Woodford County Agriculture Development Council Comprehensive Plan December 31, 2007

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1 1 Woodford County Agriculture Development Council Comprehensive Plan Woodford County Agriculture Development Council Comprehensive Plan December 31, 2007 Submitted by: Council Chairman Jon Maybrair Council Vice Chairman Michael Mitchell Council Secretary Rusty Thompson Council Member Mark Lay Council Member Vernon Leach Council Member Bryan Richardson Council Member Graddy Prewitt Council Member Darrell Varner Advisor/Facilitators: Woodford County Extension Agent for Horticulture Patti Meads Woodford County Extension Agent for Agriculture/Natural Resources Ben Meredith

2 2 Woodford County Agriculture Development Council Comprehensive Plan County Overview Woodford County is located in Central Kentucky, 15 miles west of Lexington. The county is bordered on the west by the Kentucky River and northeast by Elkhorn Creek. Transportation corridors include U.S. 60 and U.S. 62, Interstate 64 and the Bluegrass Parkway. The county seat of Woodford County is Versailles and was established in 1792 making it one of the oldest communities in Kentucky. Other towns include Midway (northern end of the county) and Nonesuch (southern end of county). Agriculture is the foundation of the community. The University of Kentucky Animal Research Center, located in Woodford County, is a 1500 acre state-of-the-art facility dedicated to beef, swine, sheep, and forage research. On-going projects there also include environmentally friendly research in nutrient and waste management as well as sub-surface crop irrigation. Woodford County agribusinesses serve local producers as well as international clients. New livestock feed technology, biotechnology research, and diverse entrepreneurship opportunities position agriculture at the gateway for expansion in the near future. Successful agritourism businesses such as orchards and vineyards also abound in Woodford County. County population is 23,208 with 21,371 white, 1,256 black and 695 Hispanic. Woodford County has typically the lowest unemployment and the highest literacy rate of any county in the Commonwealth. Education is provided by the public Woodford County School System and one private school St. Leo, Versailles Montessori school and Midway College. Woodford County also has a modern recycling center that collects over 1 million lbs. of material annually. The Woodford Sun, our weekly local paper has a circulation of 5,500. Lexington outlets provide media services to the county. The Lexington Herald newspaper has over 6,000 daily customers. County governments and the Cooperative Extension Service maintain accurate and up-to-date websites for the benefit of Woodford County residents. Woodford County, like many others in the area, is under constant pressure for development. It would be an understatement to state that significant debate erupts whenever there is an effort to convert farmland into development. For the most part, the people of Woodford County support their rural heritage, and seek to keep things that way. The equine industry is a significant force in the agricultural and overall power system of Woodford County. Many of the worlds most prominent Thoroughbred horse farms are located here. Much of the information presented here is updated using most current Census numbers from the Kentucky State data center. Information originally created Woodford County Agriculture Development Council Comprehensive Plan

3 3 Woodford County Agriculture Development Council Comprehensive Plan Agriculture Statistical Summary 2006 Livestock Cash Receipts $402,001,000 State Ranking 1 st 2006 Crop Cash Receipts $6,682,000 State Ranking 59 th 2006 Total Cash Receipts $408,683,000 State Ranking 1 st Total Number of Farms 708 Total Land in Farms 123,070 acres Average Size of Farm 174 acres State Average Corn Production 1,100 acres 148,500 bu Soybean Production 1,600 acres 81,600 bu Burley Tobacco Production 1,350 acres 2,974,500 lbs Alfalfa Hay Production 3,600 acres 13,680 tons 2006 Other Hay Production 20,000 acres 40,000 tons Jan. 01, 2007 Beef Cows 11,100 head data from Kentucky Agricultural Statistics Service and 2002 Census of Agriculture Agriculture Perspectives In Woodford County, the equine industry impacts much of the overall agricultural sector. Tremendous opportunities exist for traditional farmers in terms of cash hay sales due to the extensive network of horse farms in the area. Tobacco is still a viable economic enterprise on the farm; however it has changed significantly since the federal tobacco quota buyout. There are far fewer farmers raising tobacco than ever before. These growers that are left are eager to stay on the cutting edge to make their farming operations as efficient as possible. Tobacco farmers must watch their bottom line even closer without the protection of the federal price support system. Farmers in Woodford County are generally progressively minded and are actively looking for new ways to generate farm income. Agritourism is beginning to thrive. Farmers are also responding to the high prices of corn and soybeans and are stepping up production in those areas. Cattle farmers are looking to supplement their animal feeds with by-products so that they can sell the grain grown on the farm and increase overall profitability.

4 4 Woodford County Agriculture Development Council Comprehensive Plan Review of the Process This Comprehensive Plan revision was carried out by the Woodford County Agriculture Development Council. Council members were mailed a copy of the Comprehensive Plan and asked to compare that to current situations in agriculture and consider how funds have been spent. Council members discussed changes and suggestions at two consecutive monthly council meetings. These changes have been summarized in this plan revision. At these meetings, HB 611 was discussed. Each council member had input in the planning process. Suggestions were also accepted from past board members and others in the agriculture community. County Council Objectives Vision Statement: The Woodford County Agriculture Development Council will strive to maintain and enhance a community where agriculture is a valuable part by the following goals: Provide additional income opportunities for tobacco farmers who have loss of income due to declining tobacco programs. Connect the rural and urban populations in part through local produce marketing efforts. Encourage youth to pursue agriculture and agribusiness as a career pathway. Promote agricultural practices that are environmentally sound and sustainable. Be responsive and proactive to the changing needs of farmers. Increase overall farm profitability for farm families. The funds available through the state agriculture development board will be used to help farmers implement the research-based improved production practices on their farms by offsetting some of the initial costs. Evaluation and Review Proposals to the Woodford County Agriculture Development Council will be evaluated on their viability to increase farm production efficiency, enhance marketing opportunities, add overall value to farmers. Documentation of claims, promotion of local agriculture, compatibility with state and local plans and promotion of diversification will all be considered positive attributes. In the event that proposals need to be ranked in order above one another, preference will be given to tobacco farmers (due to original legislation), full-time farmers, and those cooperating together. This Comprehensive Plan has been a regrettably stale document but will, in the future, be reviewed each year and updated accordingly. Agriculture is changing at a faster pace than ever before and we as a Council of agriculture representatives must adapt to those changes. We cannot afford to be current; we must strive to be ahead of the curve.

5 5 Woodford County Agriculture Development Council Comprehensive Plan Summary of Woodford County Agriculture Development Council Expenditures Model Programs Cattle Genetics Improvement Total $149, $69, $34, $25, $20,000 Forage Improvement and Utilization Total $310, $128, $87, $45, $50,000 Agriculture Diversification Total $474, $259, $47, $75, $52,374 & $40, Cattle Handling Facilities Total $246, , $67, $29,000 Hay Storage Total $184, $75, $50, $59,265 On-Farm Water Enhancement Total $74, $35, $19, $20,000 Farm Livestock Fence Total $168, $76, $32, $60,000 Technology Total $ 20, $20,000 ** In 2006, model programs were grouped into menus to make funds more easily available and transferrable to producers.** Menus of Model Programs Menu #1 Agriculture Diversification and Farm Livestock Fencing Total $180, $130, $50,000 Menu #2 Cattle Handling, Genetics, Forage Improvement Total $165, $80, $85,000 Menu #3 Hay Storage and Technology Total $121, $ 71, $50,000 Menu #4 On-Farm Water Enhancement and Goat/Sheep Diversification Total $110, $60, $50,000 Final closeout amounts for 2007 may vary slightly from dollars reported.

6 6 Woodford County Agriculture Development Council Comprehensive Plan Summary of Woodford County Agriculture Development Council Expenditures Non - Model Programs $10,000 Equs Run Vineyards, LLC Expansion of winery $10,000 KY Thoroughbred Owners Mult-county pasture study $50,000 Woodford Co. Extension Install a commercial kitchen $17,375 Castle Hill Farm, Inc. Wine making $1,000 Boyd Orchard Install commercial kitchen $13,000 John Dance Expand Good-Ole-Days Agritourism

7 7 Woodford County Agriculture Development Council Comprehensive Plan Questions to be considered from G.O.A.P. 1. What investment of County funds has provided the most benefit? The least? What is the basis for determining benefit? The most benefit has been obtained from the investment in the various programs that support the beef cattle industry. Because of these programs, beef producers in Woodford County are more prepared to handle market shifts and produce a product that is competitive nationally. Many have established an infrastructure of safe working equipment, quality pastures, good fences, and enough water sources to rotationally graze to take full advantage of pastures. The least benefit has been derived from some of the businesses whom were funded, but are no longer in business. Benefit is determined based on the positive impact that the producer and the community feels after the program money is gone. In other words, benefit comes from lasting improvement, not just covering variable costs. 2. Does your current Comprehensive Plan address today s agricultural needs in your County? Yes. This revised plan addresses needs. However, agriculture of today is fast paced and dynamic. Constant revision will be necessary to meet the changing demands of our clientele. 3. What trends are taking place in your County? Are there outside influences? Current trends include a decline in tobacco production and a higher intensity on beef cattle and hay sales. Non-traditional areas have tremendous potential with new marketing opportunities and agritourism. Outside influences are always a concern. Urban sprawl challenges the availability of farmland. Foreign investors may invest in the prime farmland but have no ties to the community. 4. What are the top major effects that Agriculture Development Funds have had on your local agribusinesses and general economy? These funds have definitely helped to spur local agribusinesses. Without as much tobacco being grown, these businesses have had to rely more heavily on the other forms of agriculture, especially beef cattle production. The local economy has been impacted in a positive way. 5. Do the short-term and long-term priorities match your funding history? Yes. These goals are compatible with funding history. The County Council has not used the Comprehensive Plan when considering funding decisions in the past, but will use it more heavily in the future. 6. What effect has the federal tobacco buy-out had on your County that is not addressed in this plan? The buy-out has resulted in fewer tobacco farmers and those farmers remaining being more active in management of their crop. Also as a result, more farmers are using these funds to improve their beef cattle operations and examining new enterprises such as agritourism.