Phase I County Comprehensive Plan Allen County, Kentucky December, 2007 Submitted by the Allen County Agriculture Development Council

Transcription

1 Phase I County Comprehensive Plan Allen County, Kentucky December, 2007 Submitted by the Allen County Agriculture Development Council Wilson Stone Chairman Shawn McPherson Secretary Joe Young Tommy Long Mark Cherry Brian Celsor Al Pedigo Loren Guy Steve Osborne CEA for Agriculture/Natural Resources 1

2 Allen County Agriculture Development Council Comprehensive Plan I. Overview of the County Allen County lies in the rolling topography of south central Kentucky. In 2005, the population of the county was 18,706. Farming remains a viable enterprise in Allen County s economic picture. In 2002, 54.3% of the individuals engaged in farming were doing so as their primary occupation. The median household income in 2000 was $31,238. The poverty rate in the county is 17.3% (1999) with 3,045 people living in poverty. Livestock, forages and tobacco has traditionally served as the core of agricultural enterprises in Allen County. At the present time these three enterprises remain in the fore front of agriculture locally. In addition, vegetable production is growing in importance. Allen County currently is ranked 4 th in Kentucky in all cattle and calves with 63,000 head and 8 th in the number of beef cows with 23,000 head. Allen county ranks 3 rd in the state in hog production; however, the majority of these animals are in the control of Pig Improvement Corporation. Chicken production is limited in Allen County with 3 farms containing poultry houses for pullet and broiler production in cooperation with Equity Group, Inc. In 2006, alfalfa was produced on as estimated 1,900 acres yielding 3.0 tons per acre. In addition, there were 42,000 acres in all other hay that produced an average of 2.2 tons per acre. In 2002, the value of sales of vegetables (cantaloupes, watermelons, tomatoes, etc.) reached $902, Timber production has played and will continue to play a role in the economy of Allen County. Of the 221,511 acres in the county, 78,520 acres or 35.4% are in woodlands. Allen County has approximately 819 million board feet of standing timber valued at $75 per thousand board feet or $122,986,140. There are approximately 25 commercial goat producers in Allen County. The goats are marketed at area livestock markets and off the farm to the ethnic market. The 2002 Agriculture Census reported $54,000 in returns from goat sales to Allen County. Non traditional agricultural enterprises are growing in the county with individuals searching out niches for themselves and their families to increase the returns off of their farms. Some of these range from new crops or livestock, to entertainment agriculture activities to valueadded procedures from existing crops. Equine does have a place in Allen County Agriculture. While most horses are kept for pleasure purposes, seed stock sales in horse and mules amounted to $283,000 in 2002 according to the Agriculture Census. Urbanization is increasing across much of the county with growth rapidly expanding along the Hwy 231 corridor to Bowling Green and along 31 E North toward Barren River Reservoir. Allen County is projected to be among the fastest growing counties in the state with population doubling within the next twenty years. 2

3 II Review of the Process: The Farm Service Agency County Committee, Allen County Conservation District, and the Allen County Extension Council each selected two individuals to serve on the local Agriculture Development Council. Their first duty was to select two young farmers to serve on the council with them to represent the interest of young producers in the county. This group met with Jeff Hall with the University of Kentucky to discuss the duties of the county council and it s relationship with the state council. The council discussed the direction that they felt that county s agricultural industry is moving. The council has had news articles in the paper and reports on the radio discussing the Phase I tobacco settlement and it s impact on Allen County. A meeting with community leaders and representatives of government agencies, banks, utilities and agricultural industry was held to inform them of the Phase I program and receive their input on the areas for which the monies should be concentrated. A public meeting was held to receive input and feedback from local citizens on the strengths and the barriers to agriculture in Allen County, as well as the areas of agriculture that should be highlighted. During the numerous committee meetings, the council has reviewed county statistics concerning agriculture, social and economic data for the county and the citizens input from the public forums. In addition, an informal survey was completed by an Extension leader concerning the present status of horticulture in Allen County. The council was able to utilize this information to help evaluate the prospects of horticulture in the future of agriculture in the county. All of the information gathered at meetings and forums, as well as the statistics and surveys was used to help develop this plan which targets the areas in the county s agricultural industry that deserve additional emphasis and funding. III. Assessments Strengths Allen County has a strong forage base that will support large numbers of cattle and still supply hay for winter feeding or cash hay sales. The existing cattle in the county form a strong base for expansion and realizing added value due to backgrounding, and alternative marketing techniques, etc. Allen County is blessed with abundant water resources for livestock production. The addition of public water supplies to most areas in the county provides a reliable source of livestock water during times of limited precipitation. Barren River reservoir borders the eastern and northeastern sections of the county. With 35% of the county in woodlands, Allen County supports a healthy timber industry. Allen County is situated in a desirable location with easy access to Bowling Green, Nashville, and Louisville. The road system in some areas of the county is very good with Hwy 31E running from the north to the south of the county. In addition the new U.S lane limited access highway provides a much faster and safe regional link to Bowling Green and Interstate 65 and the North/South corridor. The county is blessed with an outstanding school system to provide the county with future leaders 3

4 and a skilled workforce. The county excels not only in agriculture but in all areas with outstanding leadership. Weaknesses While some areas of the county have an excellent primary road system, other areas contain roads that are not rated to carry the weight loads associated with today s agricultural enterprises. The terrain of the county, as well as, some soil types, preclude the adoption of many row crops. With an average age of 54.5, fewer and fewer young people are choosing agriculture as a viable option for their future. A portion of the county s farmers lack modern marketing skills and avenues that are necessary to survive in agriculture today. Opportunities There is opportunity for the development of value added income for the county s beef and forage producers by the adoption of production and marketing techniques such as the use of increased grazing techniques and backgrounding. With increasing development in the future for much of Allen County, expansion can be predicted for the horticulture industry. As development increases so do housing starts. Each house will potentially have a need for landscape plantings from trees and shrubs to bedding plants. Each of the families occupying these housing units will potentially desire to purchase locally grown produce and seasonal items such as pumpkins. As the urbanization increases so does the opportunities for recreational agricultural ranging from trail rides and hunting leases to school trips. With abundant water resources, there is room for growth in aquaculture in the areas of pay lakes, as well as fish and shrimp production for wholesale and retail markets. New and different marketing avenues could be explored by the county s producers. Existing markets, such as the farmers market, could be expanded and encouraged to add value to existing crops. Threat A major threat to the health of Allen County s production agriculture is the urbanization of the county especially along the corridors beside HWY 31 E North and HWY 231 West toward Bowling Green. The division of farmland for subdivisions with the corresponding increase in the price of land is threatening to make farming many of the areas prohibitive for agricultural purposes. As development increases, often does the tension between farms and their non farm neighbors. Many of these non farm neighbors have often relocated from the more urban areas or are at least one to two generations from the farm. Their attitudes and other conceptions, often based on incomplete information concerning agriculture, can be less than favorable to modern agricultural methods. With the increase of many new residents in the county s rural areas, the misuse by homeowners of chemicals associated with lawns, gardens, livestock, etc. could threaten water supplies in the county. With increasing environmental regulations, whether local, statewide or nationwide, farmers are feeling the pinch as to what they may do for a living on their farms. They are concerned with the cost of meeting these regulations to continue in their present enterprises. Farmers are also dealing with threats as varied as adverse weather conditions and a price squeeze resulting from increased input costs (fuel, fertilizers, etc.) and static prices received for the commodities resulting from their efforts. In addition, many farmers view zoning regulations as a barrier to expansion of their present operation and/or the creation of new enterprises. 4

5 IV. County Council Objectives: The council seeks to encourage the rural atmosphere that exists in Allen County. We hope to assist in the preservation of viable family farms. While expanding and preserving existing farm enterprises, the council hopes to provide encouragement for the development of new, nontradition farm enterprises. In addition, the council desires to provide the necessary support for the creation of enterprises that add value to both existing and new enterprises. It is hoped that a more diverse agriculture economy that offer opportunities for a wide representation of Allen County citizens will be present in the county in the future. Mission The Allen County Agriculture Development Council aspires to provide opportunities for the agricultural producers of Allen County in the expansion of existing enterprises, the development of added value to these enterprises and the creation of new agricultural enterprises. Vision The Allen County agricultural sector will be a valued member of the community providing a profitable livelihood for many of the citizens of the county for years to come. Local producers will explore opportunities to utilize the available resources in traditional and nontraditional agriculture. Improved local, regional, and national marketing outlets and the increase in value added proceeds will aid local producers in capturing the greatest returns from their enterprises. Short Term Priorities The short term priorities of the Allen County Agriculture Development Council will include the support of local tobacco producers as they expand other aspects of their farming operations including but not limited to beef and forage production. However, tobacco production remains viable in the county and provides a significant contribution to the local economy. One area that we would like to see advancement would be improving the genetic base of the livestock in Allen County with methods such as cost share programs utilizing genetically superior sires and/or females. Allen County beef producers need to explore differing marketing avenues. The council can envision programs that assist producers to adapt to the use of new technologies (i.e. electronic identification, computerized record keeping) that allow participation in new marketing possibilities. To be able to participate in special sales (i.e. CPH) and other group marketing efforts, the local producers need to upgrade the health programs for their livestock. Limited livestock working facilities is a major deterrent to implementing a herd health program. The local council strongly encourages the development of programs targeting cattle working facilities. Since reports have shown that consumers have trouble locating locally grown meat products the development of direct marketing systems from the producer to the consumer is promoted. To provide adequate quality feedstuffs for the county s livestock, opportunities exist for programs that enhance the forage stands, increase utilization, improve harvesting options and develop facilities for storing harvested hay and silage. Examples of forage related programs that would be well received include forage establishment/improvement, group purchase of 5

6 forage equipment such as no till drills and bale wrappers, grazing system establishment, pasture water development, forage storage/marketing systems. The Allen County Agriculture Development Council welcomes as effort to upgrade cattle working facility equipment for the livestock herds in the county. The Allen County ADC encourages the use of local Phase I funds to maintain and/or improve the infrastructure of the local tobacco enterprises. These funds could be used to address limitations to tobacco barn capacity, greenhouse facilities, irrigation harvesting equipment and aids, stripping and marketing tools, labor issues, etc. We will encourage the expansion of the horticultural enterprises that have developed in the county. Specifically, group applications for the purchase of horticulture production equipment will be viewed very favorable. Groups are encouraged to develop comprehensive marketing proposals that touch on items from marketing campaigns to group marketing efforts to marketing infrastructure for horticultural crops. The areas that should be explored include floriculture, nursery crops, vegetable crops, fruit crops, landscape and nursery sales and service, and greenhouse production and marketing. The increase in the acres of horticultural crops requires an increase in available pollinators to successfully produce a profitable crop. This will require an increase in the numbers of bees available for rent from local bee keepers. The Allen County Agriculture Development Council would like to see emphasis on the further development of the existing Allen County Farmer s Market ranging from community visibility to improved facilities. The Allen County Agriculture Development Council promotes the development of new and unique proposals that target undervalued segments of Allen County agriculture. These areas could range from increasing returns from woodlands to establishment of agri entertainment and agri tourism opportunities. Programs that target the development of timber stand improvement group efforts are needed urgently in the county as well as the rest of the state. The local council encourages local producers to join forces in the development of proposals to increase the net income from their farm businesses. Long Term Goals The long term goal of the council will be the increased efficient use of forage based agricultural economy through the use of improved cattle and forage production practices. The ability to maintain and improve present agriculture enterprises (i.e. tobacco, dairy, swine, equine, etc.) must also be preserved. With anticipated increase in urban growth in Allen County, an increase in local agricultural production and the number of agribusiness that cater to the urban and nonfarm population is envisioned. As Kentucky and Allen County turns toward supplying horticultural products to local, regional and national markets, the development of infrastructure to aid in the success of these ventures will be necessary. Tactics for Leveraging Funds The Allen County Agricultural Development Council will require proposals to show matching cost share equal to 50% of the total project with a minimum of 25% of the project being out of pocket cash contribution. Cost share will be made in accordance with the guidelines established by the State Agriculture Development Council. Individuals will be limited to a maximum of $10,000 per year from all County Agricultural 6

7 Development funds. In most cases, family operations, including spouses and children, will be considered as an individual for the purpose of funding limitations. However, in cases where individual family members farm multiple operations, the term individual will be determined on a case by case basis for determining funding limitations. In some instances (i.e. educational and non profit organizations), direct grants will be supported. Proposals should clearly outline where or who the funds will be directed toward and who will be responsible for seeking Phase I funds from multiple counties and/or the State Agricultural Development Council, evidence of benefit to Allen County must be shown. Except in the cases of model programs, funds will be allocated for expenses incurred prior to project application approval. Once application is approved, individual or groups may begin purchasing supplies, materials, etc., to submit for reimbursement. Evaluation and Review The Council will consider each proposal, whether applying for cost shares or grant, and determine it s priority for funding as each proposal relates to the county comprehensive plan. The council may reserve the right to change the priority that the proposal would receive in additional years of funding relative to the performance of the proposal. The council expects an annual report on the status of each project in the following forms: producer involvement, and project activities. Depending on the proposal, the council may also require a financial statement of the project periodically. The proposal will name goals which can be measured and reported to the council. 7

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