The Mammoth Cave Area has historically been at the top in tobacco production in Kentucky.  Agents from Allen, Barren, Hart, Metcalfe and Monroe Counties collaborated to host a regional Tobacco Good Agricultural Practices Training.  Tobacco GAP trainings are required annually by the major tobacco purchasing companies. The Cooperative Extension Service is charged with hosting and facilitating these very important trainings.   

Growers who do not receive the mandatory training run the risk of being unable to market their tobacco.   The Mammoth Cave Area Tobacco GAP Training saw 85 growers meet their educational requirement for 2022.  These producers represented over 4,300 acres of tobacco with a value of over $14,000,000. 

 Growers not only received information on new production recommendations and labor compliance strategies, but they were also made aware of resources for their migrant labor.  The Barren County School District provided information to growers on resources they can provide to assist the families of their employees. 

One grower stated, “Thank you all for putting this together so we can get this taken care of before we get really busy with the growing season.”