The University of Kentucky Research & Education Center, Princeton, Ky is seeking to lease approximately ten acres to a bidder, they would grow approximately 4 acres of dark fire-cured tobacco, approximately 4 acres of air-cured tobacco, and 2 acres of burley tobacco as part of research trials conducted. At least 90% of the tobacco produced from research trials would be marketable (approximately 23,000 lbs of marketable tobacco produced annually). The lessor would be responsible for providing labor for all work activities including but not limited to transplanting, weeding, topping (flower removal), sucker control, harvest, housing in curing barns, and stripping by stalk position. This would be an annual agreement from May 15 to December 31 each year, with the option of up to four (4) one-year renewals. Total person-hours required for this tobacco research crop would be approximately 2,500 person-hours (500 hours per worker based on five workers) annually. The university researcher and successful offeror would work together through all stages of crop production. The researcher would collect all research data needed for the program. The successful offeror would in turn sell the tobacco and keep all revenue. The successful offeror would provide all necessary liability insurance for workers provided.
