The Kentucky Sheep and Goat Check-Off Program began in 2010 and collects $.50 for every $100 worth of sheep and goats sold in the Commonwealth. According to Kentucky law, Check-Off funds must be used for the purpose of promoting the increased use and sale of sheep and goats.
Check-Off Funds are overseen by the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Council, which is a seven member board consisting of the following; 2 members appointed by Kentucky Farm Bureau, 2 members appointed by the Kentucky Goat Producers Association, 2 members appointed by the Kentucky Sheep and Wool Producers Association, and 1 member appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture. Current Kentucky Sheep and Goat Check-off Board members are as follows:
Scott Barnes – Kentucky Farm Bureau
Ray Bowman – Kentucky Farm Bureau
Shawn Harper– KGPA
Kay DeMoss – KGPA
Bill Decker – KSWPA
Richard Popham- KSWPA
Jeff Rice– Commissioner of Ag. Representative
The Kentucky Sheep and Goat Council meets on a quarterly basis. Meetings are scheduled for the first Tuesday of January, April, July and October. All loan and special project requests are reviewed at these times.
The versatility of sheep and goats will be highlighted all over Kentucky and the country. The Kentucky Sheep and Goat Checkoff worked with Farm Flavor media to create and publish an article highlighting the meat, fiber, and dairy side of small ruminants.
Your Dollars at Work!
New Farmer Recruitment Loan
The New Farmer Recruitment Program is a competitive loan program offered by the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Council and is designed to help grow Kentucky’s sheep and goat industries. The loans are $2,000 short term (1 to 2 year) loans with 0% interest. Up to two loans (one goat and one sheep) are awarded each year to eligible individuals.
Eligible individuals are:
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Graduates of the Small Ruminant Profit School or Kentucky Master Small Ruminant educational programs who are Kentucky residents at least 18 years of age and have been in sheep or goat production for less than 5 years.
Funds may be used to purchase sheep and/or goats for breeding purposes as well as livestock guardian animals.
2026 Applications are due June 1, 2026. Forms will be available April 15th.
Food Sampling Grant
Overview: The Kentucky Sheep and Goat Council will use check-off dollars to fund four $200 reimbursement grants for lamb/goat sampling in 2026. Funds may be used for the purchase of lamb/goat meat, and sampling supplies like paper products, gloves, and sanitation supplies. This program is a reimbursement grant and will not be issued until all guidelines of the grant agreement are met.
Eligibility: Funds will be made available to individual producers and local/regional sheep/goat groups within the state of Kentucky.
Funds: Maximum request $200
Timeline: Applications are accepted at any time. Applications will be reviewed at the next quarterly Checkoff Board meeting (January, April, July, October). Granted funds must be used within 90 days of approval. All unused funds must be returned.
Grant Requirements:
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Grantee agrees to follow all sampling guidelines and food handling requirements. Anyone offering a sample at a KDA registered farmers’ market must complete a sampling application and request a sample certificate from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Information for sampling can be found on the Kentucky Department of Agriculture website at www.kyagr.com, clicking Agriculture Forms, selecting Farmers’ Market under the Marketing tab, clicking on the Farmers’ Market Sampling Packet and the Kentucky Farmers’ Market Manual and Resource Guide.
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Grantee must submit a report of the event within 30 days from completion, including receipts
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Grantee will submit photos and/or video of the sampling event with the report.
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Grantee must use the Kentucky Check-Off logo on all promotional materials such as flyers, websites, social media, etc.
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Grantee may only apply for a second grant, 1) If the first event is completed and report has been reviewed by the Checkoff Board, and 2) if funds are still available.
Small Ruminant Boot Camp
Overview: The Kentucky Sheep and Goat Council will use check-off dollars for four, $1500 Small Ruminant Boot Camp grants in 2026. Funds are available to provide small ruminant production education with resources available from Checkoff in nutrition, health, quality assurance, hoof care, and parasite management. Funds are reimbursement grants and will not be issued until all guidelines of the grant agreement are met.
Eligibility: Funds will be made available to Cooperative Extension Areas within the state of Kentucky.
Funds: Maximum request is $1500
Timeline: Applications open February 1, 2026 and will close when four camps have been scheduled. Programs must be completed by December 30, 2026.
Grant Requirements:
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Grantee must provide an application and proposed budget for approval.
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Grantee must use the Kentucky Check-Off logo on all promotional materials such as flyers, websites, social media, etc.
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Post program evaluation must be administered and results shared with Checkoff Board in a final report that includes receipts before funds are released.
The Checkoff Board wants to encourage Cooperative Extension Agents for Agriculture & Natural Resources to team up and offer a Small Ruminant Boot Camp in an area. The program topics and plan are up to the discretion of the area, however the Checkoff board is willing to provide resources and help securing speakers for your event. We know that producer needs vary across the state and want you to be able to plan a program most beneficial to your clientele.
Checkoff has the following items available (contact Kelley Yates to request):
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Registrations can be taken online through the KSGDO website
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Instructor options for a variety of topics
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Program supplies like microscopes, hoof trimmers, biosecurity supplies, parasitology kits, equipment kit, record books, and trimming stands
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Handouts on a variety of topics to share with participants
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Help with ordering FAMACHA cards; each card is $25 (Please note- FAMACHA can only be taught by a certified instructor!)
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Program evaluations and results
Grant funds may be used to purchase:
1. Hoof trimming kits, including the following items: hoof trimmers (ARS 140DXR Hoof Trimmers most highly recommended) and treatment products as outlined in the Hoof Care handout, which will be provided to you upon approval of your application. (No antibiotics allowed with grant funds.)
2. Biosecurity supplies, including: plastic boots, bleach foot bath, plastic gloves, disinfectant for cleaning equipment
3. Speaker expenses including: travel, food, honorarium
4. General supplies like copies, pens, and notebooks.
Try Something Different Tonight Lamb/Goat Incentive Program
Overview: The Kentucky Sheep and Goat Council will use check-off dollars to fund four incentive programs to Kentucky restaurants who purchase local lamb and goat. Restaurants are encouraged to serve lamb in February for KY Lamb Month and serve goat in April for KY Goat Month.
The incentive is $600 to the restaurant who agrees to purchase and serve local lamb/goat in February and April. The funds will be given in two installments of $300 each. The first installment will be released when the signed contract is returned, and the second installment will be released after the restaurant reports how much lamb/goat was sold (either in poundage or in number of dishes) along with receipts. Funds can be used to purchase lamb/goat and to advertise the products on menus and/or social media.
The restaurant agrees to use the KY Sheep and Goat Checkoff logo and/or mention in the ads, as well as the producer in which the product was purchased. The Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office (the administrator of the checkoff funds) agrees to promote the restaurant and dish through our social media and online outlets.
Eligibility: Funds will be made available to Kentucky restaurants purchasing local lamb/goat products.
Funds: Maximum request $600
Timeline: Applications are accepted at any time. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt. First installment of granted funds must be used within 90 days of receipt. All unused funds must be returned. Last installment of funds will be released upon receipt of the grant report.
Grant Requirements:
-Grantee must submit a report of the lamb/goat sold within 30 days from completion promotion (this can be the amount of pounds sold, number of customers reached, and/or number of lamb and/or goat dishes sold during the promotional period.
- Grantee will provide receipts of approved items purchased (approved items are lamb and/or goat meat, print advertisements, social media advertisements, or printed items like menu inserts)
-Grantee is encouraged to submit photos and/or video of the lamb or goat promotion, as well as a copy of promotional materials such as flyers, websites, social media, etc.
Promotional Products
Coloring Book (Free Download)
wine pairings on back
goat milk nutrition on back