Strong marketing can help small farms stand out and connect with the right customers. Learn how the 4 Ps and 3 Cs—and KCARD’s marketing support—can strengthen your brand and boost your sales.
Every family farm has a story—but planning its future can be challenging. KCARD’s new Kentucky AgriLegacy Solutions Program helps farm families start meaningful conversations, set long-term goals, and create a clear transition plan with confidence and care. Learn how this program can guide your family through the next chapter while honoring your farm’s legacy.
As your farm or food business grows, your brand should grow with it. If your logo, labels, or website no longer reflect who you are or what you offer, it may be time for a refresh. KCARD can help you evaluate your current branding, align updates with your business goals, and move forward with a clearer, more confident image.
More Kentucky schools are looking to bring fresh, local foods into their cafeterias—creating new opportunities for farmers to grow their businesses while supporting healthy meals for students. But selling to schools is different from selling at the farmers market. From understanding purchasing processes to meeting food safety requirements, success starts with preparation and strong relationships.
Learn key steps to get started, connect with schools, and grow your farm-to-school sales.
As the growing season winds down, it’s the perfect time to revisit your business plan. KCARD’s latest post shares five quick ways to strengthen your plan before year-end — from updating goals and finances to preparing for upcoming funding opportunities. Learn how KCARD’s free, confidential assistance and Business Plan Development Guide can help you plan for a successful year ahead.
The cooperative business structure can be an effective organization, but it is not appropriate for everyone or every business idea. When deciding whether to develop a business as cooperative, there are four key factors that need to be present for the cooperative structure to be the right choice.
It is workshop season again! The KCARD Growing Your Farm and Food Business workshops will provide an in-depth understanding of business plan development along with an overview of funding options for farmers and agribusinesses in Kentucky. Each workshop will bring together speakers who work directly with national and state funding programs. Programs from USDA, the Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy, Kentucky State University, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, and other agencies will be covered with many of these entities present and available for questions.
There will be a $18 per person fee to attend the workshop, with dinner and educational materials provided. For further information visit the Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development’s Facebook page or contact Kati Bowman at kbowman@kcard.info or 859-415-4909.
Date: Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Time: 4:30pm - 8:30pm local time
Location: 75 Cornwall Drive, Madisonville, KY 42431
Date: Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Time: 4:30pm - 8:30pm local time
Location: 6028 Camp Ernst Road, Burlington, KY 41005
Date: Thursday, November 14, 2019
Time: 4:30pm - 8:30pm local time
Location: 409 Fairground Street, Columbia, KY 42728
Date: Tuesday, December 10
Time: 4:30pm - 8:30pm local time
Location: 20 North Washington Street, Campton, KY 41301
While developing your marketing strategies and posts, it can get overwhelming on what to create, how to create, and what tools you need to succeed. We have pulled together five tools that help us with everything from content creation to event registration to data analysis.
This week we are featuring the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Programs, the CSX and the Conservation Fund Transporting Healthy Food Grants, and the USDA Value Added Producer Grants.
The Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) provides planning funds or working capital to farmers who are adding value to their agricultural products. The program generally requires a business plan and pro forma financials to score well, so starting early is a must. Below is a quick guide to help you determine if VAPG is the right fit for your business. Contact KCARD, at (859) 550-3972 or via email at kcard@kcard.info.
Have you ever thought of getting into agritourism? Agritourism is the act of inviting people to come to your farm or ranch and participate in on-farm activities. These activities can include U-pick operations, orchards, pumpkin patches, ranch/farm camps, on-farm retail stores, farm stays, wineries and vineyards, and much more. Here are five things to consider before you open your agritourism operation…
Once you decide to hire someone, you need to lay the groundwork for keeping good employee records. What are some recordkeeping basics when you hire someone?
This week we are featuring the On-Farm Water Management Program, Kentucky Proud: Farm to Fork Grants, and Kentucky State University's Small Scale Farm Grants.
Sharing the story of your business is a way to make a stronger connection with your customers and can give them a compelling reason to buy from you. So, how do you capitalize on your story when developing promotional plans for your business? Click to learn five ways to share your story.
In our last post about Co-ops we talked about how cooperatives demonstrate the following principles: User-owned, User-Controlled; and User-benefitted. There are many positive attributes to the cooperative business structure, but it is not the appropriate structure for every business and its owners. Choosing the appropriate business structure is an important strategic decision for business owners.
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.
