Success StoryCounty Funds Improving Local Farms



County Funds Improving Local Farms

Author: Laura Maggard

Planning Unit: Lawrence County CES

Major Program: Small Farm Management

Plan of Work: Enhance the Strong Agicultural and Natural Resource Base

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

For many years, funds derived from the Tobacco Settlement Fund have helped improve small family farms. Farmers who would not normally be able to make large improvements to their farms are able to apply for county funds to build barns, purchase heifers, and build fence. During the winter of 2019, the Lawrence County Agricultural Development Council voted to offer the County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP). Lawrence County Farm Bureau applied to administer the $120,000.00 that was available to Lawrence County.The Lawrence County ANR Extension Agent worked with farmers to make sure they had their educational classes and worked with them on how to best make these improvements and to make sure all paperwork was done properly. 

 During the application period, 27 producers were approved, 11 were put on a waiting list, and 3 were denied. A total of $78,342.35 was reimbursed back to farmers for various projects. The 27 farmers who were approved completed a total of 33 projects ranging from fencing, hay storage, forage improvement, bulls, on farm water, and others. One farmer said, he "wouldn't have been able to do what he has done without these funds." These projects have been able to increase profits for farmers, increase productivity of hay fields and pastures, and overall improve their farming operation.






Stories by Laura Maggard


Lawrence County Farmer's Market

Lawrence County Farmer's Market

about 6 years ago by Laura Maggard

The Lawrence County Farmers Market has been around for many years. It has provided the residents of ... Read More


What's All the Buzz About?

What's All the Buzz About?

about 6 years ago by Laura Maggard

Sadly, over the past 15 years, colonies of bees have been disappearing, and the reason remains unkno... Read More


Stories by Lawrence County CES


Family Fishing Day

Family Fishing Day

about 6 years ago by Alivia Faris

According to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionchildrens mental health is ... Read More


Lawrence County Farmer's Market

Lawrence County Farmer's Market

about 6 years ago by Laura Maggard

The Lawrence County Farmers Market has been around for many years. It has provided the residents of ... Read More