Agricultural roots run deep in Caldwell County, the heart of the "Black Patch." The nickname stems from the county's historic tradition of dark-fired tobacco production. While tobacco is no longer the county's leading cash crop, other farm and farm-related offerings, from blueberries and wine grapes to thriving cattle and equine operations, have taken its place.

Helping lead efforts to keep the region's agricultural economy modern and successful is the University of Kentucky Research and Education Center,

located off Ky. 91 south of downtown Princeton. The UKREC's team of researchers, coupled with their counterparts in the county's UK Cooperative Extension Service office, is helping to ensure the continued stability of one of the area's main economic engines.

Agriculture cash receipts add more than $33 million to the economy of Caldwell County annually, making agriculture the number one source of income for the community. Fertile limestone based soils gives producers many suitable cropping options to fit their operations. Crops produced include: corn, soybeans, winter wheat, dark-fired tobacco, dark air-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, Alfalfa hay, fruits and vegetables. While traveling visitors will see lush green pastures dotted with beef cattle, dairy cattle, and horses.