When almost a foot of rain fell on Rhonda and Brent Cornett’s farm in one week, their river bottom land in Laurel County was flooded. About 70 percent of their crops were impacted.
Not only would they have lost revenue from the ruined crops, but they already had incurred all the expenses of planting those crops.
“We would have had to consider bankruptcy,” Rhonda said. “Crop insurance applications aren’t even reviewed until winter. Finishing the year would have been challenging with making payments we’re obligated to make. We would have had to send workers home and leave some crops in the field.”
Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation was able to provide the Cornetts with a lower interest rate and an operating line of credit.
“Kentucky Highlands took the time to spend a couple of afternoons at the farm to understand the whole picture,” Rhonda said. “Banks understand cattle farms because that’s mostly what we have in Laurel County, but our farm couldn’t be more different.”
The Cornetts primarily sell their peppers, eggplant, summer squash, cucumbers and zucchini on the wholesale market with the produce ending up in stores such as Walmart and Kroger. The farm also grows significant quantities of tomatoes, sweet corn, strawberries, beans and many other vegetables, which are sold through its Cornett Farm Fresh store in London.
“The way that Kentucky Highlands really wanted to know our operation and know us helped find the best option for us,” she said. “It’s not just a quick fix. It will help us for years to come. We don’t just have a lender. We have a partner.”
