Good Agricultural Practices
Good Agricultural Practices, also known as GAP, is a voluntary third party audit program that verifies an audited farm is producing, packaging, handling and storing fruits and vegetables using safe practices to minimize food safety hazards. Several retail and wholesale buyers require producers have third-party audit verification to ensure growers are conforming to the best agricultural practices for food production. Audits are completed by USDA auditors or by private comapanies. Two companies that have completed audits in Kentucky are Quality Fresh and Equicert.
Kentucky has several producers and facilities that maintain GAPs certification. View and search companies on the USDA online listing. Note that this search tool only includes companies certified by USDA auditors and there can be a lag period between audit completion and posting to the site.
Kentucky GAP audited farms – February 2024 – If you are a producer who has successfully completed an audit but do not appear on this listing, please email info@kyhortcouncil.org.
GAP Cost-Share Program
In 2025, KHC is able to continue offering a GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) Cost-Share Program. GAP is a voluntary third party audit program that verifies the audited farm is producing, packaging, handling and storing fruits and vegetables using safe practices to minimize food safety hazards. Several retail and wholesale buyers require produce growers have third-party audit verification to ensure growers are conforming to the best agricultural practices for food production.
Applications for the 2025 GAPs Cost-Share Program are currently being accepted.
Any Kentucky produce grower completing a third party GAPs audit in 2025 may participate in the KHC Cost Share Program. Cost share will be 75% of the audit cost up to a maximum reimbursement of $1,250 for 2025.
To receive reimbursement producers must:
- be, or become, a member of Kentucky Proud through the Kentucky Department of Agriculture
- complete the application online before the deadline OR complete the application and submit it to the Kentucky Horticulture Council
- submit a copy or image of the paid third party GAPs audit receipt from an official certifying agency
Funds are limited for 2025. Application pre-approval is strongly encouraged but not required.
See the KHC Third-Party GAP Audit Cost-Share Program Guidelines for more info. Complete the application online or download the application, complete, and submit before December 15, 2025.
The Kentucky Horticulture Council Cost-Share grants are funded through Kentucky Agriculture Development Funds.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Is there a penalty if I apply and don’t go through with the audit this year? No, we understand there are many reasons a farm decides to delay or not complete a GAPs audit. We keep applicants on the contact list and will let you know of future programs.
I’ve received cost-share funds in the past, can I still apply? Absolutely. We do have a limited pool of funds, so previous recipients may have lower priority than first-time applicants.
I’m a little intimidated by the audit process. Where can I get help?
Bryan Brady with UK’s Cultivate Kentucky Program is an excellent technical assistance resource for understand audit requirements, developing a farm food safety plan, and preparing for an on-farm audit. The success rate for farms working with Bryan is 100%.
I’ve heard farm audits are really expensive. What does an audit cost? Audit costs are primarily determined by complexity of the audit (number of crops or procedures being audited, for example). Over the last six years, the audit costs of farms we’ve worked with have ranged from $225 to $3,054.
I’d like to learn more about Kentucky Proud, where can I find info? Visit KDA’s website to learn more about benefits of and applying for the official state marketing program for agricultural products.