Washington County's portion of the 2018 Tobacco Settlement funds was $205,500.  The local Agriculture Development Board voted to use $153,000 for the local CAIP program and $52,500 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.  Participants had to attend at least one educational meeting to qualify for the programs and for those that wanted to by cattle they had to have updated Beef Quality Assurance Certification.  As a result the Horticulture Agent Offered a BQA Certification Class (26 completed), Dr. Steve Isaacs discussed the importance of farm record keeping (41 participants), and the Horticulture Agent did a pesticide certification program (27 participants). Farmers used the monies they received to improve their herds, updated cattle handling and hay facilities, dig ponds, and run city water to the farm.