According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, Hickman County had 246 farm operations on 118,474 acres representing 88% of the county's total land. Total value of crop sales were $56,171 and animal sales were $102,692. Hickman County is a predominately farming community with production of row crops, livestock, poultry, and hog barns.

When looking at the four river counties as one, 83.53% of the land is used for crop production. Last year, there were $359,967,000 of products sold across 960 farms. It is easy to say that agriculture in the four river counties hold a strong presence at a $1 billion impact! To acknowledge this impact, stakeholders from each county joined together to celebrate the agriculture heritage of the four river counties and created the WAVE Initiative. Out of this initiative, the WAVE 4-River Counties Ag Day was created.  

The 2^nd year for the event, WAVE River Counties Ag Day, was held at Carlisle County Fairgrounds in Bardwell, KY on July 19 from 7:30 am to 2:00 pm. The theme “Lets Grow With It” was chosen yet again as it encompasses the goal of the WAVE committee: to utilize what we have at hand in the four river counties and grow upon it… agriculture!  

The WAVE Ag Day was a joint venture including all four County Judge Executives, the University of Kentucky Agriculture Extension Agents in each county, various Ag businesses, several local banks, the county Farm Bureaus, the Ballard Chamber of Commerce, River Valley Ag Credit, Murray State University, and Ballard school officials.  Numerous planning meetings were held throughout the year.  Sponsors were obtained to help fund the Ag Day. The platinum sponsors presented four awards: Farmer of the Year, Ag Business of the Year, Friend of Agriculture and a Young Farmer award. 

The day started off with a sponsored breakfast to honor and show appreciation for our local farmers, producers and Ag businesses in the four river counties. With an attendance of over 500 people, the group listened to keynotes by Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, and Warren Beeler about strong agricultural and economic development chances for the counties. On hand were other legislators and the County Judge Executives.

Following the breakfast and awards program, people could browse vendor booths set up to tell agriculture’s real story.  Over sixty exhibitors and vendors were set up for the public to visit and view. Jason Hodge with the Kentucky Ag Mobile Classroom was set up; as well as Dale Dobson with a roll over tractor simulator and lawn mower safety demonstration. There was food, fun, and things to do all centering on agriculture. Even though it was extremely hot those surveyed agreed agriculture plays a big part in our counties. Bob Wilson form Ballard County School system said "The day was a great success."  Everyone is looking forward to the event next year. The WAVE Four River Counties Ag Day will be held in Hickman County at Columbus Belmont State Park on July 18^th, 2019.