Success StoryExpanding Agriculture Opportunities related to Economic Development



Expanding Agriculture Opportunities related to Economic Development

Author: Curtis Dame

Planning Unit: Hopkins County CES

Major Program: Ag Marketing

Plan of Work: Provide Resources and Training regarding Financial Literacy, Career Skills, and Business Management

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Agriculture and natural resources play a major, but hidden role in most local economies. The attributes that define this segment of the economy are easy to overlook given the fact that they are not in the form of large building projects, but rather standing trees or increasing numbers of cattle of local farms. With that said, efforts have been made locally by staff at the Hopkins County Cooperative Extension Service to provide data and assistance to local economic development authorities to help increase awareness of agriculture's impact and future possibilities.  Through cooperation with the Madisonville-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation, the Hopkins County agriculture and natural resources agent provided data and resources necessary to highlight agriculture at the 2018 installment of the Rural Entrepreneurship Conference hosted in Madisonville, Kentucky. The conference was attended by 48 individuals that represented local community colleges, economic development authorities, local government and many other groups. Questions raised included the issues related to product availability, weather patterns, future production goals and networking. Efforts will be made to host this event again and branch out to include business development opportunities in the future.






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