Two other educational programs were specially timed to occur soon after CAIP signup ended, so that applicants would have their educational requirement fresh on their minds.  Fifty-one farmers attended the winter beef feeding program presented by UK specialist Kevin Laurent (many attendees were CAIP applicants).  Thirty-four producers attended a CAIP-related presentation by the Kentucky State Police on farm truck regulations and rules for moving farm equipment on public roads.  I conducted BQCA (Beef Quality and Care Assurance) training for 24 producers who were applying for CAIP funds under the Large Animal investment area.  

The number of farmers who actually complete CAIP projects will not be known until the paperwork deadline in late summer.  But based on past experience, I would anticipate approximately 110 farmers will receive CAIP reimbursement this year.  Due to the cost-share pro-rating system used in Todd County; it is anticipated that all of the cost-share funds received for the CAIP program will be disbursed to farmers.