We have a laying flock of Araucana chickens and will add Buff Orpingtons. We market eggs to individuals now and hope to sell to a whole-foods store when we achieve organic certification. The soil is primarily clay with many rocks. This farm had been overgrazed when we bought it, but will support excellent pasture. With adequate lime, we can harvest four to five cuttings of very good hay per year.
Drainage is a problem in some areas, as is erosion.
I also have had a number of grazing articles published nationally. Problems and issues are evaluated by integrated work groups made up of resource people involved in research, Extension education and others from outside the College of Agriculture. In particular, research and demonstrations related to sustainable agriculture is being conducted in cooperation with private landowners. Those interested in Kentucky sustainable agriculture may be interested in the Kentucky Leadership for Agricultural and Environmental Sustainability Project newsletter. We also grow about 3.5 acres of low-input tobacco.