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Monday, June 16, 2014

Agriculture could be key to improving Appalachian economies hurt by the loss of coal jobs

Communities in Appalachia that have suffered economically with the loss of coal jobs have been searching for other ways to improve their economies.

One solution could be agriculture, Bill Estep reports for the Lexington Herald-Leader. "Farm advocates and researchers say there is real potential for increased agricultural production in Eastern Kentucky to help diversify the economy—an issue that has gained increased urgency with a sharp drop in coal jobs since 2012. But realizing that potential would come with a lot of needs, including training, affordable financing for farmers and businesses, marketing assistance, and infrastructure such as processing facilities."

"Small-scale agriculture was once commonplace in Eastern Kentucky, with families raising the crops and livestock that provided most of their food, but that lifestyle withered away generations ago," Estep writes. But during and after World War II, the area suffered mass out-migration, as people went to war or to work for defense plants.

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2014/06/15/3293598/eastern-kentuckys-agricultural.html#storylink=cpy

"That legacy is apparent even today. Several Eastern Kentucky counties recorded less than $100,000 in the market value of agricultural products sold in 2012, compared with $100 million or more in several counties in Central and Western Kentucky," Estep writes. "But interest in locally produced, healthy food creates room for agriculture to grow in Eastern Kentucky these days, advocates say." Daniel Wilson, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension agent for agriculture in Wolfe County, told Estep, "I just think that there's a huge market for that."

Farmers' markets are one way to help the local economy, Estep writes. Martin Richards of the Community Farm Alliance told him that sales at eight markets in the region work with the alliance totaled $186,800 in 2013. "Studies have shown that money from farmers' markets stays in the community and helps create jobs, Richards said." (Read more)

Shaping Our Appalachian Region is an initiative aimed at diversifying and improving the economy in Appalachian Kentucky. The effort is hosting listening sessions this summer to get input from local communities on ways to improve the economy. Last week at a session in Morehead, taking the cattle industry to a new level was the most discussed topic.

"Most Kentucky cattle are raised on pasture then sold and shipped to large feedlots in the Midwest. Several people at the meeting endorsed the idea of a covered feedlot where cattle could be fed grain to fatten them for slaughter," writes Al Cross of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues. Working-group member Charles Miller said, “I believe there’s a tremendous opportunity here for a finished beef product." (Read more)

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2014/06/15/3293598/eastern-kentuckys-agricultural.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2014/06/15/3293598/eastern-kentuckys-agricultural.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2014/06/15/3293598/eastern-kentuckys-agricultural.html#storylink=cpy

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