Conclusion

In conclusion, tobacco plays an important role for the state. With roughly 130,000 acres grown in the state, many farmers still depend on tobacco as a main source of income and with tobacco prices staying around $2.00 per pound right now tobacco is the most profitable crop per acre. Also, tobacco is still playing an important role at the University of Kentucky. There is a ton of research being performed by the plant and soil sciences department every day to improve the raising of tobacco and to find medical uses for tobacco in the Kentucky Tobacco Research and Development Center (KTRDC). Not only is the research of the plant taking place at UK, but the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering program is developing new equipment and curing facilities to decrease the amount of labor required for tobacco and increase the quality of tobacco. Though new equipment is being designed, the tobacco industry is declining because of the lack of the labor force and many farmers would rather retire from growing tobacco than go through the H-2A program to hire migrant workers. In addition, the tobacco buyout in 2004 caused many farmers to stop growing tobacco and focus on other farming opportunities. Although tobacco is not as big as it once was for Kentucky, it still plays an important role for my family farm. I have spent countless hours alongside my dad and brothers working in the tobacco patch and when we sell it every year all that hard work pays off. Tobacco has been an important industry in Kentucky since the mid-1800s and I believe it will continue to play a significant role for many years to come despite the decrease in production over the last decade.