Known for its horse racing, bourbon distilleries, and bluegrass music, Kentucky is a state with rich history, culture, and industry sure to delight. Those looking for Kentucky mountain land for sale, Kentucky farms for sale, or hunting land for sale in Kentucky will find an abundance of opportunities for both investment and recreation.
Kentucky History
Kentucky was first explored by French and English explorers in the late 1600s and early 1700s. In 1774, Daniel Boone led a group of settlers through the Cumberland Gap and into Kentucky, where they established the first permanent settlement at Boonesborough. Originally part of Virginia, Kentucky became the fifteenth state to join the Union in 1792 and experienced a population boon after the American Revolution.
In the early 1800s, Kentucky was a center of agriculture and commerce, which eventually led to the development of more manufacturing and coal mining as agriculture shifted into mainly tobacco.
Kentucky Hunting Land
Kentucky's terrain varies from rolling hills to flat plains and from dense forests to open fields. This diversity in the landscape provides habitats suitable for a variety of game animals. White-tailed deer, squirrels, rabbits, coyotes, and wild turkeys abound in the dense woodland areas, while waterfowl abound in wetland regions. Avid hunters looking for hunting land for sale in Kentucky can also refer to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for information on seasonality and recreation.
Hunting land in Kentucky includes state-owned wildlife management areas, state parks, and national forests. Many private landowners have also been incentivized to offer hunting leases and even guided hunts on their property. Many large-acreage properties in Kentucky offer a generous and diverse landscape with different habitats for game.
Fishing opportunities in Kentucky include lakes, rivers, and streams throughout the state, where anglers can bait their hooks for fresh bass, catfish, crappie, trout, walleye, and panfish.
Kentucky Farm Land
Primarily focused in the central and western regions of the state, the rolling hills and rich soil of Kentucky’s agricultural landscape host over 13 million acres of farmland with over 76,000 working farms. Conservation efforts are in place to ensure that farming can continue in the region for years to come, as more and more farmers are adopting sustainable methods to improve the health of the soil long-term, ensuring that those looking for farm land for sale in Kentucky will continue to see a successful farming industry.
Agrotourism is on the rise in the state, as farm tours and farm-to-table efforts become more and more common. Farmers in Kentucky are leading the way to creatively solve problems of reduced revenue and increasing costs through methods that connect farmers with consumers and provide education as well as inspiration to keep farming alive and well.
Historically known to be a top producer of tobacco, Kentucky farms also produce soybeans and corn and have shifted toward animal husbandry in recent years.
Kentucky Ranch Land
Cattle has risen to the top of the agricultural production list in Kentucky. Farms have even been transitioning away from tobacco into cattle production, and the USDA estimates that Kentucky cattle ranches sold over $1 billion worth of calves and cattle, including beef, in 2012 alone. Of course, Kentucky is also known for its horse farms, but in addition to horses and cattle, ranches in the state also raise sheep, goats, and other livestock.
Cattle ranches for sale in Kentucky boast sprawling acreage with diverse geography, including rolling hills, pastures, and woodlands, while ranchettes and small homesteads can still be found. Kentucky's ranches often feature a mix of pastureland and woodland, providing both grazing areas for livestock and habitat for wildlife.
Kentucky Timber Land
With over 12 million acres of forest hosting over 120 different species of trees, the diversity of Kentucky’s woodlands is unparalleled. Timberland for sale in Kentucky ranges from 30-acre plots to tracts covering hundreds of acres of wooded landscape alongside plains, hills, and waterfowl habitats. The Kentucky Woodland Owners Association works to partner with other landowners who are facing issues of rising costs, degraded forests, and limited timber markets to sustainably and profitably pursue the best practices for forestry and forest management in the state.
Kentucky Water Rights and Kentucky Waterways
In Kentucky, water rights are governed by the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Kentucky Division of Water, where surface water and groundwater are separate resources and regulated accordingly. Like many states, Kentucky adheres to the "riparian rights" doctrine, which means that landowners have a right to use water that flows through or past their property for designated purposes including irrigation or livestock watering, given that this water use does not cause harm to neighboring properties, agriculture, or wildlife.
Kentucky also recognizes "appropriative rights," which allow for the use of water for non-riparian purposes, such as mining or manufacturing. These rights are granted through permits and are subject to restrictions to protect other water users and the environment. The Kentucky Division of Water issues permits for certain activities that affect water resources, such as construction of dams, withdrawal of water for irrigation or industrial use, and discharges of pollutants into waterways.
Winding over 90,000 miles of streams and rivers and home to the Ohio, Cumberland, and Tennessee rivers, riverfront property in Kentucky provides access to ample recreation, wildlife viewing, and access to transportation routes. Lake Cumberland, Kentucky Lake, and Lake Barkley also offer gorgeous views and the perfect backdrop for a home nestled among the state’s waterways.
Kentucky Mineral Rights
Mineral rights in Kentucky are managed by a collaboration between The Kentucky Department for Natural Resources, The Division of Mine Safety, and The Mine Safety Review Commission. Mining includes coal, oil, gas, and other mineral resources hidden below the surface. As with many other states, mineral rights are often separate from surface rights. Mineral rights can be leased or sold to mining or drilling companies, who then have the right to extract the minerals, providing a significant opportunity for landowners to receive royalty payments based on the value of those extracted minerals.
Kentucky Industry & Recreation
Manufacturing and agriculture remain two of Kentucky’s strongest and long-lasting industries. Known for automotive, aerospace, and food and beverage manufacturers, Kentucky is also home to plants that produce parts for Ford, Toyota, General Electric, and Nestle.
Cumberland Fall State Resort Park and Mammoth Cave State Park provide fascinating – and fun – experiences from exploration to fishing and camping and more. Visitors can learn about the delicate balance between the surface and subsurface to help sustain wildlife habitats, getting to know the diverse animal, plant, and tree species that call Kentucky home. National Parks in Kentucky include Daniel Boone National Forest and the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, offering extensive hiking trails and exciting adventures as well as boating and fishing.
Ready to invest in Kentucky farms for sale or looking for hunting land for sale in Kentucky?
Much like the infamous annual Kentucky Derby and Breeder’s Cup, this state is as welcoming, dynamic, and exciting as one might imagine with its extensive natural beauty and resources to enjoy, with ranchers, foresters, and farmers working alongside one another to ensure the longevity of this beautiful place. Reach out to your local Whitetail Properties Land Specialist to find the farm land or mountain for sale in Kentucky that's waiting for you.
