Laurel County Comprehensive Plan

Transcription

1 Laurel County Comprehensive Plan Developed by the Laurel County Agricultural Development Council December 21, 2000 Revised: August 28, 2008 Cooperating Partners: Laurel County Cooperative Extension Council Laurel County Conservation District Laurel County Farm Services Agency Committee Cumberland Valley RC&D Council, Inc. Laurel County Farm Bureau USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, London Field Office Wilderness Trail Beef Cattle Marketing Alliance Laurel County Beef Cattle Association London Laurel County Chamber of Commerce London Laurel County Farmer s Market Committee Laurel County Agricultural Development Council Submitted by: Dean Johnson, Chairman Mike Calebs, Secretary/Treasurer Earl Bailey Lonnie Bowling Clemons Bundy Doug Day Tim Watkins Otis Williams Todd Brock

2 Overview of Laurel County Agricultural Statistics, Trends and Projections Traditional Agriculture Production Laurel County s farm economy has for many decades been based principally on tobacco, beef production and to a lesser extent dairy production. The 2002 U. S. Census of Agriculture counted 1,137 farms in Laurel County, down six percent from However, the average farm size in 2002 was 95 acres, which is 13 percent higher than the previous report. Census figures report that these farms sold $15,716,000 worth of agricultural products, with crop sales accounting for $6,874,000 (44%) and livestock sales accounting for $8,842, (56%). The average market value of production per farm in 2002 was $13,822, which is up 11 percent from the 1997 report. In 1999, Laurel County farmers produced 4.2 million pounds of burley tobacco. By 2007, production had dropped to 600,600 pounds. In January, 1999, there were 10,800 beef cows in Laurel County. In 2007, the number has grown to 11,400, which ranks Laurel County as 41 st in the state for beef production. During the same time, the number of milk cows in Laurel County has increased from 500 to 634, which also ranks 41 st in the state. In 1998, 2,500 Laurel County farmers produced 163,200 bushels of corn, which was a 40% reduction in the amount of corn produced in By the 2002 Census, production had again dropped significantly to 86,487 bushels. (As a result of the Tobacco Buyout Program, Government payments increased from $80, in 1997 to $216, in 2002, a 170% rise. The average amount of government payment per farm was $1, ) Demographic Data Social Data The U. S. Census Bureau estimated the population of Laurel County to be 56,979. Of this total, 97.6% were classified as white, 0.8% black, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, and 0.6% Hispanic. Between 2000 and 2006, Laurel County s population increased by 8.1%. The population is projected to increase to 61,391 by 2001, 65,277 by 2015, and 68,708 by The median age for all Laurel County citizens is In 2000 there were 20,353 households in Laurel County with an average household size of According to the 2000 Census, 68% of Laurel County citizens are rural, down from 87% in the 1990 Census. The total number of citizens living in urban areas has risen from 13% in 1990 to 32% in Page 2 of 6 Pages

3 Over 63% of Laurel County citizens 25 and over are high school graduates. Of those, 10.6% have a bachelor s degree or higher. Economic Data In 2004, Laurel County had a median household income of $30,255. The per capita income was $14,165. A total of 20.5% of Laurel Countians were living below the poverty level in According to the 2007 KidsCount report, 29% of children in Laurel County are living at or below poverty level. Inventory of Resources Laurel County is located in the southeastern part of Kentucky. It has an area of 285,250 acres. Almost all the soils in Laurel County are acid, and crops respond to applications of lime and fertilizer. The Laurel County soils are steep and formed in material derived mostly from sandstone and shale. The elevation in the survey area ranges from about 723 to 1,730 feet above sea level. The climate is moderate and the growing season, defined as the number of days between the last temperature of 32 degrees F in the spring and the first in the fall, averages about 181 days. Farming is diversified in Laurel County. In 2002, Laurel County had 1,137 farms with an average size of 95 acres. The average value of land and buildings per acre was $2,305. Of Laurel County s 1,137 farms operators, 6007 list farming as their principle occupation while 530 farmers had other principle occupations. Growing tobacco and raising livestock have been the main farm enterprises. One of the most important resources in Laurel County is the highway system. London is located two miles east of Interstate 75, a major north south interstate highway. The Daniel Boone Parkway originates in London and extends to the east. Kentucky Highway 80, a AAA rated trucking highway with an 80,000 pound gross load limit, serves London to the east and west. Kentucky Highway 229, a AA rated trucking highway with a 62,000 pound gross load limit, extends from London to the south. Twenty two trucking companies provide interstate and/or intrastate service to the London area. London is within 600 miles of 53% of the United States population. Review of the Process How Was the Comprehensive Plan Developed The Laurel County Agriculture Development Council was organized in The council membership consists of individuals recommended by the Farm Service Agency, Laurel County Conservation District, Laurel County Extension Council and you farmers selected by the council membership. The Laurel County Agriculture Development Council has devised this plan for Laurel County. The plan identifies programs best suited for agricultural development in Laurel County. The council has developed local strategies for enhancing agricultural opportunities and assisting local farmers. The Laurel County Agriculture Development Council has reviewed statistical data on farming in Laurel County. Most of the information was obtained from the London Laurel County Demographic Report, Kentucky Agriculture Statistics and from U. S. Census reports. Page 3 of 6 Pages

4 Who Had Input Into the Plan The following organizations had input into the Laurel County Comprehensive Plan. Laurel County Cooperative Extension Council Laurel County Farm Services Agency Committee Laurel County Conservation District Laurel County Farm Bureau Cumberland Valley RC&D Council, Inc. United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, London Field Office Wilderness Trail Beef Cattle Marketing Alliance Laurel County Beef Cattlemen s Association London Laurel County Chamber of Commerce London Laurel County Farmers Market Committee Laurel County Agriculture Development Council Assessments of Agriculture in Laurel County Laurel County has land that is suited to several different types of agriculture production. One of its greatest strengths is the ability to grow top quality burley tobacco. Before the 65% cut in tobacco quotas, Laurel County grew over five million pounds of tobacco a year. Laurel County also has a very good beef cattle industry. There are over 21,000 beef cattle in the county and our land is very suitable. The cattle are able to graze over the land which cannot be row cropped. Laurel County is also suitable for fruit trees, landscaping plants, and nurseries. Laurel County also has large water reservoirs. This enables Laurel County farmers to have ample drinking and irrigation water during drought conditions. One of the greatest strengths Laurel County has is its geographical location. Laurel County is located on the intersection of I 75 and Kentucky Highway 80 and has easy access to major roads running north and south as well as east and west. Although Laurel County has several strengths, it also has a few weaknesses. Laurel County does have some land that is located in low, wet areas, which are a problem during wet seasons. The hillsides that are well suited for cattle production are anything but ideal for growing crops. Cattle production is the only suitable alternative for this land. Another weakness is the lack of strong vegetable markets. Laurel County has recently completed an expansion of its farmer s market, which is only a small outlet for what could be a large supply. Finally, one of the biggest weaknesses is that many times it is more economical for farmers to sell their land for subdivision development. The best opportunities for Laurel County seem to be in marketing beef cattle, vegetables, and forages. Being located on such major highways, the transportation of these products should be a definite advantage to the Laurel County farmers. When the farmers learn to work together toward the same goal, opportunities in this county will be plentiful. Finally, there are some definite threats to the future of agriculture in Laurel County. The loss of the tobacco program is a definite threat to Laurel County farmers. The farmland being bought up for subdivisions is also a huge threat to the livelihood of agriculture in Laurel County. If the Phase I money isn t used to support the farmers in finding new markets and ideas, the largest threat to agriculture will be the dwindling number of Laurel County farmers. In 2002, the average age of producers in Laurel County was Of the 1,137 producers in Laurel County at that time, only 41 were under the age of 35 years old, and only 2 were under the age of 25. Laurel County also has to find a way to renew Page 4 of 6 Pages

5 interest in agriculture for the younger generations. The vocational agriculture teachers in Laurel County schools have reported that the students do not see the importance of farming, and most think it is a thing of the past. If the younger generations do not carry on the torch, eventually there will be a shortage of food in America, the country known for its wealth, wisdom, and the land of plenty. County Council Objectives Mission Statement The mission of the Laurel County Agriculture Development Board is to help sustain existing agriculture in the county, while aiding the farmer in developing new sources of agricultural income for years to come. Short Term Priorities The council believes that our immediate or short term goals are to add profitability to the already existing agricultural income in the county while helping the farmers develop and investigate new sources for added income in areas that we do not presently participate in. Also Laurel County s shortterm goals will include informing the county as to the reason for the council s existence and the necessary steps to be taken in the application process. Long Term Goals Laurel County long term goals will include having several new opportunities in place for farmers that will provide enough income to compensate for the loss of other crop revenue. Laurel County will evaluate projects for the increased profitability of the program while continuing to educate farmers on new and upcoming enterprises. Tactics for Leveraging Funds The council will review proposals from applicants. The council will be looking for evidence that there will be matching of funds by the applicant and the level of his/her contribution will be a major determining factor for approval. All proposals will include a budget with anticipated income and expenditures. The council will also be receptive to applications that involve other areas if the applicant can show not only their contribution of funds but that other counties will be willing to match funds for a combined area enterprise. While the council is open to these kinds of proposals, they must be able to show a significant benefit for the farmers of Laurel County. We will also be working with the other state organizations that provide assistance to farmers to add profitability to the new and existing programs. Evaluation & Review How Will Proposals Be Evaluated Applications for cost share programs are submitted as funds become available. The Laurel County Agriculture Development Board meets on the third Thursday of each month. The applications received for that month are evaluated and forwarded to the state board for approval. The proposals will be evaluated on merit of the plan, matching funds, profitability and feasibility for this area. Page 5 of 6 Pages

6 How Will Success and Failure Be Measured The success or failure of a program is measured by the council based on growth or growth potential. The main determining factor for success of a program is if the farmer has been successful in increasing his income in this area and if there is room for further increase in the future. How Will the County Comprehensive Plan Be Revised The county comprehensive plan will be revised as needed. If it determined that relevant areas have been omitted and need to be addressed, they can be added at a later time. If a guideline contained in the plan is determined to be inadequate, the council will make appropriate modifications that are satisfactory to the members of the council and beneficial to the community. Page 6 of 6 Pages