Council for Burley Tobacco
Now part of the Burley & Dark Tobacco Producer Association
The Council for Burely Tobacco is a grower organization that was established to represent the interests of the burley tobacco grower in all segments of the burley industry, encourage and develop a better understanding between burley producers and the general public, and provide a forum in which all matters of the tobacco industry may be discussed. The Council also administers the checkoff and TAGS program.
On March 6, 2024, the Council Board of Directors voted to amend the By-laws to allow the Council administration to fall under the Burley & Dark Tobacco Producer Association's oversight.
Council for Burley Tobacco
Membership
All burley tobacco producers are elegible for membership in the Council for Burley Tobacco. As a member of the Council, growers also become a member of the Burley & Dark Tobacco Producer Association. In addition, established organizations and associations constituted with a membership with a direct interest and concern in burley tobacco prdocution are eligible for membership, but the representatives for these organizations must be active burley tobacco producers or the President of the organization or association.
To become a member please go to the Home page and sign up. Once a member, you will receive regular e-newsletters and announcements important to our industry.
Council for Burley Tobacco
Burley Tobacco Check-Off
KDA Tobacco Assessment Memo
Kentucky Revised Statute 247.770 requires that a tobacco assessment is to be collected by all persons or businesses that purchase burley tobacco in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
The assessment is based ont he pounds of burley tobacco purchased, at one tenth of a cent ($0.001) per pound of burley tobacco. For example, if a buyer purchases 10,000 pounds of tobacco the check off assessment would be $10.00 for the transaction. The assessment is applicable to all burley tobacco that is sold in the state, regardeless of where the tobacco was produced. The assessment is levied each time there is a sale of this tobacco.
All assessment payments shall be made payable to the Council for Burley Tobacco on or before the fifteenth (15th) day of each month. Payments should be mailed ot the following address:
Council for Burley Tobacco
P.O. Box 910546
Lexington, Kentucky 40591
The failure of a person or business to comply with the deadline for assessment payment is no less than $25 and no more than $50 per each offense. The books and records of all tobacco warehouses, tobacco manufacturers and tobacco dealer operators shall at reasonable times be open for inspection by the Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture, or a duly authorized agent for the purpose of ascertaining the accuracy of the amounts remitted.
Aany producer shall have the right to request a refund of the assessment from the treasurer of the Council for Burley Tobacco within thirty (30) days fromt he date the assessment was collected. All requests must be submitted in writing to the same address as the payment address listed above.
Council for Burley Tobacco
Burley Check Off
Burley Check Off Payment History
$44,831.64 (thru March 6, 2024)
2022-2023 $41,094.90
2021=2022 $44,211.23
2020-2021 $52,791.60
2019-2020 $63,474.17
2018-2019 $80,449.91
2017-2018 $113,433.73
2016-2017 $102,059.64
2015-2016 $114,300.91
2014-2015 $177,318.19
2013-2014 $154,517.74
2012-2013 $159,230.96
Council for Burley Tobacco
Grants
The Council for Burley Tobacco has invested the Kentucky Burley Tobacco Check Off funds in research, educatin and promotin projects to benefit the burley tobacco industry. (The Council is not accepting grant applications at this time.)
2024 Burley Check-Off
A copy of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture Burley Check-off Announcement can be accessed below.