Tobacco cost-share programs have made significant positive impacts in the county.  Improved local infrastructure with fence, water, and facilities have allowed producers to operate more efficiently while in some cases providing safety to animals and local citizens.  Beef cattle have seen improved quality over the years with the genetics program; stockyard professionals stated it was evident what the program has done for cattle over the years. Mason County acquired a new program administrator for the tobacco settlement funds for 2023.  Soil Conservation will be administering the funds to local producers moving forward.   This year the Agriculture Development Council approved $318,150 to the County Agriculture Investment Programs (CAIP) funding 101 local producer applications.  The funds will be utilized on operations to purchase improved forages, increase herds, agriculture diversification projects, handling facilities, fence/water, and agriculture structures to name a few.  The funds allow the agriculture sector to continue to flow through difficult times.  In additions to supporting the CAIP, the Agriculture Development Council approved $26,500 for the youth program to foster future generations of farmers.