Tobacco farmers swing with the punches in a changing market

BEDFORD, Ky. (WDRB) --What started as fashionable and trending has turned into something many consider a taboo topic, a dirty habit, and a serious health hazard.

"It's no secret that smoking is bad for you. We get that," Farmer, Brian Young said

Tobacco has deep roots though in Kentucky.

"We have several foggy mornings. We have several hot, dry, sunny afternoons," he added.

It's pretty much perfect for the crop to grow and thrive in the Bluegrass State. That's why so many have done it over the years.

While the plant has grown our economy, as of late, it's seen harder times too.

"I was raised on a tobacco farm," Russell Young said.

The Youngs have been some of it.

"It's in our blood, it's something we do, and we're good at it," said Russell.

They put their blood, sweat, and tears into their Trimble County farm.

"Sometimes that occurs at night, sometimes that's on weekends, sometimes that's after work," Brian explained.

They tirelessly work to make sure they've got some of the best burley tobacco in Kentucky by working out in the fields, and in the barn hanging it with a team of employees. They've managed to dodge a lot of the rough times the industry has gone through for one reason.

"Fortunately, we are able to export a lot of good, quality Kentucky burley to other countries around the world," Brian told WDRB.

Those are places where it's still acceptable to have a smoke at a restaurant or bar.

Other tobacco farmers haven't been as lucky. The latest Kentucky Census of Agriculture shows there were 8,113 tobacco farms in 2007 compared to the 4,537 farms in 2012. A huge drop off.

A variety of issues have hurt them. The tobacco buyout, getting people to work for them, nonsmoking restaurants, and the increasing popularity of E-Cigarettes.

Speaking of, E cigs could also be a lifeline for farmers.

"They may need some of our tobacco to make the compound to put in it," Brian explained.

If it is, the Youngs say you can bet they'll be a part it, changing with an industry that has defined their family for generation after generation.