Author: Robert Pearce
Planning Unit: Plant and Soil Sciences
Major Program: Tobacco
Outcome: Initial Outcome
US Tobacco GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) is an industry led program designed to insure that tobacco growers in the United States are well informed and follow the best practices for the production of all types of tobacco. Kentucky is the second leading producer of tobacco behind North Carolina, but has the most tobacco growers of any state due to the relatively smaller farm size. Tobacco growers are required to attend an annual training session conducted by Cooperative Extension Specialists. I contributed three video training modules to GAP Connections to support online self-directed training for growers who chose this method of training. I also conducted 10 in-person training sessions impacting approximately 400 growers in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. Dr. Andy Bailey, Dr. Mitchell Richmond (University of Tennessee) and I recorded a zoom training session that was utilized in county Extension offices to train an additional 50+ growers who were unable to attend in-person training. Through this combination of training methods, we helped growers get their required training prior to the June 30th, 2024, training deadline so they could continue to grow tobacco.
In 2022 we grew a one-acre plot of fiber hemp on the MGCAFE North Farm that was cut, baled and deliv... Read More
In 2020, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture reported that 4,500 acres of hemp were harvested in ... Read More
Kentucky hay contests encompass 584 samples in 2023Specialists Involved: Jimmy Henning, Chris Teutsc... Read More
Fescue eradication and improved management increases profits for Central Kentucky Thoroughbred FarmS... Read More
Tobacco is an important source of farm income in Todd County. Todd County ranks 4th in Kentucky for ... Read More
The problemTobacco production expenses have become increasing impossible to cover with the yield and... Read More