Daily Independent (Ashland, KY)

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August 12, 2011

Farm Bureau receives state funds

Lawrence farmers get help with improvement projects

Katie Brandenburg The Independent

LOUISA — Farmers in Lawrence County have already begun receiving funding to help them with projects ranging from hay sheds and water improvements to the purchase of livestock.

Sherry Compton of the Lawrence County Farm Bureau said the farm bureau has already distributed about $40,000 out of the $186,774 it received from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund. Gov. Steve Beshear visited Louisa Tuesday to present the farm bureau with a check for the money.

Over the last decade, Lawrence County has been allotted more than $470,000 from the KADF, according to a press release from the governor’s office

The money was provided through a program called the County Agricultural Investment Program. While Lawrence County has received money from the program for several years, Compton said the money this year was allowed to be used for a more diverse range of projects than in the past, when it was reserved for more specific purposes.

Those projects can include buying farming equipment, running water to different parts of a farm, building fences and purchasing bulls to other projects, she said.

About 50 farmers applied for help through the program, and about 30 will receive aid. They can receive a maximum award of $5,000. Farmers must spend their own money to make improvements and then will be reimbursed for part of the cost of a project, Compton said.

“I just wish that we had enough money for everyone,” she said.

Compton said she meets with farmers who are struggling on a fixed income in a bad economy and wouldn’t be able to make improvements to their farms or purchase needed equipment without help from the program.

“When you see someone like that, it’s just good to know that you can help,” she said.

Investment in farming is important for everyone in the state, she said.

“If you didn’t have farmers, you wouldn’t be sitting at the table eating every night,” Compton said.

Two other grants were awarded to Lawrence County organizations on Tuesday. The Lowmansville and Cherryville Volunteer Fire Departments both received Homeland Security grants, according to a  press release from the governor’s office.

 Lowmansville received $28,500 for the purchase of breathing apparatuses and Cherryville received $28,000 for turnout gear, according to the press release.

KATIE BRANDENBURG can be reached at kbrandenburg@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.

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