Garrard Comprehensive plan.txt GARRARD COUNTY AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. January 24, Submitted by:

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1 GARRARD COUNTY AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN January 24, 2001 Submitted by: Bill West, Chairman Jerome Isaacs Jason Gaffney, Vice-Chairman Keith Middleton Linda Crace, Secretary Darby Montgomery Billy C. Doolin Noe Mike Carter, UK Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Roy OVERVIEW OF GARRARD COUNTY Garrard is a picturesque county located in the beautiful southern bluegrass region of the Commonwealth. Although its total area of 236 square miles ranks the county as Kentucky's 29th smallest, burley tobacco and beef cattle production are "big business" in Garrard. The county is annually among the state's "Top 20" counties in the pounds of burley tobacco grown and in the number of beef cattle produced. It is of interest to note that Garrard is reputed to have the most "tobacco" greenhouses of any county which, perhaps, can be attributed to the fact that the local producers got involved on the cutting edge technology of hydroponic production of burley transplants back in the early 1990s. According to the most recent census of Agriculture there were 880 farms and 124,749 acres involved in farming in Garrard County in Five years earlier there were 984 farms and 138,061 acres involved in farming. Therefore, the number of farms declined 10.6% and farming lost 9.6% of its acreage over the five year period. There were 453 farmers who listed farming as their principal occupation while 427 farmers indicated that farming was not their principal source of income. Total farm income was just under $30 million with tobacco and the collective livestock enterprises each amounting to approximately $15 million. These, of course, are the 1997 numbers. The sharp drop in tobacco quotas and the subsequent losses in income from burley sales over the last three years have resulted in a tobacco income of less than $7 million in 2000 compared to the $15 million realized from the 1997 crop. This $8+million blow has been nearly offset by over $7 million of combined T-LAP and Phase II monies paid directly to owners/operators/tenants during calendar year There are currently 35,500 cattle in Garrard County with nearly 15,000 of those being beef cows involved in calf production. Obviously, some expansion of beef operations Page 1

2 has the potential to increase farm income. Forages play a major role in the county's agriculture. Not only are forages essential to livestock operations, but high-quality hay has much potential as a cash crop. Minimal amounts of grain are produced due to several factors not the least of which are traditionally low commodity prices, high production costs, and limited acreage suitable for continuing production. Some "non-traditional" enterprises are being tried locally by a limited number of growers. The funds from the Phase I Settlement will, perhaps, allow for some expansion of production and development of marketing infrastructures for some of these enterprises that are deemed to have viable long-term potential to significantly contribute to the successful survival of Garrard County's agricultural industry. DEMOGRAPHIC DATA Garrard County has a population of 14,333. Approximately 4,300 people live within the city limits of Lancaster, the county seat and only corporate city. The remaining 10,000 county citizens, obviously, live either on farms in rural areas, or in small communities (such as Paint Lick, Buckeye, Bryantsville, and Cartersville) scattered across the county. 18% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty income level. 44.2% of the children enrolled in the Garrard County Public School System are eligible for the free and reduced price meal program. The county's unemployment rate is under 3.0%. The top three employment sectors are: Farming (26.7%), Services (16.7%), and Government (15.6%). Some 62.2% of Garrard's workforce are employed outside of the county. Nearly all of Garrard residences have access to one of the two water systems in the county. Approximately 12% of the population lives on a farm. Traditionally, the county's economy has been highly dependent on the farming sector and its agriculture income. Currently, wage and salary employment represents the single largest type of employment with farm proprietors ranking as the second largest group although there has been a significant decline in the number of proprietors through the 1990s. The pace and nature of change in Garrard is quickly moving the county toward a future which is much different from its past. Tremendous changes in the landscape have already occurred: residential subdivisions now grow where tobacco once grew, traffic is continually increasing, schools are overcrowded, and public services are being strained. The county's population has Page 2

3 increased by 23.8% since There are currently 6203 households in Garrard County which is an astounding increase of 40% from the 4435 households that existed in 1990! REVIEW OF THE PROCESS The Garrard County Agricultural Development Council was established in July of 2000 as mandated by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The council's purpose is to manage and distribute the county's portion of Phase I Settlement monies which for the first two years of the 25 year program amounts to $840, Membership was accomplished through the selection of two members each by these agriculture agencies: Farm Service Agency (Doolin and Noe), Extension Service (Crace and Montgomery), and Natural Resource Conservation Service (West and Isaacs). At their initial meeting, those six members elected two young farmers (Middleton and Gaffney) to complete the eight- member council. The Extension Service (Carter) is assigned the administrative role. All of this, again, as mandated by Kentucky law. This Garrard County Comprehensive Plan was achieved after a conscientious effort by the council to gather input from citizens throughout the county. An extensive survey was mailed to 851 local farmers encouraging them to participate in the process with their responses. Those same farmers received an invitation to attend a public forum at the county high school and some sixty of them did attend and voiced their concerns and ideas. Additionally, the council membership attended training and update sessions in Richmond and Harrodsburg as provided by the Governor's Office on Agriculture Policy. Newspaper articles included information on this Phase I program and the reading public was afforded a copy of the survey as well as being invited and encouraged to participate in the public forum. The council continues to solicit ideas and recommendations from the citizens of Garrard County and sees that input as playing a continual vital role throughout the duration of Phase I monies. POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF GARRARD COUNTY 1. There is a great desire to maintain traditional rural values, rural community setting, farming atmosphere and attitudes, and to highly value religion and the family unit. Garrard has long been labeled as a great place to live and raise a family. 2. While the city of Lancaster has a Planning and Zoning Commission with regulations in place, there is no comprehensive land-use plan of any type for the county. Therefore, Garrard has no zoning laws and no plan for organized growth. Page 3

4 3. The county is greatly blessed with natural resources such as productive soils, water (rivers, creeks, streams, lakes, adequate rainfall, etc.), and climatological conditions that allow for a broad-spectrum of agricultural enterprise production choices. These choices are, however, limited to some degree in many sections of the county by the sloping nature of the land and the resulting erosion considerations. 4. Garrard has an abundance of forage production, but it is far from its potential. Improved and intensified management schemes would likely result in the development of value - added enterprises as well as improved livestock production. 5. All sections of the county are located generally within a thirty to forty-five minute drive of Lexington with all of its amenities, attributes and attractions. 6. The public water systems are nearly fully-developed and reach approximately 95% of the farms and houses. 7. Garrard has very little industrial base resulting in the previously mentioned fact that 62.2% of the workforce leaves the county each day as they travel to their place of employment. 8. The state's third-largest stockyards is located in Garrard County. It has a very active weekly auction market with annual sales of well-over 100,000 head of cattle. 9. Strong agricultural leadership is an asset to the county. However, the local beef cattle association and the Farm Bureau organization both are in need of reorganization and/or revitalization efforts. The Garrard County/UK Extension Service, Garrard County/USDA Farm Service Agency, and the Garrard County/USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service serve the local farming community with essential educational programs, informational services, and assist with other opportunities. This type of continuing support will be vital to ensure the future success of farm-based agriculture in Garrard County. 10. Garrard's public school system serves approximately 2420 students and consists of a consolidated high school, a middle school for grades 6-8, and three elementary schools for grades K-5. A quality vocational school provides secondary and post-secondary technical training as well as continuing educational programs. 11. Although it is difficult, if not impossible, to know just how many are involved; migrant, seasonal, and generally Hispanic workers make up a significant portion of the agriculture labor force in Garrard County. While a few ongoing and some new educational and/or social programs are in existence that serve this segment of the Page 4

5 population, more needs to be done in this area. 12. The Garrard County Memorial Hospital, owned and operated by county government, provides essential medical services to the community. However, it is struggling under a huge ($4+ million) debt load and is seeking a way to survive. 13. With the exception of ready-made markets for tobacco, beef cattle, dairy production, and a couple other livestock enterprises (i.e. hogs and lambs) the marketing for locally grown production lacks structure. A major emphasis needs to be placed on market development before traveling down the road toward the production of any potentially profitable enterprise. Perhaps some 10 to 12 local growers of vegetables began such a journey with their initial successful effort with the newly-formed Garrard County Farmers Market in OPPORTUNITIES The best opportunities for the wise investment of local Phase I funds lie in the further development of our livestock and forage base in the county. Results of the survey instrument developed and distributed throughout the county by the County Agricultural Development Council identified the livestock/forage category as a top area of interest. Garrard County is one of the largest burley producing counties in the USA. Tobacco continues to play a role in the local economy. The council feels that the importance of this enterprise should not be forgotten as priorities for the use of Phase I monies are established. Investments in areas that can be shown, through practical application, to potentially improve production practices, climate-controlled curing systems, and/or marketing strategies resulting in improved profitability will be considered for funding. The opportunity for a limited number of producers to grow and sell produce is now provided by the Garrard County Farmers Market. The council feels that some investment in the further enhancement of the production and marketing of quality produce is merited by its potential to, in some cases, replace much of the lost tobacco income. The council feels that it would be wise to invest some monies in the continuing education in areas of enterprise selection, production, and especially market development. Limited opportunities for non-traditional (specialty) enterprises exist, but in most cases the interested producer must be the one to find, develop, and defend his/her production and marketing opportunities. Page 5

6 The County Agricultural Development Council will give due consideration to all properly prepared and presented applications for monies from local Phase I funds. Priorities for funding will be established by the council based on their individual or, where appropriate, their collective merit. THREATS 1. The potential of continuing loss of tobacco income is one of the main threats to the farm economy of Garrard County. 2. The likely continuing loss of productive farmland to residential and commercial development, road improvements, new businesses, etc. is certainly a threat to local agriculture. 3. The average age of a Garrard County farmer is 55 years. Most people from the younger generation (many of whom are from farm families) have accepted their situation and made the choice, as dictated by the economic realities, to find another form of employment/income. Who will farm Garrard County in the future? 4. Some citizens are concerned with the lack of planning and zoning in Garrard County. An effort to better inform/educate the county's citizens regarding the pros and cons of land-use planning is currently underway by a local committee whose endeavors are being coordinated by the Extension Service and the local Chamber of Commerce. 5. More restrictive environmental standards threaten, somewhat, the ability of crop and livestock producers in using normal farming practices. Such restrictions reduce their ability to choose least-cost, effective production practices such as the use of manures, tillage practices, and chemical control of insects and diseases. MISSION/VISION STATEMENT The Garrard County Agricultural Development Council will invest monies from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund in innovative proposals that have the potential to increase net farm income and positively effect the quality of life of tobacco farm families and the communities in which they live. Highest priority for funding will be assigned to those proposals that the Council deems to be sound investments in the future success of agriculture in Garrard County. Among the means through which this can be accomplished are: stimulating existing and new markets for locally-grown agricultural products, exploring new ways to add value to such products, seeking new opportunities for the use of local products, and investing in other projects that serve the local agriculture industry. Page 6

7 SHORT TERM PRIORITIES The Garrard County Agricultural Development Council will support and encourage cooperation among individuals to come together to develop proposals that are broad-based in their scope and show potential benefit to multiple parties. While the preference is for group proposals, the council will accept and review individual project proposals as long as they show evidence that the project will improve existing agricultural enterprises, expand new opportunities for agriculture and could serve as a pilot project for future growth. Again, the council feels that the appropriate use of Phase I funds is in those projects/programs which are deemed to be investments in the future of Garrard County's agriculture. Individual applications that will result in these funds being used in conventional USDA-like cost-sharing programs will receive a lower priority. LONG TERM GOAL The long term goal of the Garrard County Agricultural Development Council is to encourage an atmosphere of cooperation among producers, rural and town citizens, and public and private sectors toward efforts that maintain and enhance both the economic and historic aspects of Garrard County agriculture. The improvement of existing farming enterprises, expanding new enterprises, developing markets and providing educational opportunities will also remain of major importance in the council's efforts to strengthen the agricultural economy of Garrard County. TACTICS FOR LEVERAGING FUNDS The Garrard County Agricultural Development Council will expect proposals to show evidence of in-kind, matching money, or other support equal to at least 50% of the total cost of the project for which any application is submitted. Proposals should clearly outline to whom the funds will be directed and who will be responsible for the expenditures. The council reserves the right to waive cost-share requirements for special proposals from not-forprofit agencies and associations. EVALUATION AND REVIEW Groups or individuals interested in submitting an application for Phase I funds can download an application from the web site or they can pick one up at the Garrard County Extension Office located at 319 Stanford Street in Lancaster. Applicants for funds need to carefully read the directions listed on the application form Page 7

8 and follow its guidelines in preparing the proposal. A. How Proposals Will Be Evaluated* Proposals will be evaluated on their perceived potential to increase production efficiency, improve marketing effectiveness, broaden the educational base, add value, and/or create new products with new markets for Garrard County farmers. Applications will be scored using this format: Investment Application Evaluation Criteria on tobacco Number of people impacted by proposal Applicants share contributed to project become self-sustaining? 5) Does it sound practical and provide the 15 points 1) Dependency 2) 3) 4) Can it necessary supporting documentation? 6) Does the project provide a realistic opportunity to increase farm profitability? 15 points 7) Will the applicant share knowledge gained and it be duplicated? can 8) How well does it fit the county/state comprehensive plan? 20 points Total points 100 points *This scoring format can be found on page 16 of the application packet. B. How Success/Failure Will Be Measured The Garrard County Agricultural Development Council feels that Phase I funds can most appropriately be used as investments that, in some way, ensure the future economic success of Garrard County's agriculture. However, being farmers, each council member realizes how difficult it is as we enter a new millennium to make money on the farm. Tobacco has long been the most consistently profitable enterprise in Kentucky, but this may not be true much longer. No other crop or livestock enterprise that can be legally produced in the state can provide a good living for so many farm families. To some degree, the council views this first round of Phase I funds as venture capital. Limited amounts of monies invested to explore some value-added possibilities or that is utilized in new enterprise potential evaluations may prove to be of little benefit other than the experience of learning what does not have a role as an enterprise in the county's agriculture future. Such projects should not be labeled, out of hand, as failures or unwise use of Phase I funds. Valuable lessons sometimes do come with a price tag. Page 8

9 The bulk of monies available, it is anticipated, will be utilized toward making traditional enterprises more efficient and/or more profitable. Obviously, positive returns are expected for those individuals/groups that invest in and participate in those types of project and/or programs. Returns on investments in education are often difficult to measure and may only be adequately and fairly evaluated over an extended period of time. Wise investments in focused educational efforts have a long history of being very successful in the proud history of U.S. Agriculture. Fund recipients will be required to submit a report on a periodic basis to ensure that they are meeting the requirements of the funded project. Such periodic review of projects is essential in the overall effort of the Garrard County Agriculture Development Council to evaluate its own performance. HOW THE COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WILL BE REVISED The Garrard County Agricultural Development Council constructed this plan based on the current information available. As the county's situation evolves and changes to the degree that the council deems it necessary to revise any portion(s) of the plan, such revision will take place. Additionally, should there be changes at the state board level in philosophy, policy, practices, and procedures, etc.., the county council may find it necessary to adjust this plan in reaction to these changes. The plan will be reviewed at least annually; but, should the council consider it necessary, a review and a resulting revision may take place at any time that the council feels it can be improved through such revision. Page 9