FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear and Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman announced in a news release Monday that the Kentucky Soil and Water Conservation Commission has selected 387 Kentucky farm projects in 85 counties to receive $4,301,038 in tobacco settlement funds.
According to the release, the money will be used to “promote practices that protect water quality and prevent soil erosion.” Some projects related to those practices include alternative water sources for livestock, grassed waterways, fencing to facilitate rotational grazing and cover crops.
“Kentucky’s farming families are the grass roots of our economy,” Gov. Beshear said in the release. “Through this program we are supporting their efforts to build a better Kentucky through production practices that not only protect the environment, but improve their bottom line.”
The Division of Conservation administers the Soil and Water Conservation Commission within the Kentucky Department for Natural Resources. The General Assembly appropriates the Tobacco Master Settlement funds each year to support the program. There are 121 Soil and Water Conservation Districts across Kentucky and all of them help distribute the funds. The districts then work with local farmers to both verify and submit the proposed projects for consideration. Those who receive the award have two years to complete their projects.
The Conservation Commission has obligated more than $175 million in state cost share funding in the past 28 years. In 2021, it made reimbursements for the completion of 540 projects. These included 3,856 acres of cover crop, over 55 miles of fencing, 764,000 square feet of grassed waterway and 28 miles of pipeline to supply 240 waterers.
The most recent list of applications approved by county can be seen here.
Soil and Water Conservation Commission chair Danny Shipley, a farmer in Allen County, said in the release that the program benefits Kentucky farmers and the commonwealth.
“Many farmers would be unable to improve their farms without these funds,” Shipley said. “These dollars help conserve soils and improve water quality, but they also turnover in the economy and improve our local communities.”
“We’re honored to be able to support our farmers through this and many other programs,” Secretary Goodman said in the release. “By working together, we’re improving soil and water quality and helping our farmers improve productivity in the process.”
To find out more about the State Cost Share Program, contact the Soil and Water Conservation District in your county or click here for more information.