Public meetings to assist farmers with applications for applying for Tobacco Loss Assistance Program and Phase II Tobacco Settlement payments were continued. Grain marketing training was provided to farmers to assist grain farmers as they attempt to increase their profit during the recent low grain prices. An 11-week course was offered from OSU for farmers who wished to expand their marketing skills to all current opportunities. This class was taught at Southern State Community College. OSU Extension conducted a youth livestock judging contest in which over 300 youth participated in at the Brown County Fair.
Tobacco annually ranks as a top agricultural crop in Brown County.
Tobacco educational programming and plant diagnosis are top priorities. Nearly 250 farmers attended the annual tobacco meeting. With the decline in tobacco quota, we continue to look for alternative crops. The Farm Fresh Growers continue to market vegetables with more farmers becoming vendors. Also, educational meetings have begun for wine grape production.