CARROLLTON, Ky. — The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board (KADB), chaired by Gov. Steve Beshear, approved $2,046,547 last week in 19 agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during its October board meeting. Investments include:

•The Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD) was approved for $600,000 to continue providing business support services and technical assistance to rural agribusinesses through 2013.

•The Fleming County Board of Education was approved for $78,500 in county funds for a regional agriculture education facility in the Buffalo Trace area to provide hands-on experience for students.

•The Greenup County Farm Bureau was approved for $10,000 in county funds to expand an existing agricultural mobile classroom for its “Mooving Agriculture Forward” education initiative.

•The Green River Area Beef Improvement Group, Inc. was approved for $20,000 in county funds to provide a youth cost-share program for youth in Daviess County.

The County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) is designed to provide farmers with incentives to allow them to improve and diversify their current production practices. Seven CAIPs were approved by the board totaling $1,168,804 for Clay, Gallatin, Lewis, Lyon, Metcalfe, Ohio and Spencer counties. In addition, $95,368 was approved to supplement existing CAIPs in the following counties: Carroll, Carter and Franklin.

Six County Deceased Farm Animal Removal Programs were approved for Fleming, Harrison, Hart, Nelson, Spencer and Taylor, totaling $41,238; and two Shared-use Equipment Programs were approved by the board in the amount of $32,637 for Metcalfe County.

URBANDALE, Iowa — GROWMARK and Monsanto recently announced they support the nonprofit organization Farm Safety 4 Just Kids (FS4JK) in its effort to keep youth safe in rural areas. GROWMARK provides its customers with agricultural products as well as the means to deliver, market and store those products. Monsanto works alongside farmers to feed the world by selling seeds, traits developed through biotechnology and crop protection chemicals.

FS4JK was created in 1987 by Marilyn Adams after the death of her 11-year-old son. The organization works to raise awareness about the health and safety hazards that are an inherent part of the rural environment in which children live, work, and play. More than 130 chapters in the United States and Canada conduct safety and health programs within their communities.

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — A new website and mobile application, cropNAtion, will allow farmers and ranchers to connect with each other whether they are across the country or across the road.

The site at www.cropnation.com is designed to serve as a one-stop resource for on-the-go information. After creating a profile, users can share information about their operations, ask and answer questions, upload photos and videos and access the latest markets and weather conditions.

“We saw a need for farmers and ranchers to have a ‘virtual coffee shop’ – a place where they could ask questions, share stories and photos, and cultivate relationships,” said Jim Spradlin, GROWMARK vice president, agronomy. “GROWMARK is pleased to sponsor this site, which we hope will be fed by farmers everywhere.”

Anyone with an interest in North American agriculture may register for and use the free site.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Several employees were recognized at the United Producers Inc. (UPI) annual employee meeting in Indianapolis, Ind. Outstanding teams and individuals were awarded performance and shining star awards to showcase their success.

Performance Awards were presented to eight operations that had exceptional accomplishments: UPI – Advanced Hog Marketing; Cass City, Mich.; Maryville, Mo.; Fowler, Mich.; Feeder Pig Division; Shelbyville, Ill.; Salem, Ill.; and Gary Coleman, regional credit officer for western Kentucky and Indiana.

Team Excellence Awards were presented to two groups that work exceptionally well together to achieve phenomenal results. The Illinois cattle marketing and action markets under the leadership of senior regional manager Ron Kirkpatrick with team members Gene Price, Megan Beckmier, Steve Pieper, Chris Rincker and Tom Morrow from the Shelbyville market; Mark Kleiboeker, Caleb Price, Carissa Lotter, Alan Barksdale and Dennis Lange from the Salem market; Adam Duty, Steve Dillow, Heather Simmons and Junior Wells from the Goreville market; Bob Bunting from the Albion market; and Glen Gordon Jr. and Tracy Geiler of Coordinated Feeder Services received this award, along with the Corporate Marketing team of Sam Roberts, Dianne Case, Abra Dunn and Ed Klinker of Columbus, Ohio.

Shining Star Awards were presented to nine individuals who went above and beyond basic responsibilities: Logan Edenfield, Hillsboro, Ohio; Bane Robertson, Coordinated Feeder Services, Paris, Ky.; Kendall Murphy, Stryker, Ohio; Tom Pfledderer, Rushville, Ind., Tris Cooper, regional credit officer, northeastern Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania; Roy Broyles, senior regional manager, Kentucky and southern Indiana; Tracy Frazee, Columbus, Ohio; Dan Ashley, Little York and Vincennes, Ind.; and Gary Carman, Irvington, Ky