The following Agriculture and Natural Resources article printed in the Spring 2017 edition of the quarterly Oldham County Extension newsletter.
Resources for Beginning and Experienced Farmers
Winter is a time when many farmers make business decisions as well as planting decisions – sometimes that means a call to the extension office. An extension agriculture agent’s main job is to give advice on production practices that have been proven through repeated research trials. Our goal is to give farmers the best chance for success no matter what agriculture enterprise they are engaged in.
All agriculture agents have areas of farming expertise we want to share. Plus, we have access to specialists at University of Kentucky and Kentucky State University to help with questions we cannot answer. It may surprise you that many questions directed to ag agents are not about production practices at all. And often there are other agencies best suited to answer those questions. Below are some of the most common.
Q: How do I get a farm tax I.D. number and/or a farm sales tax exemption?
A: Kentucky Department of Revenue: 502-564-5170 or revenue.ky.gov
Q: Where can I find federal tax information for farms?
A: Internal Revenue Service Farm Tax Guide: www.irs.gov/publications/p225/index.html
Q: How do I get/find out if I already have a farm serial number (FSN)?
A: Farm Service Agency: 502-845-2820 or find your county office: offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator
Q: Where can I find technical advice on pond construction/repair, sinkholes, or other conservation practices?
A: Contact the following conservation agencies.
- Natural Resources Conservation Service: 502-633-3640, ext. 3 or www.nrcs.usda.gov
- Oldham County Conservation District: 502-222-5123
Q: Where can I find information on EQIP, WHIP, and other conservation cost-share programs?
A: Contact the following conservation agencies.
- Natural Resources Conservation Service: 502-633-3640, ext. 3 or www.nrcs.usda.gov
- Oldham County Conservation District: 502-222-5123
Q: Is there an agency that provides low-cost tree seedlings for residents?
A: Kentucky Division of Forestry: 502-564-4496 or forestry.ky.gov
Q: Is there an agency that gives away trees on Earth day or Arbor Day?
A: Sometimes, Oldham County Conservation District: 502-222-5123
Q: Who can evaluate a timber stand for desired species, management, and/or harvest?
A: Kentucky Division of Forestry: 502-564-4496 or forestry.ky.gov
Q: Where can I find trapping and hunting season information?
A: Kentucky Fish and Wildlife: 800-858-1549 or fw.ky.gov
Q: Are there trappers who will trap nuisance wildlife for me?
A: There are several entities that offer this service.
- Kentucky Fish and Wildlife: 800-858-1549 or fw.ky.gov
- Local Pest Control businesses
Q: Is there a tire amnesty/recycling program in my county?
A: Solid Waste & Recycling: 502-565-1007 or www.oldhamcounty.net
Q: Where can I find a list of farmers markets, CSA’s, and Kentucky Proud products?
A: Kentucky Department of Agriculture: www.kyagr.com and click ‘Promotional Programs’
Q: Where can I find information on product-specific regulations for farmers markets?
A: Kentucky Department of Agriculture: www.kyagr.com/marketing/farmers-market.html and local farmers market guidelines.
Q: Is my property zoned for agriculture use?
A: Property Valuation Administration: 502-222-9320 or oldhampva.com
Q: How do I apply for CAIP cost-share programs?
A: Contact your county extension office. Each county has a council that decides when applications for cost-share will be taken and awarded. Oldham County’s application period has not yet been set. General information on CAIP and other KY Ag Development Fund cost-share is available at agpolicy.ky.gov.
Q: I’ve heard there are grants for…?
A: There are several agencies that may offer cost-share or grant funding related to agriculture.
- CAIP cost-share and KADF funding: See previous question
- Kentucky Department of Agriculture: Search for grants at www.kyagr.com
- KSU Small Scale Farm Grant: kysu.edu/academics/cafsss/research-extension/small-scale-farm-grant-program
- UK Center for Crop Diversification: Go to www.uky.edu/Ag/CCD/intro.html#misc, and click the link for ‘Producer Grants.’
Q: Are there agencies that provide low-interest farm loans?
A: There are several entities that may provide low-interest farm loans
- Farm Service Agency: 502-845-2820 or www.fsa.usda.gov
- Kentucky Ag Finance Corporation: agpolicy.ky.gov
- Check Local Banks and Farm Lenders
Q: How can I find county ordinances relating to chickens, livestock, leash laws, etc.?
A: Oldham County Fiscal Court: 502-222-9357 or www.oldhamcounty.net
And sometimes, there are questions we just can’t help with. A guy called here one time asking to reserve a tee time and seemed a little confused that I couldn’t help. As it turns out, “Oldham County Cooperative Extension” is listed in the phone book right above “Oldham County Country Club.”
Written by Traci Missun, Oldham County Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent. Edited by Lauren State, Oldham County Extension Staff Assistant.
Oldham County Cooperative Extension Blog 
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Thank you, James. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed reading this blog post on farming resources. Let us know if you would like more information on other agricultural topics!
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