State Trying to Help Farmers End Dependency on Tobacco

Source from:  By Greg Wells, gwells@bgdailynews.com 02/28/2005

$4.6 million has been sent to Warren, surrounding counties since 2001 Ending dependence on tobacco isn't just a problem for smokers – it's also a challenge for farmers. The state is trying to help. A little at a time, since 2001, about $4.6 million has been sent to help farmers in Warren and surrounding counties to leave the tobacco growing habit behind, funding that was the result of a settlement with cigarette manufacturers. Agriculture Development Funds, administered by county committees and supported by Phase I settlement funds, are the source of that money. Those committees have used the money to fund catfish farms, improve cattle production, provided for improved marketing of new products and various other things. "We started an aquaculture project," said Connie Davis of Pig in Edmonson County. "Three that went into this project are still doing it here. If we hadn't gotten assistance from Ag Development, we wouldn't still be in it." She said she and her husband used to run a dairy, but moved to poultry when milking became less profitable for smaller farms. Davis said they decided against catfish farming as being too labor-intensive, but settled on raising shrimp. Ben Hunt, chairman of Butler County's Agricultural Development Committee Board, said one farmer who had previously raised tobacco used development money to open a catfish growing and processing operation. Farmers have more than one avenue to obtain funding. Logan County Agricultural Extension Agent Chris Milam explained that there are "model programs," drawn up by the state and more likely to be funded because they're proven ways to improve profitability or diversification on a farm. These types of programs are applied for by a sponsoring group, like the Farm Bureau, Cattlemen's Association or even a local chamber of commerce, Allen County Agriculture Extension Agent John "Steve" Osborn said. "We have an eight-member board that evaluates the impact of a proposal on the county and they assign a priority to it before passing it along to the board in Frankfort," Osborn said. "The local council's recommendation is given a good bit of weight by the state when they are deciding what to fund," he added. Once a proposal is put together, reviewed by the local board and funded by Frankfort, then the sponsoring group starts taking applications from local farmers who want to participate. Another program under the Kentucky Agriculture Development Board offers statewide initiatives designed to assist farmers transitioning into new farm products. Those include programs like the Kentucky Beef Network, which gives technical advice to cattle producers across the commonwealth. Warren County Ag Extension Agent Joanna Coles said a locally generated diversification program was approved last month for any kind of nontraditional agricultural production in the county. An educational session is set for March 8. Attendance is required for application to the program. This program will provide up to $3,000 in matching funds for farmers to diversify their operations. Those interested should call soon – applications close March 22. Coles said Warren County has been approved previously for a drainage assistance program and began taking applications last month at the Soil Conservation Office for a match of up to $5,000 for installing drainage tile, a plastic piping installed in fields to prevent standing water. The programs benefit a broad range of agri-businesses, usually through money from the fund, also known as a cost-sharing. "A lot of our producers have been able to cost-share things to make their operations more profitable and safer for livestock and themselves," said Barren County Ag Extension Agent Gary Tilghman. Forage improvement has had the most participation in Barren County, he added. The state is looking for projects that affect more than one farmer, Osborn said. Most county boards meet monthly and information about those meetings is available at extension offices. Enditem