Study: Settlement Helps 50,000 Tobacco Farmers

Source from:  Associated Press 11/21/2008

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- A University of Kentucky study finds that more than 50,000 current and former Kentucky tobacco farmers have benefited from the state's share of a decade-old settlement with tobacco companies. The results of the study were announced Thursday at a meeting of the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board in Bowling Green. The report largely praises the way Kentucky has spent its $209 million share of the settlement. It particularly praises the $86 million invested directly into agribusiness, where every dollar spent returned nearly two dollars. Researches concluded the settlement has produced 1,300 new jobs and created some 500 new animal and crop-based products in Kentucky. New markets ranged from naturally cured hams to glue made out of low-quality wheat. Enditem