SHELBY COUNTY, Ky. — Farming is in Amanda Gajdzik’s roots.

“My family has always conventionally farmed corn, soybeans, beef cattle and then my husband and I when we started farming developed a bit of a niche market with the apples and peaches,” Gajdzik, owner of Mulberry Orchard, said.  

“We have over 20 Kentucky proud farms that sell within our operation as well,” Gajdzik said. “So we have beef that’s ours, but we sell pork, chicken and lamb that’s all raised in Shelby County, local eggs, honey, elderberry syrup, cheeses, lotions, pottery, coffee. All sorts of great Kentucky proud products.”

The Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation will approve more than $2 million in loans, including nine Beginning Farmer Loans (BFLP). BFLP assists individuals with some farming experience who desire to develop, expand or buy into a farming operation.

It becomes a significant change for those looking to get started in the industry.

“So it gives them opportunities that they may not have had to be able to jump into agriculture,” Gajdzik said. “A Lot of the programs have financial planning aspects, things like that so they really walk through the numbers and make sure they are setting you up for success.”

Seven counties, including Shelby, were selected as part of the Beginning Farmer Loan Program.

With nearly 50,000 visitors each year, Mulberry Orchard has been exposing children and families to agriculture with hopes they inspire others to do the same.

“To have those conversations we do a tremendous amount of school tours in the fall too,” Gajdzik said. “So we’ll have several thousand elementary kids out and get to teach them about agriculture and expose them to that as well.”

Along with Shelby County, farms in Barren, Bourbon, Graves, Hardin, McLean and Webster will receive loans.