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.
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!
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!
With the uncertainty of USDA contracts and funding while federal programs are being reviewed by the new administration and some programs being canceled, it is important for producers and organizations to understand their rights and key timelines. Farm Commons has recently published a resource aimed at helping producers navigate this situation. Key points from this resource are summarized in this post.
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.
This fall, KCARD is hosting another round of our funding focused Growing Your Farm and Food Business workshop series. We kicked off this series with the first workshop in Grand Rivers on October 23rd. You can still join us in Springfield on November 13th or in Jackson on November 19th!
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.
