FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 6, 2011) – The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board (KADB) reminds community farmers’ markets that applications to the 2011 Farmers’ Market Infrastructure Competitive Grant Program are due postmarked no later than Friday, June 24, 2011.

This competitive grant program provides an opportunity for local farmers’ markets to access state Kentucky Agricultural Development Funds for the construction of new permanent facilities for their markets. Up to $250,000 in state funds are available for this program with a maximum of $25,000 that any one applicant may receive in state funds.

All applications received will be reviewed and scored based on the following evaluation criteria:
1) benefit, need of a permanent facility
2) impact evaluation method
3) sustainability and long-term impact
4) reasonableness of the budget
5) degree of collaboration
6) how it addresses the KADB’s investment philosophy and guiding principles.

The farmers’ market program is a competitive program, meaning that all applications for this program will be scored, ranked and awarded at the same time. All applications meeting the minimum score will be considered for funding. If the total eligible applications exceed the available funds, then applications with the highest scores will be approved, until funds are exhausted. Awards made through this program will be announced in September.

Detailed guidelines and application are available on-line at http://agpolicy.ky.gov or by calling (502) 564-4627.