ESTILL COUNTY AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

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1 ESTILL COUNTY AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL County Comprehensive Plan for Agriculture Revised June 20, 2008 Council Members: Jason French, Chair Fred Brown II, Secretary Roy Dixon, Jr. Donnie Arvin Jason Smith Jack Stickney Floyd Newton, Jr. Elwood O. Gould Extension Support Eric Baker OVERVIEW OF THE COUNTY Estill County, located in the eastern knobs and eastern coalfield region of Kentucky, transitions the bluegrass to the mountains. The Daniel Boone National Forest encompasses 4,816 acres of the county s 254 square mile land area. Estill County, named after Captain James Estill, was formed in 1808 from Madison and Clark counties. Captain James Estill was a gallant soldier and frontiersman. His group fought one of bloodiest Indian battles, Estill's Defeat, on March 22, 1782, in what is now Montgomery County. He and 7 of his 25 pioneers were killed in violent combat with a band of marauding Wyandots. Estill County was the 50 th county formed and later, parts of 5 counties were taken from Estill. Elevation ranges from 566 to 1511 feet above sea level. Estill County had one of the largest iron furnaces in the world when it was built back in 1856 by Irish stone-makers. It operated until 1873 and processed 1950 tons of iron. The charcoal furnace era ended by depletion of ore and timber and the growth of railroads.

2 Agricultural Data 2002 US Census of Agriculture states that Estill County has 457 farms totaling 64,105 acres. Of the total farmland, there are 28,144 acres of cropland and 29,245 acres of pastured land. As of 2007, farmers grow various crops such as tobacco (145 acres), corn (700 acres), soybeans (750), hay (10,000 acres), and alfalfa. Livestock production includes cattle (7,800), hogs (700), horses, goats, sheep, and poultry. In 2003, crop and livestock receipts were estimated at million dollars. Estill County is covered by 116,480 acres of woodland (72% of the county forested); therefore, wood and wood products are an important part of the local economy. New and emerging agriculture involve such enterprises as shiitake mushrooms, medicinal plants, meat goats, organic crops and livestock, vegetables/fruits, and freshwater prawns. Although several new enterprises have been tested, farm diversification efforts have been slow. Livestock production, with annual receipts of 2.25 million dollars, is the main income-generating agriculture enterprise for Estill County. Crop receipts are 1.61 million dollars. Sixty-eight percent of the farm operators are part-time producers. The average age of the farm operator is 56 years. Demographic Data Estill County has a population of 15,192 with 6,948 households. The average household earns $26,183 and contains 2.48 people. Employment data reflects that 60% of the workforce is employed by manufacturing, retail, and services. Around 57% of workers work outside the county. Approximately 24% of Estill County residents are living at the poverty level. The average unemployment rate is 6.5%. REVIEW OF THE PROCESS The Estill County Agriculture Development Council sought input from the community in developing the county comprehensive plan. Public meetings were held on the following dates: October 24, 2000 Crooked Creek Christian Church November 28, Food Mart January 23, 2001 River Drive Christian Church March 29, 2005 Estill County Fair Barn

3 Attendance for the meetings totaled over 100 people plus several separate opportunities to speak to community leaders and organizations. Articles were submitted in the local newspaper, Extension Newsletters, and a special mailing to all Estill County farm operators. Using surveys to solicit agriculture development ideas for use of the county funds, participants were encouraged to express their opinion regarding the use of the funds. ASSESSMENTS Strengths: Weaknesses Opportunities Threats 1. Kentucky River and tributary creeks 2. Forest/ Timber 3. Bottomland 4. People, including farmers experienced with tobacco, beef/forages, etc 5. Accessible through highways 52, 89, and 82. Interstate 75 only 20 miles west. Mountain Parkway only a few mile miles north of county line. 6. CSX Railroad 7. Wildlife 1. Community Recreation Facility 2. Job opportunities 3. Limited cropland 4. Limited agricultural markets 5. Lack of vocational school 6. People are apprehensive to change 7. Lack of infrastructure 1. Increased business/industry 2. Increasing population 3. Rising land values 1. Landfill 2. Bluegrass Army Depot 3. River Locks 4. Water quality issues 5. Residential development of farmland 6. Lack of countywide land-use planning and zoning

4 COUNTY COUNCIL OBJECTIVES Mission/Vision Statement The Estill County Agriculture Development Council seeks to encourage efforts that will improve and expand the agriculture base of this county and region. The Council plans to guide the utilization of funds for the purpose of improving our agriculture economy, short and long term. Short-term priorities 1. Inform the public of council objectives and purpose 2. Encourage the application process 3. Promote farm income improvement and diversification through the investment priorities listed below: INVESTMENT PRIORITIES Developing established agriculture sectors: Forage Improvement/Utilization Cattle Genetics Improvement Cattle Handling Facilities Hay, Straw, & Commodity Storage Fence Improvement New and emerging agriculture sectors: Goat Production Agriculture Diversification Value-added projects Preconditioned feeder calf sales Timber Utilization Direct marketing Local & Regional Farmer s Market Technical Support Administering programs, etc... Selected projects in other agriculture sectors Long-term goals

5 1. Improve the management, quality, sustainability, and productivity of crops, forages, livestock, and forests. 2. Support vocational training efforts. 3. Revise the comprehensive plan in accordance with the agriculture changes that may occur. 4. Utilize all available resources through cooperation and collaboration with the Extension Service, Conservation District, Farm Bureau, Estill Developmental Alliance, County Government, Daniel Boone National Forest, etc 5. Encourage local and regional marketing opportunities for all commodities. Tactics for leveraging funds Regarding county funds, the council sets the minimum cost-share contribution at 50% of the total project budget. The council encourages applicants to have other funding sources. The council supports local and regional partnerships that will ultimately benefit Estill County farmers. EVALUATION AND REVIEW Applications for county funds will be accepted as soon as the State Board approves the county comprehensive plan. Applications will be evaluated and assigned a priority score (low or high) according to the criteria below. The State Board will determine final approval of applications. FUNDING CRITERIA Number of people impacted by the proposal. Applicants share contributed to project. Can it become self-sustaining? Is it practical and have the necessary supporting documents? Will the proposal provide an opportunity to increase farm profitability? Will the applicant share knowledge gained and can it be duplicated? How well does it fit the county comprehensive plan?

6 All applicants will be required to include in their proposals a way to report the completion of their project, including impact. The council will review these reports as well as the State Board. All applicants will be required to sign a memorandum of agreement with the state to receive the funding. The county comprehensive plan will be reviewed periodically for possible revisions.