County agriculture investment program applications now available | Business
2 min readThe much anticipated Hardin County Agriculture Investment Program, or CAIP Grant, now is available. Applications can be picked up and returned from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. from Jan. 11 to 31 at the Hardin County Extension Service at 111 Opportunity Way in Elizabethtown.
Those approved will be notified by Feb. 15, and will have until Aug. 15 to complete their projects. Absolutely no applications will be accepted after 4:30 p.m. Jan. 31, no exceptions.
The County Agricultural Investment Program offers eleven investment areas that provide Kentucky agricultural producers cost-share assistance on practices that increase net farm income and opportunities to try new/innovative technologies or systems that improve farm efficiency and productivity.
This program is a 50/50 cost share, meaning applicants pay all expenses up front, and will be reimbursed 50 percent of documented, eligible expenses, up to $5,000. The investments areas are described below.
Agriculture Diversification.Includes commercial horticulture production, commercial aquaculture production, timber production and utilization and marketing.
Technology and Leadership Development. Includes precision agriculture, animal data management, farm safety, computer hardware, record management software and leadership development.
Large Animal. Includes beef and dairy genetics, handling facilities, milk production, education, equine genetics and facilities and equipment.
Small Animal. Includes sheep and goat genetics, facilities, milk production, swine genetics, facilities and equipment, bee production and rabbit production.
Farm Infrastructure. Includes on farm storage facilities, greenhouse construction and renovation, livestock, equine and poultry facilities and on farm dead animal disposal.
Fencing and On Farm Water. Includes fencing, both boundary and cross fencing and on farm water systems for livestock or irrigation.
Forage and Grain Improvement. includes forage and pasture seeding, lime and commodity handling and forage equipment.
Innovative Ag Systems.Includes fenceline feeders, gravel paver grids, solar powered watering systems, tire waterers and water harvesting.
On Farm Energy. Includes energy upgrades, energy efficient building components and renewable energy projects, professional fees and training, biomass energy crop production and equipment and infrastructure for biomass energy production.
Poultry and Other Fowl. Includes breeding stock, waste handling equipment, facilities and nutrient management plans.
Value Added. Includes value added tools and facilities, agrotourism development, certified kitchen development and renovation, marketing and promotion, and food safety.
If you have questions regarding further details of the 2020-21 CAIP Program in Hardin County, visit or call the Hardin County Extension Service at 270-765-4121. Many questions may be answered by looking at the application packet first, so please review this before calling with additional questions.
Matt Adams is a county extension agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources.
