LAUREL COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

LAUREL COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Developed by the LAUREL COUNTY AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL December 21, 2000 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 Laurel County Farmer s Market Committee Laurel County Agriculture Development Council

LAUREL COUNTY AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN December 2000 Submitted by: Dean Johnson, Chairman Mike Calebs, Secretary Earl Bailey Lonnie Bowling Clemons Bundy Doug Day Tim Watkins Otis Williams

I. Overview of Laurel County a. Agriculture Statistics, Trends and Projections i. 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 1997 U.S. Census of Agriculture counted 1,083 farms in Laurel County. Census figures report that these farms sold $24.8 million dollars worth of agricultural products, an average of $22,900 per farm. Land in farms fell three percent, or 3,600 acres, from the 1992 Census. The average size of Laurel County farms was 88 acres, up from 79 acres in 1992. Laurel County s 1997 farm number estimate of 1,083 farms was down from the 1992 estimate of 1,252 farms. This reduction may be due to a change in the farm definition. This estimate adjusts for the incompleteness of the Census list and takes into account the numerous small operations not present in the Census count. The loss of farms under the previous farm definition was offset somewhat by the inclusion of new farms counted for the first time due to the definition change. Places with five or more horses or ponies and no other agricultural sales were included for the first time. In 1999, Laurel County farmers produced 4.2 million pounds of burley tobacco. In 2000 Laurel County has 1.75 million pounds of basic tobacco quota. This is a reduction of 3.15 million pounds from the 1997 basic quota of 4.90 million pounds. This reduction in tobacco quotas and production has resulted in a reduction of $5.8 million in gross farm income for the county. In January 1999, there were 10,800 beef cows in Laurel County. This reflects a 27% increase in the number of beef cows from 1989. In 1999 there were 500 milk cows in Laurel County that produced a total of 5.2 million gallons of milk. This is a drastic reduction from the 14 million gallons of milk produced in 1989. In 1998, 2,500 Laurel County farmers produced 163,200 bushels of corn. This is a 40% reduction of the 269,000 bushels of corn that Laurel County farmers produced just 10 years ago in 1989. In l998, Laurel County produced only 20,800 bushels of soybeans. ii. Tobacco Dependency - For decades the Laurel County agriculture economy has been heavily dependent on tobacco sales; however, between 1997 and 2000, tobacco quotas and the resulting income have been reduced drastically. In 1997, the basic tobacco quota for Laurel County was 4.9 million pounds. By 2000 the Laurel County tobacco quota has been reduced to only 1.75 million pounds. This represents a reduction of over 5.8 million dollars of gross receipts for Laurel County farmers.

b. Demographic Data i. Social Data - In 1998, Laurel County contained 50,734 people. Of this total 49,494 (97.6%) were classified as white, 304 (0.6%) were classified as black, 266 (0.5%) were classified as Hispanic and 143 (0.3%) were listed as American Indian. Laurel County s population increased by 629 people or 1.2% from 1997 to 1998. The population of Laurel County increased by 7,296 people from 1990 to 1998. This represents an increase of 16.8% over these eight years. It was projected that Laurel County would contain 52,792 people in the year 2000, 59,710 by year 2010 and 65,122 by the year 2020. The median age for all Laurel County citizens is 34.9 years old. In 1990 there were 15,585 households in Laurel County. There was an average of 2.75 people per household. Laurel County s crime rate is 315 per 10,000 population. This is only 62% of the national crime rate. Laurel County s violent crime rate is 15 per 10,000 population. The violent crime rate is only 23% of the national violent crime rate. Laurel County s property crime rate is 300 per 10,000 population. The property crime rate is 48% lower than the national property crime rate. According to the 1990Census, 87% of Laurel County citizens are rural. Only 13% are urban. The farm population consisted of 5% of the total population. Over 52% of Laurel County citizens 25 and over are high school graduates. Over 8% of the Laurel County population has obtained a bachelor s degree or higher. ii. Economic Data - In 1993, Laurel County had a median household income of $23,083. The Laurel County median household income is above the national poverty rate of $17,785. The Laurel County per capita income in 1993 was $15,573. From 1979 to 1995 the percentage of Laurel County households below the national poverty rate ranged from a low of 21.1% in 1979 to a high of 24.8% in 1989. According to the U.S. Census Bureau 27.8% of the students in Laurel County public schools live below the national poverty line rate. In 1995, there were 10 agriculture and forestry service establishments in Laurel County. In 1990, 362 employed persons 16 years and over were listed as in farming or forestry occupations. Also in 1990, there were 333 Laurel County workers employed in agriculture and forestry industry positions. According to the 1998-1999 Kentucky Agriculture Statistics, Laurel County had $19,252,000 in agriculture cash receipts. Crop receipts were $12,885,000 and livestock receipts were $6,367,000. Laurel County ranks 65 th out of Kentucky s 120 counties in agriculture receipts.

c. Inventory of Resources Laurel County is located in the southeastern part of Kentucky. Laurel County 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 temperate 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 1997, Laurel County had 1,083 farms with an average size of 88 acres. The average value of land and buildings per acre was $1,664. Of Laurel County s 1,083 farm operators, 377 list farming as their principle occupation while 706 farmers had other principle occupations. Almost half (487) of Laurel County s farmers work 200 or more days off the farm. Growing tobacco and raising livestock are 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. II. Review of the Process a. How was the Comprehensive Plan Developed The Laurel County Agriculture Development Council was organized in 2000. The council membership consists of individuals recommended by the Farm Service Agency, Laurel County Conservation District, Laurel County Extension Council and young 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 agriculture development in Laurel County. The council has developed local strategies for enhancing agricultural opportunities and assisting local farmers. The Laurel County 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 US Census reports. b. 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 Cattle Association London-Laurel County Chamber of Commerce Laurel County Farmer s Market Committee Laurel County Agriculture Development Council III. 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 is well over 21,000 beef cattle in the county and our land is very suitable. The cattle are able to graze over the land which can not be row cropped. Laurel County land 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 Hwy. 80. Laurel County 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 opened a farmer s market. The farmer s market 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 seems 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 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. Laurel County also has to find a way to renew 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." IV. County Council Objectives a. Mission Statement To help sustain existing agriculture in the county, while aiding the farmer in developing new sources of agricultural income for years to come. b. 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 short-term 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. c. Long Term Goals Laurel County long term goals will include having in place several new opportunities for the farmers which are providing enough income to compensate for the loss of other crop revenue. Laurel County will evaluate projects for the increased profitability of that program while continuing to educate farmers on new and upcoming enterprises. d. 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 shall include budgets and 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 also 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. V. Evaluation & Review a. How will proposals be evaluated Applications will be accepted in January and February of 2001 for proposals for implementation for the 2001 growing season. The Laurel County Agriculture Development Council meets the third Thursday of each month. The applications received for that month will be evaluated at that time. Approved applications will then be sent to the state board for approval. The proposals will be evaluated on merit of the plan, matching funds, profitability and feasibility for this area. b. How will success and failure be measured Once the programs are in existence, the success or failure of the program will be measured by the council and 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. c. How will the county comprehensive plan be revised The county comprehensive plan may be revised if needed once the program is up and running. If we see that we have omitted areas that need to be addressed, they can be added at a later time. If there is a problem with a guideline set forth in the plan, the council will then meet and correct the issue while reaching an adjustment that is satisfactory to the members of the council and beneficial to the community.