For two years Harold Lovan, 65, a native of Mortons Gap, Ky,, has been raising goats to bring in a small income. "It's good buisness," said Lovan, explaining that he makes a $1 per pound "on foot". On foot is a term that refers to a live goat. A goat that is sold by "dress" weight is a goat after it has been killed, sliced, and ready for market. Janice Dunlap, of White Plains, Ky., waitress at Cats for 9 years. Harold Lovan, 65, of Mortons Gap, Ky. Harold Lovan, 65, of Mortons Gap, Ky., typically drinks his coffee in the morning and then heads out for breakfast where he is often joined by family and friends. Maurice Wilson, of Madisonville, Ky., Retired former Deputy Sheriff. Known Harold Lovan for over 40 years. "It used to make me good money," said Joe Winston about his fighting cocks. Winston (left) , 67, has lived in Mortons Gap, Ky. for the past 18 years. Winston has been breeding and raising fighting cocks for 10 years as a hobby. "I just enjoy it.""This new pasture will last them about two weeks," said Harold Lovan, showing his cows the way to a new pasture with more grass. Lovan, 65, of Mortons Gap, raises and sells black angus cows as a hobby as well as a means of taking in a profit after his recent retirement a few years back. The value of livestock, poultry, and their products make up 65.11% of total agricultural products sold in Hopkins County. It's a slow day for Michelle Slaton, the wife of a chicken farmer in Nortonville, Ky. "I like the country a lot more since I've retired," said Harold Lovan, 65, of Mortons Gap, Ky. Before retiring Lovan worked an average of 100 hours a week operating a catering service, a restaurant, a grocery, and a concessions trailer. A year before retiring Lovan found himself chronically sick for a year. His doctor told him it was stress. After retirement Lovan's health returned to him. "The animal blood becomes your blood and you can't help but care for them, " said Wesley Slaton, a chicken farmer from Nortonville, Ky. Slaton is currently raising 200,000 chickens for Tyson Foods.
Joe Winston, 67, gives his calves penicillin shots to prevent diseases and illnesses that are more susceptible to young cows. Winston, who raises cattle to sell to meat markets, has lived in Mortons Gap for the past 18 years but has been working with cattle for the pst 35-40 years. The value of livestock, poultry, and their products make up 65.11% of total agricultural products sold in Hopkins County.
