Created in 2000, the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board serves to distribute funds from the Master Settlement Agreement for the general purpose of agricultural development across the Commonwealth (www.agpolicy.ky.gov). Each county in Kentucky, has a County Agricultural Development Board that makes decisions on how best to invest their allotted funds within their communities by abiding by the philosophy of the Board to, “invest funds in innovative proposals that increase net farm income and effect tobacco farmers, tobacco-impacted communities, and agriculture across the state by stimulating markets for Kentucky agricultural products, finding new ways to add value to Kentucky agricultural products, and exploring new opportunities for Kentucky farms.”

The Logan County Agricultural Development Board has been very active in the pursuit of improving the lives of our producers since the very beginning. In 2017, the Youth Agriculture Incentive Program was first introduced at the state level as an investment opportunity for counties to participate in. Logan County, under the advisement of the Logan County Extension Agent for Agriculture Education, was one of the first to commit county funds to the youth program that encourages young producers to start production agriculture enterprises as early as nine years old with the hope that through educated decisions and guidance, they will be able to continue their investment in agriculture throughout their future endeavors.  

Over the last three years, the Logan County Agricultural Development Board has invested $119,232.67 towards 92 Logan County Youth and their projects, through the Youth Agriculture Incentive Program. Projects range from agriculture diversification, animal production, forage and grain improvement, showmanship, country ham projects, and the supervised agriculture experience of an FFA member’s chose. 

“I want to be a farmer when I grow up.  With the help of the YAIP program, I have been able to start my farming operation and grow it a lot earlier and faster than I had planned.   At 11 years old, I have 18 momma cows and I hope to continue to grow every year.  I plan to keep all viable replacement heifers from my herd and with the steer sales, reinvest in more breeding females for my herd.” (Quote from 11 year old YAIP participant)

“With my YAIP funds, I have been able to buy bred cows and heifers and now have expanded my herd from one cow to 13 cows with genetics that I want for my herd not just what I could afford.  The last two years I have had a 100% calf crop and have kept the heifers and sold the steer calves.  Owning my own cows has also allow me to learn more about beef production, recordkeeping and even filing taxes!  I am saving the money to reinvest in my herd and to go toward furthering my education.” (Quote from 15 year old YAIP participant)

By investing in the youth directly involved in production agriculture, the Logan County Agricultural Development Board has invested in the future of Agriculture and has great hopes for a brighter tomorrow.