The Mammoth Cave Area has historically been at the top in tobacco production in KY.  County Ag Agents from Allen, Barren, Hart, Metcalfe, and Monroe Counties cooperated to host a regional Tobacco GAP Training. Tobacco GAP trainings are mandatory annual trainings required by the major tobacco purchasing companies.  Extension is charged with hosting and facilitating these very important trainings. The regional training is a partnership between UK Extension, UT Extension, GAP Connections, and the local extension agents.    

 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 3,400 acres of tobacco with a value of over $9,500,000 of tobacco. 

 Tobacco producers not only received information on new production recommendations and labor compliance strategies, but they also gained knowledge about resources for their migrant laborers.  The Barren County school district provided information to growers on resources they can utilize to provide assistance to migrant 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.”