CLARK COUNTY AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN I. OVERVIEW OF COUNTY

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1 CLARK COUNTY AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN I. OVERVIEW OF COUNTY Nestled in the picturesque Bluegrass Region of Central Kentucky, Clark County, with the city of Winchester as its county seat, once prided itself on being the industrial hemp production capital of the world. It was also the producer of champion sheep and cattle, quality burley and other row crops. Agriculture in many forms has always been the backbone of this community with cattle and tobacco being the dominant products in recent years. Along with this hay and grain are significant commodities produced. The 1999 U. S. Census of Agriculture rates Clark County as being the ninth largest producer of cattle and calves in the state, and twelfth in beef cow production. The figures reflect 48,000 cattle/calves and 27,500 beef cows for 1999 within the county. In addition, 4,800 acres of corn, 32,400 acres of hay and 3,330 acres of burley tobacco were raised in 1997 (U. S. Census of Agriculture) with the market value of agricultural products sold being over 35 million dollars. The average farm size was 173 acres, an increase of 23 acres from the 1992 census, but the number of farms had decreased from 966 to 847 indicating consolidation to be a factor. In 1999 and 2000 Clark County has lost over 2500 acres to development alone. With the significant cuts in tobacco quotas and two consecutive years of

2 drought conditions the crop production figures are reduced significantly at the present time. According to a Retention, Expansion and Assistance Program (REAP) survey conducted in 1996 as part of the Kentucky Economic Expansion Program, geographic location, community size and its people were listed as major strengths by farmers in the county. Also noted were its fine school system and in particular the vocational agriculture programs at the local high school and vocational school. Other infrastructure strengths listed were the strong community support groups such as the Extension Service, Farm Service Agency and Soil Conservation Service offices and personnel, Farm Bureau, Livestock and Forage Council, Chamber of Commerce and agriculturally aware lending institutions. The agricultural future of Clark County in the 21st century will be directly proportioned to the adaptability of its members. Entrepreneurial ideas and crop diversity as well as education and value adding to existant resources are key factors to survival. Preservation of farm land is also a must. Traditional agriculture production (i.e. cattle, pasture, hay, grain and tobacco) must be refined and improved to become more productive. Non-traditional and emerging agricultural production (i.e. farm direct marketing, commercial vegetable production, aquaculture, value added beef production) must be encouraged and supported as well as other new ventures.

3 Tobacco dependency in 1992 for Clark County was rated twelfth in the state generating 15 million pounds of burley and in 1999 we were 26th with approximately 6 million pounds produced. Obviously, the trend has changed and steps must be taken to retain agriculture as a viable, competitive and thriving entity in the county. DEMOGRAPHIC DATA Winchester, the county seat of Clark County has a listed population of 16,919 with our total county population being 32,457. According to the REAP survey mentioned before, in 1996 more than 25% of farmers in the county were 68 years or older. The 1997 census figures place the average age of farmers at 66 with less than 15% under the age of 35. The average age is indicative of trends in agriculture today. This trend reflects the propensity that farmers continue to work far beyond retirement age as well as the difficulties for younger farmers to enter into farming as a vocation. The respondents represented 4800 years of experience in agriculture but 59.7% worked off the farm as well. Only 40% considered themselves to be "full time" farmers, a percentage which has decreased since the survey. Our greatest resource in Clark County was and remains still to be its people and their willingness to be involved. Couple this with our strong community organizations and local government support we have the potential to compete and thrive as an agricultural competitor in

4 the state. Close proximity to I-64 and I-75 and a rail spur located within the county are a means to market commodities. Also a three to four surrounding county choice of cattle marketing facilities gives us options. We have access to two university facilities (EKU and UK) in adjacent counties with continuing education opportunities offered in Clark County. II. REVIEW OF THE PROCESS After the Clark County Agricultural Development Council was formed we set forth gathering input from as many sources possible. We had discussed several ideas of our own but we wanted input from as many impacted farmers and/or agriculturally related sources as possible as well as our city and county elected officials. Our first two meetings were to organize our plans to implement this. We contacted our local newspaper and requested their assistance in running an article asking for input. We compiled a survey (see enclosed) which was mailed to 700 households and distributed throughout the county and city to ag related businesses, FSA office, Livestock and Forage Council's annual meeting and during the open forum lunch meeting we sponsored on October 14th as well as at our breakfast meeting with elected city and county officials on November 13th. There were 47 interested parties at the open forum and nine city/county officials at their meeting. The council received 127 returned surveys from these

5 efforts. We then met again to assess the results of the surveys and begin the process of drafting a plan and a proposal. Subsequently we mailed 675 postcards (see attached) through the Extension Service with their newsletters. We received 102 returned cards from this effort. In addition, council members have individually communicated with the Chamber of Commerce, Extension Service, Farm Service Agency and Soil Conservation personnel, agribusinesses and our Farm Bureau. Our council members also attended other regional meetings such as the October 12th Field Day at EKU and Bluegrass Agriculture Advancement Council meeting on November 20th. The council has received input for proposals from Kentucky Farm Business Management group, Central Kentucky Ag Development (CKAD), Clark County Community Foundation, Central Kentucky Growers Association, Clark County Livestock and Forage Council, and Clark County Bluegrass Heritage Museum as well. We have met nine times to date to better discern how best to write our comprehensive plan and proposals with two more scheduled meetings yet to be. III. ASSESSMENTS Strengths In Clark County we have several strengths that provide us with opportunities to increase our agricultural production and marketing. Our rolling topography with limestone and

6 phosphorus base is very suitable for burley tobacco, hay and livestock production. Over 85 percent of our land base is suitable for production agriculture with 35 percent considered prime agricultural land. Our proximity to Interstate 64 and 75 provide an excellent marketing channel. We have a diversified agricultural base with over $45 million in farm receipts. Over $33 million of that total comes from livestock production with the remaining $12 million coming from crop production. There are four livestock marketing facilities within 20 miles of our county. Also, we have a Southern States grain market and feed mill located in Clark County along with a major fertilizer production facility. The county has an excellent educational infrastructure for formal instruction as well as technical training and continuing education. The three school systems in the county provide high quality education for the K-12 that is continually in the top 1/3 of the state. Secondary and post-secondary technical schools provide excellent training opportunities in the building trades, welding, auto mechanics, machine shop and health careers. Lexington Community College offers continuing education classes in Clark County. Within 20 miles there is access to U of K, EKU, Central Kentucky Technical College and Transylvania University. The Clark County Cooperative Extension Service is in the process of building a new 11,000 sq. ft. Extension building. This will allow Extension to expand and help with production, marketing,

7 new enterprise development and rural economic development. Continued support of the Extension Service and the land grant university system will be vital to insure that communities maximize the opportunities available through the Phase I tobacco settlement funds. Educational opportunities, natural resources, transportation systems, and central location are advantages for Clark County. A great strength for Clark County is concerned involvement in producer organizations. The Clark County Livestock and Forage Council is one of the top ten in the state. Producers are involved in Central Kentucky Growers Association, Kentucky Cattlemen's Association, Burley Co-Op Association, National Cattlemen's Association, Kentucky Farm Bureau, Soil Conservation Board, membership in various beef cattle breed organizations and all the volunteer project leaders for FFA and 4-H. Our producers are involved in projects to improve production, management, and marketing in the agricultural industry. Weakness One of the main weaknesses in Clark County has been the lack of a coordinated effort to market any of the products we produce together in order to receive more market value. As a major grower of tobacco and livestock, few efforts have been made to add value to products to increase our share of the consumer dollar. There are no major brand implement dealers in the

8 county. Aside from the Southern States grain marketing terminal, there are no major local markets for farm products. The high price of land makes it difficult to financially justify many farm enterprises. There has been a reluctance among most Clark County farmers to diversify their operations. Opportunities Opportunities do exist in our present system to increase the farm share of products sold. Just in the last two years efforts have been started to achieve this goal. Central Kentucky Feeders was formed as a cooperative effort with 8 other counties to market feeder calves, to date five sales have been held with all five high in the state on the day held. As with all projects of this type it takes time to build producer and buyer participation. Other livestock marketing programs are becoming available. Membership in the Central Kentucky Growers Association is also beginning to expand. Use of tobacco acreage for vegetable and fruit production is being explored by several producers. A local farmers market continues to develop. Aquaculture and niche market ventures are also on the rise. Threats The number one threat to agriculture in Clark County is continuing conversion of prime farmland. In the last two years 2,500 acres of farmland has been lost to other uses. This has resulted in increased farmland prices loss of opportunities for young

9 farmers to purchase land, and less interest in agricultural infrastructure and improvements. One of our strengths, location, also brings on continued pressure from the metro Lexington area as more people want to live in the country. As this development increases so does the possibility of problems with adjoining landowners in their farming operations. On a related issue, more restrictive environmental standards threaten the ability of crop and livestock producers in using normal farming practices. These restriction will reduce their ability to choose most cost-effective production practices such as the use of manures, tillage practices, and chemical control of insects and diseases. COUNTY COUNCIL OBJECTIVES The goal and mission of the Clark County Agricultural Development Council (CCADC) was developed and approved at the July 18, 2000 meeting. The stated goal of the CCADC is to enhance the economy of the agricultural community of Clark County. The mission is to develop programs to achieve this goal with the objective of keeping agriculture a competitive and thriving entity. Two areas of agriculture in Clark County which the goal could be partially achieved were identified as beef cattle and forages. SHORT TERM PRIORITIES One of the short term priorities outlined was the enhancement of services available by farm organizations which benefit agriculture. One example of this could be

10 the purchase of corral panels to be used with a portable cattle working chute available for loan by the Clark County Livestock and Forage Council. Another area was developing a questionnaire to ascertain the needs of the agricultural community. This questionnaire was made available to Clark County residents to secure input for proposals for the best use of these funds. LONG TERM GOALS The long term goal of this council is to develop programs which will enable agriculture to continue to be an important part of our community, and to make assistance available that will attract future generations to agriculture as a vocation and way of life. Another is for the entire community to recognize the importance of agriculture. FUNDING The council will require a cost share of 50% for each proposed project. CCADC will research projects that may require funds of city and county government and the state board in order to meet the goals and mission of the council.