David Fourquean, Trigg County extension agent for agriculture, said that the more than 450 farms in the county produce between $27 million and $29 million worth of products, and went on to say that the average size of a farm in Trigg County is almost 300 acres, and that more than 135,000 of Trigg County’s almost 270,000 land acres is farmland.
The average age of a farmer in Trigg County is 55, and while most of the county’s nearly 460 principal farm operators are men, almost 60 of them are women, Fourquean added.
“We appreciate agriculture in Trigg County,” said Trigg County Judge Executive Stan Humphries. “I think there are so many things you have to be proud of here in Trigg County, and certainly agriculture is one of them.”
Three members of the local agricultural community in Trigg County were recognized at the agriculture appreciation dinner on Thursday, a dinner which officials said was hopefully the first of many.
Trigg County Farm Bureau President Scott Bridges presented the Friend of Agriculture Award to Lewis McCormick, a farmer and agricultural community member. John Durden, president of the Cadiz-Trigg County Chamber of Commerce, presented the Agri-Business of the Year Award to Mitch Hite and Hite Lubricants and Fasteners.
Farm Bureau Board Member Stephanie Perry presented the Outstanding Youth in Agriculture Award to Kentucky 4-H President Matt Ledford, who himself also spoke at the dinner.
The featured speaker of the dinner was Dr. Gary Palmer, the assistant director of agriculture and natural resources with the University of Kentucky Extension Office. He said on Thursday night that although farmers can be stubborn they are also highly innovative.
Palmer talked about the importance of agriculture and also talked about stories from his time working as a tobacco specialist with the U.K. College of Agriculture.
On Tuesday afternoon, people going grocery shopping in Cadiz, had their groceries sacked and carried to their vehicles by one of six local celebrities at Hancock’s Market, Food Giant and Cadiz IGA.
Cadiz Mayor Lyn Bailey and Trigg County School Superintendent Tim McGinnis carried groceries at Hancock’s, Cadiz-Trigg County Chamber President John Durden and Bridges bagged groceries at Food Giant and Humphries and Fourquean sacked groceries at Cadiz IGA.
