resources for eastern kentucky landowners

Resources for Eastern Kentucky Landowners

This page lists all the resources we have identified for landowners in Estill and Jackson County, Kentucky.

Click here for Grants & Cost-Share Programs for Landowners.

Click here for Expert & Technical Assistance and Services.

Click here for Reliable Information for Kentucky Landowners.

EQIP Grant https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/apply-for-environmental-quality-incentives-program-eqipThis grant by the USDA aims to provide assistance to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who own productive land and have agricultural operations of any size. The program provides 1-on-1 support for landowners to implement improvement methods that will improve the sustainability and productivity of their land.
Conservation District Environmental Grant by the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet https://eec.ky.gov/Natural-Resources/Conservation/Conservation%20Forms%20Library/Conservation%20District%20Environmental%20Grant%20Application_Fillable.pdfThis is a grant program that private landowners would need to work with their conservation district to obtain funding for. It helps to reduce agricultural non-point sources of pollution, addresses local environmental issues, educates local citizens, and more. The money can go towards buying trees, tire removal, and more.
Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD) https://www.kcard.info/beginning-farmer-resourcesKCARD contains a compilation of resources for agricultural producers to obtain financial support or education to better their operations. This resource is useful for exploring options if the producer is unsure of where to begin or what their goals are.
Kentucky State University Small-Scale Farm Grant Program https://www.kysu.edu/documents/college-of-agriculture-communities-the-sciences/value-added-application-031924.pdfThe Small-Scale Farm Grant Program offers three different programs for farmers who wants to improve their agricultural operations, improve the marketability of their products, and/or increase their knowledge of agriculture/farming through educational programs. This program is for small-scale farmers as defined by the USDA and can offer funding for specific improvements.
Farm Service Agency (U.S. Department of Agriculture) https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/Kentucky/programs/indexThe Farm Service Agency offers a diverse range of loan options tailored specifically to meet the unique needs of farmers, regardless of the size or scale of their operations. Whether customers run a small family farm or a large agricultural enterprise, they have customized financial solutions that are designed to support the growth and success of their customers.
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program https://southern.sare.org/state-profiles/kentucky/This loan program is specifically designed to support farmers of all sizes, with no minimum acreage requirement, making it ideal for small farms recovering from lost tobacco sales. SARE understands the unique challenges faced by these farmers, and thier flexible financial solutions are tailored to meet producers’ specific needs.
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) by the NRCS of the USDA https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-11/is-csp-right-for-me-11062023.pdfThis NRCS program offers technical and financial assistance to help agricultural and forest producers/landowners take their conservation efforts to the next level. Some benefits include increased crop productivity, decreased inputs, wildlife habitat improvement, and increased resilience to weather extremes.
Estill Conservation District Soil Quality Cost Share Program https://estill.ca.uky.edu/newsletters/estill-county-farm-scoop-julyThe Small-Scale Farm Grant Program offers three different programs for farmers who want to improve their agricultural operations, improve the marketability of their products, and/or increase their knowledge of agriculture/farming through educational programs. This program is for small-scale farmers as defined by the USDA and can offer funding for specific improvements.
Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP) https://www.timbertax.org/getstarted/costshare/programs/flep/This cost-share program offers non-industrial private forest landowners technical, financial, and educational assistance. FLEP helps to create sustainability for private forestlands that will last, and the cost-share may pay up to 75% of costs to implement a forest management plan that has been approved by a state forester.
Forest Carbon Works Conserve Program https://landowners.ncx.com/programs/3This program focuses on growing older, larger trees in private forests in the Appalachian region, with some of its main goals being to promote healthier forests, improve wildlife habitats for more sensitive species, and increase the value of the timber so it can eventually be harvested. The landowner must have a minimum of 30 acres of forestland and must be willing to work on a plan with a forester.
Family Forest Carbon Program, Appalachian Region https://landowners.ncx.com/programs/88This resource is for all private forestland owners who have a variety of goals, aspirations, and ideas for their land but don’t know where to start. The program arranges for a natural resource professional to walk the land and customize a forest stewardship plan to implement changes based on the landowner’s goals for their property.
Estill County Equipment Lease Program https://www.facebook.com/ECCDKY/posts/equipment-lease-program/419052271606554/The Estill County Conservation District offers this equipment leasing program to provide equipment for local farmers to borrow at a discounted rate. The equipment is rented out at an hourly rate and is targeted at those who reside in Estill County, although other farmers from local areas may rent the equipment at a higher rate.
Forest Stewardship Program and Landowner Services (expert resource) https://eec.ky.gov/Natural-Resources/Forestry/forest-stewardship-program-and-landowner-services/Pages/default.aspxThis resource is for all private forestland owners who can have a variety of goals, aspirations, and ideas for their land but don’t know where to start. The program arranges for a natural resource professional to walk the land and customize a forest stewardship plan to implement changes based on the landowner’s goals for their property.