By SHARON K. HALL
Agriculture Commissioner James Comer (left) stopped in Knott County Tuesday for a meet and greet session. (Photos by Sharon K. Hall)
Knott County residents had an opportunity to visit with Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture James Comer Tuesday as he made a stop at the Knott County Extension Office. Farmers and cattlemen had ques- tions for the Commissioner. Knott County Central High School FFA members joined the group to hear Comer present an overview of the responsibilities of his office. The energetic official shared his ideas that agriculture could be the key to building up the economy.
Knott County Agriculture Agent Chad Conway agreed that Knott County had a lot of potential in agriculture. According to a Community Economic Development Report, Knott County has declining coal and natural gas industry but agriculture, forestry, hunting, and fishing are emerging industries. Agriculture is on an upswing.
This fall Comer drove some of his own cattle to D & D Ranch in Chavies. D & D is a working ranch that was developed on a reclaimed mine site. People can bring their cattle to the ranch for participation in a heifer development program. Cattle producers can take the heifers back to their farm to improve their own herds or they can sell them in a special sale if they don’t need the heifers. By bringing his cattle to the eastern Kentucky ranch Comer wanted to send a message to Kentuckians that he believes in agriculture building a stronger economy.
Commissioner Comer talked about using agriculture to boost the eastern Kentucky economy. Reclaimed land is suitable for growing grasses for cattle to graze. Land reclaimed in eastern Kentucky is also suitable for fruit trees…
Find the Troublesome Creek Times at local stores in Knott and surrounding counties or subscribe to the Times at (606)-785-5134