Washington County's portion of the 2017 Tobacco Settlement funds was $168,000.  The local Agriculture Development Board voted to use $102,000 for the local CAIP program and $65,000 for the Next Generation Farmer Program.  Each program was facilitated by the Washington County Cattlemen's Group and was a 50/50 cost share.  Farmers participating in the CAIP program spent $3000 and received $1500 while those in the Next Generation Program spent $5000 and received $2500.  Most of the monies were used for beef cattle operations upgrades, fencing, hay storage, and feeding etc.  For those participating in the program that wanted to buy cattle they had to have updated BQA Certification however many didn't.  As a result of this need the Horticulture Agent took the new BQCA training to be able to in return train the farmers of Washington County.  We extended the training to any farmer that wanted it and as a result 106 farmers attended the training and is now BQCA certified.