With more than a quarter-million acres producing a half billion dollars in annual revenue, agriculture is the economic backbone of Graves County and Graves County Economic Development (GCED) is proud to celebrate the important contributions of local farms and farm families on National Ag Day.
“Celebrating 250 years of progress in agriculture,” is the theme for National Ag Day 2026. The annual event is about recognizing the contribution of agriculture in our everyday lives and encourages every American to understand how food and fiber products are produced, to value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy, and appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.
Graves County routinely ranks at or near the top in statewide crop production. According to Kentucky Farm Bureau’s Kentucky Agriculture Facts 2025, Graves ranked first in poultry production, second in pork production, second in corn production, and fourth in soybean production.
Graves County farmer Keith Lowry agrees that agriculture is indeed the county’s backbone. “Agriculture shapes our economy, identity, and daily life more than any other industry,” said Lowry. “As one of Kentucky’s strongest farming communities, producing both row crops and significant livestock and poultry operations, Graves County ranks among the state’s top producers and has seen significant agricultural growth over the past two decades. This deep agricultural base influences everything—from local businesses and transportation to community culture—making farming not just an occupation, but a defining feature of life in Graves County.”
Farmer Justin Ralph said agriculture is more than an occupation to his family—it is a way of life that shapes who they are and how they contribute to the community. “As a second-generation farming family, our roots run deep. My grandfather first sparked our passion for agriculture, instilling in us the values of hard work, stewardship, and pride in providing for others. His legacy continues to guide us as we work each day with the hope of passing this way of life on to future generations.”
“Farming has given our family the opportunity to grow not only crops, but also strong connections within our community,” Ralph added. “We are especially grateful for the impact of Pilgrim's Pride, whose investment in a local chicken processing plant and hatchery has been essential. Their presence has provided our family, and many others, the opportunity to build and expand alongside their complex, strengthening both our local economy and agricultural network.”
Daniel Heath is a Graves County cattle farmer. He said the impact of farming and agriculture on the community goes well beyond economics.
“I’m a third-generation farmer, raising a fourth generation on the same farm that my grandfather started,” said Heath. “Growing up in agriculture teaches so many things that are fundamental–hard work, determination, delayed gratification, respect, and stewardship, just to name a few. This is one industry that allows you to be a part of the whole process from start to finish and see the final reward for all the hard work you’ve put in. “I’m proud to be able to raise my son in that same environment. These are life lessons we can all pass on to the next generation whether you have a small garden or run a large farming operation.”
“We are blessed to live in a community that not only knows where our food comes from, but we can see our food from the beginning stages in the field, all the way to our plates at home. My family and I are blessed and grateful to be a small part of that process,” he added.
By the Numbers
- Farms in Graves County: 1,129; 98% are family farms1
- Acres farmed: 255,0001
- Farmers in Graves County: 1,825; 35% list farming as their primary occupation1
- Total income from farm Operations: $473,755,000; crop sales including products – $140,864,000; animal sales/products – $332,891,0002
- Primary crops: corn (11,703,000 bushels); soybeans (4,880,000 bushels); wheat (2,527,000 bushels) 3
- Primary livestock: poultry (10 million); hogs (29,000); cattle (15,000)4
- Other crops: tobacco, canola, pecans, forage/hay, and fruits/vegetables, flowers 1
- Poultry processor: Pilgrims Pride Corporation
- Custom meat processors/butchers: Yoders Slaughterhouse, Burnett Meats, Brown’s Processing
“Graves County farmers are helping feed the nation and the world,” said GCED President Jason Lemle. “Whether it’s your chicken sandwich at Chick-fil-A, or the corn and soybeans feeding livestock here and abroad, farmers are absolutely essential to our way of life. Graves County is also home to several ag-related businesses that support our farmers, employ hundreds of residents, and contribute to our local economy. Today, we celebrate them all.”
Why Celebrate Agriculture?
Agriculture provides almost everything we eat, use and wear on a daily basis. Each American farmer feeds more than 165 people ... a dramatic increase from 25 people in the 1960s. Quite simply, American agriculture is doing more - and doing it better. As the world population soars, there is an even greater demand for the food and fiber produced in the United States.
12022 Census of Agriculture
2 Graves County Agricultural Development
3USDA 2024 National Agriculture Statistics
4Kentucky Agriculture Facts 2025, Kentucky Farm Bureau