Maps help us navigate the world, and they not only show us how to get from point A to point B, but, depending on the type of map, they can also help us to see where patterns, clusters, and gaps exist in a spatial environment. As part of KCARD’s state-wide Local Food System Expansion Initiative, a series of interactive maps has been developed to visualize the Kentucky local food system. Stay tuned for parts two and three of the series in the next few weeks. We will present a closer look into local food sales in Kentucky and the various industries that make up the local food system.
“It’s hard to make decisions when you are funding dreams. That’s what we do.” Wayne Hunt has been helping fund dreams through his service on the Kentucky Agriculture Development Board since its inception in July of 2000. Through his service on this board and his work to spread the word about the benefits of producer-owned cooperatives, Wayne has gotten to know the work of the Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD) well.
Last year about this time, we all began learning a lot more about COVID 19. We also started seeing grocery shelves with less meat on them than we normally expected to see. Meat processors in the state who were already at least six to eight weeks booked if you tried to schedule animals to be processed started getting a lot more calls as more people were seeking local meat and more farmers saw an opportunity to expand direct meat sales to consumers.
Over the next couple of weeks, we will be showcasing partners in our Growing Your Farm and Food Business Webinar series. These partners provide funding opportunities to Kentucky’s agricultural producers and agribusinesses. In this post, we are learning about the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy and the programs they administer.
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.
