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.