Kentucky's Farmer of the Year Hosts Press Event on Shelby County Farm
Gov. Steve Beshear announced today that over $2 million in stimulus funds will be available to Kentucky agriculture. The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is providing funds to Kentucky for on-farm energy conservation, renewable energy production and regional renewable fuel projects.
"It has become increasingly clear how farming and energy -- two keystones of Kentucky industry and its future -- can have a mutually beneficial relationship," said Gov. Beshear. "With the help of the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund, we are positioning agriculture to be a leader in the development of alternative energy sources."
Gov. Beshear announced that, as a result of the partnership between the Energy and Environment Cabinet and the Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy, two energy-related programs will be implemented, using these federal stimulus funds.
"Research is underway that will help us understand how we can better take advantage of the tremendous agricultural assets we have in Kentucky," said Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Len Peters. "Those assets will be a major component in our long-term energy strategy to develop renewable energy resources to address Kentucky's growing demand for inexpensive but reliable fuel sources."
The two programs unveiled will provide a two-pronged approach to Kentucky's energy-agriculture partnership. A portion of these funds will provide a variety of opportunities for Kentucky farm families to increase farm energy efficiency and renewable fuel production. This aspect of the funding will work in tandem with the "On-farm Energy Efficiency and Production" investment area of the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund's County Agricultural Investment Program.
The remaining portion is for the Multi-county Collaborative Agricultural Energy Initiatives Program. Funding will be used to compliment tobacco settlement funds for grants to multi-county collaborations that will enhance and advance renewable energy production at the farm level. Funding will be made available for demonstration projects in the areas of energy efficiency and renewable energy production.
"I appreciate the opportunity to work with the Energy & Environment Cabinet to promote energy efficiency and production on farms throughout the Commonwealth," said Roger Thomas, executive director of the Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy. "Our farmers will benefit greatly from these stimulus funds, as part of Kentucky's State Energy Program award."
Today's announcement took place on Langley Farm in Shelby County. The farm is owned and operated by Doug Langley and his family. During today's announcement, Gov. Beshear acknowledged the accomplishments of the Langley, as Kentucky's 2009 Farmer of the Year. In October, Langley will compete in the Southeastern Farmer of the Year competition at the Sunbelt Expo in Moultrie, GA.