Interview with Alvin R. Beckley, February 23, 1988

Interview Summary

Executive Secretary of Burley Tobacco Grower's Cooperative, personal background, "old pool", work with O'Brian tobacco leaf dealership in Louisville, operation of the cooperative, relationship between co-op and Commodity Credit Corporation, how price support is set, dealers who handle co-op's tobacco, how dealers work the tobacco, tobacco storage system, how much tobacco co-op gets and how long it keeps it, administrative costs, loss of tobacco headquarters in Louisville, insurance on facility, how tobacco support program is funded, tobacco compared to other commodities, history of Burley Tobacco Grower's Association, loan rates over the years, the switch from acres to poundage, pricing the tobacco to companies, co-op's role in Council for Burley Tobacco and Burley and Dark Leaf Tobacco Export Association, co-op's role in hemp production during World War Two

Interview Keyword

Heritage farms

Interview LC Subject

Agriculture--Kentucky Berry, John M., Sr. Burley and Dark Leaf Tobacco Export Association Burley tobacco Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative Association Commodity Credit Corporation Family farms Hemp Lobbying Tobacco industry Tobacco--Cooperative marketing Tobacco--Government policy Tobacco--Grading Tobacco--Kentucky Tracy, Martin--Interviews Agriculture

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