CHRISTIAN COUNTY, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Gov. Andy Beshear announced that the Kentucky Soil and Water Conservation Commission has selected 305 projects in 73 counties to receive more than $3.7 million in tobacco settlement funds, aimed to help Kentucky farmers improve the health and productivity of their farmland.
Projects may include installing livestock waterers, fencing or grassed waterways, establishing rotational grazing, planting cover crops and more, according to the governor’s office. Award recipients have two years to complete the project.
In the past 31 years, more than $187 million has been provided through the program. For the 2025 fiscal year, Christian County farms received $227,000 in these cost share funds distributed throughout 37 different applications.
“Our farmers help produce the goods we rely on each day and drive of our economy, so when they succeed, Team Kentucky succeeds,” said Gov. Beshear in a news release. “These funds will help address needs on farms across our commonwealth and boost productivity in the process.”
Tobacco Master Settlement funds are appropriated each year to support the State Cost Share Program. Funds are distributed with the assistance of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission and the 121 conservation districts across Kentucky which work with local farmers to verify and submit proposed projects for consideration, says the governor’s office.
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