Gov. Beshear Announces $4.2 Million in Tobacco Settlement Funds to Support Kentucky Farmers

345 projects to receive funding through the Kentucky Soil and Water Conservation Commission

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 7, 2023) – Gov. Andy Beshear announced today that the Kentucky Soil and Water Conservation Commission has selected 345 Kentucky farm projects to receive a total of $4,203,631 in tobacco settlement funds.

The money will help farmers promote practices that protect water quality and prevent soil erosion. Projects include alternative water sources for livestock, grassed waterways, fencing to facilitate rotational grazing and cover crops.

“When Kentucky’s farming families prosper, so does Team Kentucky,” Gov. Beshear said. “Through this funding, our farm owners are able to address issues that impact our environment and implement practices that improve productivity and increase their bottom line.”

Tobacco Master Settlement funds are appropriated each year by the General Assembly to support the program. Funds are distributed with the assistance of the 121 Soil and Water Conservation Districts across Kentucky which work with local farmers to verify and submit proposed projects for consideration. Award recipients have two years to complete the project. 

The Conservation Commission has obligated more than $180 million in state cost share funds over the past 30 years. In fiscal year 2022, reimbursements were made for the completion of 456 projects. These included more than 50 miles of fence, 1553 acres of cover crop and about 20 miles of pipeline to supply 184 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, “The Cost Share Program helps farmers and landowners throughout Kentucky be better stewards of our land. The program helps landowners address existing soil erosion, water quality and other environmental problems associated with their farming or woodland operation.”

The Soil and Water Conservation Commission is administered by the Division of Conservation, within the Energy and Environment Cabinet.

“We’re honored to work with our farming community through this and many other programs,” Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman said. “It’s inspiring to see how these projects make such a difference for our farmers.”

Allan Bryant, chair of the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts and farmer in Henry County, said: “These funds give us the opportunity to take better care of our land for the next generation. I’m happy to say that the partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Kentucky Division of Conservation and conservation districts across the state stand ready to assist and provide technical knowledge to install and make these practices work.”

For more information about the State Cost Share Program, contact the Soil and Water Conservation District in your county or click here.

###

Kentucky Soil and Water Conservation Commission, Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts to Meet February 22

Meeting will begin at 9 a.m.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 8, 2023) – The Kentucky Soil and Water Conservation Commission will hold a joint meeting with the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts on February 22 at 9 a.m. Eastern time. The meeting will be held at The Elizabeth, 306 Wapping Street, Frankfort, Ky. If you have questions, please contact Johnna McHugh at 502-782-6703.

AGENDA

1. Call to order and introductions
2. Minutes of the last meeting
3. Agency reports
4. Correspondence
5. Equipment report and new loan requests
6. Approval of vacancy petitions and incentive per diem
7. Agriculture district program
8. NACD director’s report
9. Old business
10. New business
    1. NACD spring fly-in
    2. KACD area meeting updates
    3. 2023 KACD annual meeting
    4. 2023 State Cost Share approval
    5. 2023 environmental grants
11. Adjourn

###

2022 Jim Claypool Art and Conservation Writing Contest Announced

This year’s theme: soil conservation

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 16, 2022) – The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, in cooperation with the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts and the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation, announce the 2022 Jim Claypool Art and Conservation Writing contest.

This annual contest helps students from across the commonwealth learn about natural resources and their importance.  This year, students will learn about Kentucky’s soil; what it is made of, why it is important and how it can be conserved. 

Sponsors have provided articles, suggested activities, and fun facts and trivia to help students understand the importance of soil. A tabloid, entitled “Take A Hike, Navigating the Trail,” can be used by teachers in the classroom, as well as by students at home. 

The art contest, for grades one through five, and writing contest, for grades six through 12, allow students to use the knowledge they have gained about the topic and transform it into creative artwork and written essays. Entries should focus on encouraging action toward good soil conservation practices.

Paulette Akers, director of the Kentucky Division of Conservation said, “Although soil is literally underfoot all the time, we often take it for granted. I am so glad that the Jim Claypool Art and Conservation Writing contest reminds us of the amazing things about soil and what we can do to help maintain productive soils and prevent soil erosion.”

The conservation writing and art contests began in 1944 and 1974, respectively. James B. Claypool was the first assistant director of the Division of Conservation and was hired in 1947. He became director in 1960. A Warren County native, Claypool was a graduate of Western Kentucky University and taught vocational-agriculture at Bradfordsville and Greensburg High Schools. As director of the division, he was instrumental in the expansion of conservation education in Kentucky. He died in 1974.

Schools and home school students should choose their winning entries and submit those to the local conservation district by Dec. 1. The county will then narrow the entries and send finalists to the cabinet for state judging.

Students can earn monetary prizes at the school, county, regional and state levels. County winners will receive $25 from the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation. Area winners receive $50. State first, second and third place winners receive $250, $150 and $50 respectively. Many local conservation districts and other sponsors also provide prizes. 

For more information about the contest, please visit your local conservation district office or http://bit.ly/ClaypoolArtWritingContest.

###

Kentucky Soil and Water Conservation Commission to Meet September 19

Videoconference will begin at 9 a.m.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 7, 2022) – The Kentucky Soil and Water Conservation Commission will hold a meeting Monday, September 19 at 9 a.m. Eastern time. This meeting will be held by videoconference.

Anyone who wants to attend virtually can follow this link (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84553623580?pwd=NTFSMUZCak5tVG9GcG5YcTN6eFFaUT09) or join with Zoom meeting ID 845 5362 3580 and password SWCC.

Anyone who wants to view the September 19 meeting in person can attend at 300 Sower Boulevard in Frankfort.

If you have questions, please contact Johnna McHugh at 502-782-6703.

AGENDA

1. Call to order and introductions
2. Swearing in of new member
3. Minutes of the last meeting
4. Agency reports
5. Correspondence
6. Equipment report
7. Approval of vacancy petitions and incentive per diem
8. Agriculture district program
9. Old business
10. New business
11. Adjourn

###

Kentucky Soil and Water Conservation Commission to Meet July 26

Videoconference will begin at 9 a.m.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 19, 2022) – The Kentucky Soil and Water Conservation Commission will hold a meeting July 26 at 9 a.m. Eastern time. This meeting will be held by videoconference.

Anyone who wants to attend virtually can follow this link (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84553623580?pwd=NTFSMUZCak5tVG9GcG5YcTN6eFFaUT09) or join with Zoom meeting ID 845 5362 3580 and password SWCC.

The July 26 meeting will be streamed live at 300 Sower Boulevard in Frankfort, conference room 216, for those who wish to view the meeting and do not have access.

If you have questions, please contact Johnna McHugh at 502-782-6703.

AGENDA

1. Call to order and introductions
2. Minutes of the last meeting
3. Agency reports
4. Correspondence
5. Equipment report
6. Approval of vacancy petitions and incentive per diem
7. Agriculture District Program
8. Old business
9. New business
10. Adjourn

###