This Dairy Month, we’re celebrating more than just milk—we’re honoring the hardworking families who bring it to our tables. Just outside Campbellsburg, Kentucky, siblings Sharon and Terry Rowlett turned a family farm challenge into a thriving creamery business. With grit, creativity, and support from KCARD, they transformed their dairy operation into Rowlett’s Milkhouse Creamery—proving that with the right support, rural dreams can grow strong.
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!
FOMO. Yet another acronym that I had to learn from someone much younger than me. FOMO = Fear of Missing Out. It’s the term associated with people incessantly checking their phones, worried about missing out on the latest news about a celebrity, politics, an earthquake on the other side of the world, your friends’ vacation pics or missing out on experiencing something they are only learning about because of the phone in their hand.
Holidays are a time of fun, festivities, and feasting. Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing some of KCARD’s team members favorite family recipes to make around the holidays. This week, we are highlighting James’ Gisela’s Sauerbraten, which is a recipe from his grandmother that his family enjoys making.
Holidays are a time of fun, festivities, and feasting. Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing some of KCARD’s team members favorite family recipes to make around the holidays. This week, we are highlighting Brent’s Peppermint Ice, which is a recipe his daughter, Hannah, created recently.
If you are not offering your customers extra products or upgrading a specific item, you are missing a great revenue opportunity. Upselling and cross-selling doesn’t have to be complicated or a daunting task. It is a way to increase not only your bottom line but also the value you offer to your customer.
Holidays are a time of fun, festivities, and feasting. Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing some of KCARD’s team members favorite family recipes to make around the holidays. This week, we are highlighting Haleigh’s Cranberry Salad, which is a recipe passed down from her grandmother.
Growing fresh-cut flowers can be a beautiful way to utilize your farm ground. However, like any new business, it’s important to set yourself up for success. A few key points to work through before tilling your first flowerbed:
Holidays are a time of fun, festivities, and feasting. Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing some of KCARD’s team members favorite family recipes to make around the holidays. This week, we are highlighting Kellie’s Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, which is a family favorite.
In October and November, KCARD hosted a 6-week webinar series to help people work on their business and figure out what funding resources are out there that are good fits. Below are our top 5 takeaways from the series.
KCARD works with a lot of farmers and business owners. Some are happy with their business, some are happy with their personal life, but the ones that are happiest with both aspects have found a way to align their personal goals with the goals that they have for the business. Sometimes, that means stepping back from their business and acknowledging that the plans that they once had for the business no longer match their current lives.
Holidays are a time of fun, festivities, and feasting. Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing some of KCARD’s team members favorite family recipes to make around the holidays. This week, we are highlighting Olivia’s Swedish Tea Ring, which has been passed down from her great-aunt to her grandmother to her aunt and mother and now her.
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.
