FUNDS AVAILABLE :: 2012 KADF FARMERS’ MARKET INFRASTRUCTURE COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM
DEADLINE: June 29, 2012
This program provides an opportunity for local farmers’ markets to access state Agricultural Development Funds for the construction of permanent facilities for their markets or the expansion of existing markets. The total amount of state funds available is $250,000 with a maximum individual award of $25,000 in state funds. The program is competitive and all applications will be scored on criteria detailed in the application and ranked accordingly to determine applications receiving funding.
Application and guidelines are available at agpolicy.ky.gov. For more information about the program, contact your county’s project analyst at (502) 564-4627.
FUNDS AVAILABLE :: EEC TVA GRANTS AVAILABLE
DEADLINE: March 19, 2012
The Kentucky Energy & Environment Cabinet (EEC) has announced that it is seeking proposals from qualified entities to receive funding for projects that fall under the 2011 settlement agreement between the EPA and the TVA. As part of the settlement, Kentucky will receive $11.2 million over five years to implement environmental mitigation projects.
The cabinet is seeking proposals involving renewable energy and energy efficient applications, including agricultural and forestry sector use and production of renewable energy and carbon sequestration. Other eligible projects can be found in the Request for Proposals, along with a list of eligible applicants.
The Request for Proposal can be found at http://energy.ky.gov; questions regarding the RFP can be directed to Paul Brooks at paul.brook@ky.gov until Feb. 23, at 4:30 p.m. EST. The original application and three copies must be submitted by mail to Donna Jones, Energy and Environment Cabinet, 500 Mero Street, 12th Floor Capital Plaza Tower, Frankfort, Ky. 40601.
FUNDS AVAILABLE :: 2012 IT’S ALL ABOUT THE FRUIT AND VEGGIES!
DEADLINE: Feb. 15, 2012
Jamba Juice and the National Gardening Association are providing 20 schools with $500 gardening packages to support school gardens and nutrition education. Recipients will be selected based on plans to promote nutrition education, ideas for incorporating nutrition education, ideas for incorporating fruit and vegetable activities into the curriculum and ability to sustain the program over multiple years. Winners will be announced April 23. Rules and application are available on-line at http://www.kidsgardening.org/grants/its-all-about-fruit-and-veggies.
FUNDS AVAILABLE :: MARKET ACCESS PROGRAM - 2012
DEADLINE: open until all funds expended
Small agricultural companies in Kentucky and other southern states may apply for funding from the 2012 Market Access Program (MAP) Branded to get help for entering export markets. Under the MAP Branded program, businesses seeking to enter export markets may be reimbursed up to 50 percent for promotional and international marketing costs.
A pre-qualification form may be downloaded on the SUSTA website at www.susta.org. For more information on MAP Branded, contact Kelly Ludwig or Jonathan Van Balen in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture's marketing office at (502) 564-4983.
FUNDS AVAILABLE :: RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM
DEADLINE: March 30, 2012
The USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) offers funds to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption. Visit AGFP: Growing Kentucky Agriculture (http://www.growkentuckyag.com/programs/reap.html) for basic information about the program, along with some first steps for how to start an application.
Details of the program are available on-line at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/IA_bc_energy_reap.html.
FUNDS AVAILABLE :: RURAL MICROENTREPRENEUR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
DEADLINE: on-going, awards made each fiscal quarter
Funds are available to Microenterprise Development Organizations for loans (min. $50,000; max. $500,000) and technical assistance grants (max. $40,000). The purpose of RMAP is to support the development and ongoing success of rural microentrepreneurs and microenterprises (businesses generally with ten employees or fewer and in need of financing in the amount of $50,000 or less).
Applications and forms are available at the state Rural Development Office, 771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, Lexington, Ky. 40503. For more information call (859) 224-7300 [TDD (859) 224-7422].
JOB OPPORTUNITY :: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE KENTUCKY SHEEP & GOAT DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
DEADLINE: March 1, 2012
The Kentucky Sheep & Goat Development Office is seeking an outgoing, self motivated, enthusiastic individual to advance small ruminant production in the bluegrass state. Successful candidate should possess innovative thinking and be prepared for flexible, part-time work hours from home, with some travel required. Interested candidates may submit a Letter of Intent and a standard resume by March 1 to Kathy Meyer, 290 Steele Ford Road, Paris, KY 40361 or tonym243@bellsouth.net.
NOMINATIONS :: NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR FOREST SYSTEM LAND MANAGEMENT
DEADLINE: Feb. 21, 2012
USDA has announced that nominations are being taken for the newly-formed advisory committee of 21 members that will guide better management of our national forests and grasslands. The National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the Forest System Land Management Planning Rule will provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture and the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service on issues such as planning rule directives for implementation, best practices, effective monitoring practices and ongoing collaboration efforts.
It will meet three to four times annually, or as often as necessary to complete its work. Members of the committee do not receive compensation, but may be reimbursed for travel expenses. Additional details on the committee and the application form are available at the U.S Forest Service website, or by calling (202) 205-0830.
SCHOLARSHIPS :: BTGCA STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
DEADLINE: April 1, 2012 (postmark)
The Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative Association is offering four $1,000 scholarships to students for the 2012-2013 school year. Applicants with a tobacco farming background will receive preference. Awards will be announced April 25. Rules and application are available on-line at www.burleytobacco.com or by calling the BTGCA office at (859) 252-3561.
SCHOLARSHIPS :: KYCGA STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
DEADLINE: March 15, 2012
For the second year the Kentucky Corn Growers Association is offering two $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors entering college and one $2,000 scholarship to a current college student pursing degrees in an agriculture-related field. Awards will be announced April 15. Rules and application (pdf) are available on-line at http://www.kycorn.org/documents/scholarship.pdf.
SURVEY :: BEGINNING FARMERS IN KENTUCKY
Calling all beginning and aspiring farmers and ranchers! Researchers at the University of Kentucky, in partnership with Cooperative Extension and Community Farm Alliance, invite you to participate in an important statewide survey of beginning farmers in Kentucky. Findings from this survey will help program and policy developers in university, community, and government organizations better serve your unique needs. Participants in the survey may register to win one of four $50 gift cards to Southern States. Who should participate? Anyone with 10 years of less experience owning or operating a farm, as well as anyone who aspires to someday have their own farming operation (regardless of type, size, or location). For more information about the survey, visit http://uky.ag/lcfa/BF-Survey.
To take the survey, visit https://uky.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_b1oDxOcUpMYWKZS&Referrer=CFA.
SURVEY :: KENTUCKY EQUINE SURVEY, CONTACTS
DEADLINE: FEB. 17, 2012
Equine owners and equine operation owners are needed to provide contact information to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) for the Kentucky Equine Survey. By providing NASS with an extensive list of horse owners and facility operators from around the Commonwealth, the study results will be more accurate and comprehensive for all counties and regions.
For more information about the survey or to submit your name to NASS for the survey, visit: http://www.kentuckyhorse.org/KES-names/.