Extension Agent Reviews Economic Impact of Ag

Lucy Ray, Jasper County’s agricultural Extension agent, presented a program on the economic impact of agriculture Tuesday evening.

Some 42 people turned out for the program which showed that the total impact of food and fiber production on Jasper County is $97.4 million. The total county output is $431.3 million. Thus, food and fiber (directly and indirectly) account for 22.6 percent of the total county output, considering the multiplier effects.

Miss Ray began her presentation explaining that the Cooperative Extension Service is a cooperative effort between the county and state. She said she tries to complete various needs assessments so that her services can be tailor-made for Jasper County. She is required to get continuing education, and stays active with numerous agriculture interests, including several youth programs.

Miss Ray said the county’s population, according to the 2010 census, is 13,900, a 21 percent increase over the last 10 years. However, it is not as much of an increase as anticipated…the county was projected to be at 15,000 people by 2010.

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According to the last Ag Census, 86 percent of Jasper County’s land is cropland and forestland. This includes the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center and the Oconee National Forest as well as 333 individual farms. Miss Ray reviewed the tax digest and the percent of property that is agricultural.

She also used the example of cows not attending school as a reason the farmers get a tax break. The same is true of trees and chickens, which comprise the top three agricultural endeavors in the county.

Poultry and eggs leads the county in agriculture, comprising 32.7 percent, followed by livestock, and then horticulture. Forestry is less than 10 percent.

Miss Ray explained that 36.7 percent of the employment in Jasper County is agricultural and directly related jobs. According to the figures, there are 4,911 jobs in Jasper County, and 1,700 are ag-related.

After her presentation, Miss Ray asked for input as to what she can do better; what she, or Extension, is doing wrong, and what are they doing right.

One person said she really enjoyed a previous program that dealt with what happens to a farm when the operators die, and the heirs inherit it.

Another person asked her to give more information on the new sales tax card. Now farmers can receive a tax-exempt card to present when buying anything. Some retailers are not familiar with the new practice.

One farmer said he appreciated her ability to see the mites on crops.