Considering a grant for your farm or food business? Grants can help you grow—but success takes more than a good idea. You’ll need a clear plan, strong documentation, and the ability to manage reporting and reimbursements. Before you apply, make sure the grant fits your goals, you're ready to handle the admin work, and you understand the requirements. With the right prep, grants can be a game-changing investment in your business.
Thinking about incorporating your business into a legal business structure? As your business grows, choosing the right legal structure becomes a key decision. Incorporating can offer protection and perks—but it's not always the right move for everyone. Here's what to consider before making it official.
Looking to sell your products online but not sure where to start? This quick guide compares top e-commerce platforms—like Square, Shopify, Local Line, and more—designed for farmers and small businesses. Find the right fit to streamline sales, manage inventory, and grow your business online.
The USDA's Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) includes three key grant opportunities in 2025: the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP), and Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP). These programs support efforts to improve food access, boost market opportunities for local producers, and strengthen regional food systems. Applications are due by June 27, 2025. Learn more about the programs and how to get started in this blog post!
Farming comes with constant uncertainty—but tools like sales forecasting and enterprise budgeting can help you make smarter decisions, manage risk, and boost your farm’s profitability. Whether you're growing vegetables, raising livestock, or running a diversified operation, these tools provide the financial clarity to plan with confidence. Want to learn how to apply them to your business? Read the full blog post to explore practical tips, real-world examples, and free resources to get started.
The USDA's Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) includes three key grant opportunities in 2025: the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP), and Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP). These programs support efforts to improve food access, boost market opportunities for local producers, and strengthen regional food systems. Applications are due by June 27, 2025. Learn more about the programs and how to get started in this blog post!
Farming comes with constant uncertainty—but tools like sales forecasting and enterprise budgeting can help you make smarter decisions, manage risk, and boost your farm’s profitability. Whether you're growing vegetables, raising livestock, or running a diversified operation, these tools provide the financial clarity to plan with confidence. Want to learn how to apply them to your business? Read the full blog post to explore practical tips, real-world examples, and free resources to get started.
As we wrap up Financial Literacy Month, it’s the perfect time to take a closer look at your farm’s financial health. In today’s ag landscape, success means tracking more than just yields—you need the right Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to guide decisions, plan ahead, and stay financially strong. In this blog post, we discuss how to use KPIs and the Farm Finance Scorecard to understand your numbers and what they mean for your business.
Tax season doesn't have to be stressful — with the right approach, it can be a year-round strategy that sets you up for success. In our latest blog, the UK Department of Agricultural Economics break down essential tax tips, key filing updates, and smart planning strategies for farmers and small business owners, including disaster-related extensions for Kentucky, new 1099-K rules, and options for livestock sales and asset depreciation. Stay organized, stay ahead, and start building a smoother path to your future tax filings today!
As we gear up for the 2025 season, effective recordkeeping is key to understanding your business's financial health and driving growth. This blog explores advanced methods, from cloud-based software to industry-specific tools, to help you track finances, analyze key metrics, and make informed decisions. Mastering recordkeeping will set your business up for success in the year ahead.
In case you missed it, check out our Recordkeeping 101 blog post to get caught up on this series.
Struggling to price your products at the farmers market? It’s a balancing act between attracting customers and ensuring profitability. From calculating your costs to understanding market trends and perceived value, this post breaks down key steps to help you set the perfect price. Ready to optimize your pricing strategy? Read on for tips that will boost your sales and sustain your business!
The USDA’s Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program is a cornerstone for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers who wish to diversify their operations and expand their value-added products. For the current 2025 cycle and future cycles, there are some significant changes that you need to know if you’re interested in applying.
Businesses registered with the Secretary of State (such as LLCs or corporations) are now required to report Beneficial Ownership Information. As of December 26, 2024, the deadline for BOI filing has been suspended until further notice. However, the report is expected to be required in the future. We recommend voluntarily completing the report to avoid having to monitor future deadline updates.
KCARD will be hosting a Planning for Farm Diversification workshop on October 22 in Murray, KY to assist agricultural producers who are transitioning out of dark tobacco and diversifying their farming operations with produce or raising livestock for value-added products. The workshops will provide information on business planning, marketing, produce safety practices, and production resources.
Farmers and business owners often don’t pay themselves a consistent wage/salary for a number of reasons, although they are contributing a lot of sweat equity to the business. Check out this post to learn more about how and why you should consider paying yourself as the owner of the business.
The Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development is a non-profit organization established to facilitate agricultural and rural businesses in Kentucky. We are supported primarily through grants provided by the USDA Rural Cooperative Development Program and the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board. Additional support is provided through our work with partners around the state and through fees charged for select client services.
