Blog - Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp

Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp awardsChallenge Grants to three agtech innovators

October 30, 2025September 11, 2025 by Brian Fischer

[LEXINGTON, Kentucky] — The Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp has announced the winning companies for its second round of Challenge Grant funding, supporting transformative agricultural startups that are helping reshape the future of food, farming and sustainability in Kentucky. The Challenge Grant program, launched to attract and grow agtech and food-based businesses in the commonwealth, received … Read more

Jacob Ball, Executive Director, Shares Vision for Central Kentucky’s AgTech Future in Eastern Standard Interview

November 18, 2025September 8, 2025 by Bluegrass AgTech Dev Corp

In a recent interview on WEKU’s Eastern Standard, Ball shared his vision for positioning Central Kentucky as a national hub for agricultural technology and innovation.

“Education is a starting point for economic and workforce development,” Ball said. “Our goal is to connect young entrepreneurs, startups, and established ag companies into a thriving ecosystem. The sooner we can get new talent involved, the stronger our agricultural and economic future will be.”

Jacob Ball Named Executive Director of the Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp

October 30, 2025June 25, 2025 by Brian Fischer

The Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp (BADC) is proud to announce the appointment of Jacob Ball, NBCT, as its new Executive Director. A nationally recognized educator and agricultural leader, Ball brings over 14 years of experience in program development, strategic planning, grant management, and stakeholder engagement—all essential to advancing innovation in Kentucky’s AgTech sector. “Jacob will … Read more

Helton to direct AgTech development

October 30, 2025November 1, 2023 by Brian Fischer

Bob-Helton-Executive-Director-Bluegrass-AgTech-Development-Corp

Bob Helton has been named executive director of Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp, a new organization that is cultivating an innovation ecosystem for entrepreneurs and startups in the agricultural sector. Bluegrass AgTech was developed through a partnership among the City of Lexington, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, … Read more