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
Linda Hatcher– 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.
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 educational program 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. Applications become available in April and will be due June 15th each year. Loans are awarded in July.
Food Sampling Grant
Overview: The Kentucky Sheep and Goat Council will use check-off dollars to fund three $100 reimbursement grants for lamb/goat sampling in 2024. 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 $100
Timeline: Applications are due June 15 and September 15. Applications will be reviewed at the quarterly Checkoff Board meetings in July or October. Granted funds must be used by December 30, 2024. All unused funds must be returned.
Grant Requirements:
-Grantee must submit a report of the event within 30 days from completion, including receipts
-Grantee will submit photos of the sampling event with the report.
-Grantee must use the Kentucky Check-Off logo on all promotional materials such as flyers, websites, social media, etc.
-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.