American Farmland Trust: State Programs - Kentucky

AFT's projects in Kentucky enlist farmers, environmentalists, urbanites and rural dwellers—everyone who must work together if agriculture is to have a chance.

Rural Heritage Initiative Focuses on Farming

AFT’s Southeast Director Gerry Cohn joined a multidisciplinary resource team brought together by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in central Kentucky to explore opportunities for preserving family farms and historic farm structures through new crops, marketing approaches, and economic development strategies based on the historic and cultural resources of the region. more

Kentucky Plans for the Future of Evolving Agricultural Landscapes

The state of Kentucky has taken a proactive approach to the changes in the tobacco economy, establishing programs to help landowners plan for the future of an evolving agricultural landscape. The Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy (GOAP) has created near and long term plans for the future of agriculture in the state. In addition, they have provided guidelines and resources for tobacco dependent counties to identify priorities for the future viability of local farms through Agricultural Development Councils. Fayette County has used part of these funds to match local and federal funds for the Purchase of Development Rights. GOAP has also created a range of grant, loan and financing programs to help new farmers enter the profession and to help existing farms develop new enterprises, with a particular emphasis on direct marketing, agritourism, and opportunities to add value to the products of neighboring farms.

AFt's Kentucky Landowners Guide

AFT's Kentucky Landowners' Guide to Conservation and Profitability. The guide, published with the assistance of local partners and supporters, provides an overview of the alternatives available to landowners who want to pursue conservation options, and outlines financial incentives and technical assistance for land protection and improved productivity.

Lexington-Fayette County Receives James C. Howland Award

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG), was a gold winner of the James C. Howland Award for Municipal Enrichment for their purchase of development rights (PDR) program—the first agricultural conservation easement program by a local government in Kentucky. AFT provides technical support for this highly successful and evolveing program.

PDR Workshops Educate Kentucky Counties

In Shelby County, AFT recently completed three workshops about the benefits of creating a local-level PDR program. Logan County, located in rural Southern Kentucky, is not yet experiencing the growth pressures seen in the Bluegrass region, but county leaders are planning for changes on the horizon. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and RC&D representatives are convening the agricultural community with AFT's assistance to discuss farmland protection options.