Breckinridge County is 44% cropland, producing forage, soybeans, corn, and wheat. However, Breckinridge farmers, when the tobacco buyout was finished, were deeper into tobacco production than any other time in history.  Tobacco production in the county accounts for 50% of the total farm income and is deeply rooted into the county.  With the absence of the tobacco quota system, producers have to rely on the contracts with the companies.  Contracts are hard to obtain, and also hard to keep, therefore anything a contract holder can do to keep their contracted pounds, they will do it. The Common GAP program, maintains the producers and/or the employees training record as well provide opportunities for their training.  Producers go through a simple audit with the company representative.  

The tobacco producers in the area began inquiring about the 3rd party Audit soon after the Common GAP meeting that was held in our county.  The on Farm AUDIT was now to be a fee based program.  This new program is not a requirement but maybe a check mark that the company makes to keep or not keep a grower on their program.  Twenty three of the 40 GAP audits that were contracted, was from Breckinridge County.  The tobacco farmer stays in constant contact with our services to obtain the information needed to complete the third party audit successfully.  The farms can receive the following training and information:  WPS for the workers, MSDS and Labels for all crop protection chemicals, warning signs, crop production resources, and a on site 'test run' before the actual Third Party Audit by the Extension Agent for Agriculture.  All farms that received assistance through our services passed the audit.  The auditor was impressed that the farmer and their spouse were so informed and organized during their audits. The auditors enjoyed working with the farm operator, opposed to a paid crop consultant, because the farm operator is ultimately responsible. 

All GAP certified farms have met and bargained again for a better price for their audits and they have told their success to an average of five (5) farms each.    

In the Spring of 2019, our county added seven (7) new growers to the list of farms that are paying to have an independent audit completed this year.  This success is due to the fact that the first 23 growers had a very success audit in the Fall of 2018.  

Our county continues to strive in their actions with the COMMON GAP program.  We are planning an area wide Common GAP meeting for the growers and their employees for parties to receive their required training to pass their Third Party Audit.  They chose our office site because of its size, easy access, room accommodations and it is centrally located for a vast majority of tobacco growers and employees.  We have met and added in topics that our growers feel is needed for their employees, such as food safety, sanitation, NTRM's and much more.