FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 18, 2002
Contact: Kara Keeton, Communications Director
Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
404 Ann Street, Frankfort
(502) 564-4627

State Agricultural Development Board Delivers $74,878.25 to the Pulaski County Cattle Handling Program

The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Governor Paul Patton, delivered a check in the amount of $74,878.25 in support of the Cattle Handling Program in Pulaski County. Local program organizers submitted a proposal for additional funds for the Cattle Handling Program to the Pulaski County Council to help area farmers improve net farm income through improved cattle corrals and handling facilities. The Cattle Handling Program encourages science-based decisions on cattle management, handling and health programs on the farm. In addition the program will minimize animal and human injury and stress during treatment and handling operations.

Kentucky has made a historic effort to diversify away from tobacco production while revitalizing the farm economy by investing 50% of Kentucky's Master Settlement Agreement into the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund. To date Kentucky has invested over $98 million to an array of county, regional, and state projects designed to increase net farm income and create sustainable new farm-based business enterprises. Pulaski County Cattle Handling Program represents just one of the over 800 projects that have been funded through Agricultural Development Fund, since the inception of the program in January 2001.

For more information regarding this project, contact Keenan Turner at the Pulaski County Cooperative Extension Office or the Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy at (502) 564-4627.

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