Alternative Use for Small Tobacco Acreage in Southeastern Indiana

Alternative Use for Small Tobacco Acreage in Southeastern Indiana

Summary

With the reduction in their allotments, producers of burley tobacco have been forced to seek alternatives to replace lost income.

Objective: To use tobacco land and facilities to produce alternative, high-income crops.

The producer spent months exploring options before deciding to use existing land and equipment to produce asparagus, lettuce, greens and cut-flowers for upscale markets.

Results: The producer markets greens and lettuce bi-weekly to restaurants in Louisville, Kentucky, and Columbus, Indiana. Thirty percent of the restaurants she has contacted are steady customers. If winter production proves successful, she will solidify her positon as a dependable, year-round supplier of high-quality greens and lettuce. Asparagus and cut-flowers are marketed locally in season.