The problem

The Mammoth Cave Area has historically been at the top in tobacco production in KY.  Tobacco growers are annually required to complete a Tobacco GAP (Good Agriculture Practices) training.    County Agriculture Extension Agents are charged with providing opportunities for growers to receive this training.

The educational program response

Agents from Allen, Barren, Hart, Metcalfe and Monroe Counties (West 8) cooperated to host a regional Tobacco GAP Training.   The regional training is a partnership between UK Extension, UT Extension, GAP Connections, and the local extension agents.    Extension is charged with hosting and facilitating these very important trainings

The participants/target audience

 West 8 has historically been the major tobacco producing area in KY.  Tobacco GAP trainings are mandatory yearly trainings required by the major tobacco purchasing companies.

Other partners (if applicable)

University of Kentucky Extension, University of Tennessee Extension, GAP Connections, Barren County Schools, Glasgow Independent Schools

Program impact or participant response.

Growers who do not receive the annual training run the risk of not being able to market their tobacco.  The 2024 Mammoth Cave Area Tobacco GAP Training saw 57 growers meet their educational requirement for 2024.  These growers represented over 3400 acres of tobacco with a value of over $9,500,000 of tobacco.

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

 One grower stated as he was leaving, “We all complain about having to come to this every year, but y’all make sure we leave here know something new.  Thank you.”