Success StoryCounty Agricultural Investment Program Continues to Improve Efficiency and Increase Profitability



County Agricultural Investment Program Continues to Improve Efficiency and Increase Profitability

Author: Courtney Jenkins

Planning Unit: Agriculture and Natural Resources Programs

Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture

Plan of Work: Promoting Sustainable, Healthy Lifestyles and Communities

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

Agriculture is a critical aspect of Magoffin County’s rural economy, as crops and livestock are vital sources of income for local farm families. Burley tobacco accounted for nearly 75% of the county’s farm income prior to the ending of the price support system and the buyout. The tobacco buyout, though economically devastating for some farmers, fostered the development of legislation designed to aid farmers in transitioning from tobacco production to other farm enterprises. The legislation then lead to a standardized program known as the County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP).

From 2014 to 2018, with the guidance of the ANR Agent, the Magoffin County Agricultural Investment Program, Inc. has administered nearly $420,000 ( and more than $1,000,000 since 2009) in CAIP funds to approximately 150 producers, which allowed the producers to diversify their operations or invest in areas such cattle genetics, fencing, forages, hay storage facilities, cattle handling facilities, and much more. The funds have been used in the county to improve on-farm efficiency and profitability, as well as both local and regional projects. The countless improvements made possible through the program have had a tremendous impact on the farming community. It would be nearly impossible to accurately measure all of the long-term outcomes, but brief conversations with farmers who have received CAIP funds from 2014-2018 revealed that:

28 farmers now feel safer when working cattle because of the handling facilities they were able to incorporate into their farm infrastructure as a result of the funds.

21 farmers have reported recognizing drastic improvements in their cattle herd genetics over the course of five years, which would not have been possible without the Kentucky Ag Development Board funds. 

17 farmers reported that having the infrastructure to store hay has significantly increased their return on hay production and lessened the amount of waste to a fraction of the waste conveyed in previous years. 

12 farmers were able to improve more than 500 acres of hay and pasture, increasing yields and profits. 






Stories by Courtney Jenkins


Farmers' Market Continues to Grow

about 5 years ago by Courtney Jenkins

The increase in grocery store food prices, coupled with the recent local food movement, has driven c... Read More


Extension Responds to Cattle Crisis After Wettest Year on Record

about 5 years ago by Courtney Jenkins

2018 was Kentuckys wettest year on record. This resulted in livestock producers dealing with excessi... Read More


Stories by Agriculture and Natural Resources Programs


Basics of Floral Design

Basics of Floral Design

about 5 years ago by Kendal Bowman

Success StoryBasics of Floral DesignKendal Bowman, Cooperative Extension Service Intern 2018Clark Co... Read More


Maple Season in Kentucky

Maple Season in Kentucky

about 5 years ago by Kevin Gurtowski

As the new year begins and the winter sets in, folks in eastern Kentucky start to stir about about t... Read More


Stories by Sustainable Agriculture


WAVE 4 River Counties Ag Initiative

WAVE 4 River Counties Ag Initiative

about 5 years ago by Mattea Mitchell

According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, Hickman County had 246 farm operations on 118,474 acres... Read More


Utilizing Tobacco Settlement Dollars to Build Youth Opportunities in Agriculture

Utilizing Tobacco Settlement Dollars to Build Youth Opportunities in Agriculture

about 5 years ago by Christin Herbst

According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, there are 50,908 acres of land in 308 farms in Carroll ... Read More