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.
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.
A well-hosted class or workshop can be one of the more profitable (and fun!) ways to engage visitors on your farm and offer agritourism opportunities. However, they can be quite labor-intensive and require lots of planning and thoughtfulness. Check out these tips to get you started!
Engaging visitors on your farm through agritourism can transform a simple trip into a memorable experience. As more people seek authentic, hands-on activities, farms have a unique opportunity to diversify their income and connect with visitors by showcasing daily operations, offering interactive tours, and hosting fun, educational events.
Since agritourism is such a growing industry, you may also be wondering how to set yourself apart from everyone else. Here are 5 ways to engage visitors on your farm.
KCARD helps clients with a variety of services, including business planning, grant facilitation, recordkeeping, and financial development. In addition to those services, KCARD works with clients on developing marketing plans and social media strategies. Kati Bowman, Marketing and Business Development Specialist, answers a few questions about how KCARD can assist you with your marketing.
Your marketing plan is a blueprint for launching a new business or product, understanding your target audience and your market, growing your audience and customer base, and promoting your overall business. With a well-designed marketing plan, you can design more effective promotions, reach your customers with targeted advertising, and track the success of your efforts.
There’s no denying that the world is different than it was before COVID-19. One demonstration of this is the reality that people often don’t carry cash, even when they’re heading shopping or to a farmer’s market. With this in mind, it’s important to consider offering different payment methods (most of which can be contactless). Check out these options for accepting alternative payment methods that don’t require hardware or a full POS system.
Digital marketing can be intimidating, with a lot of moving parts that you must manage and lot of options for tools to use that can be expensive. Check out this list for ideas for cheap (or free!) tools to help grow your digital marketing efforts!
Farmers' markets can be a great way for producers of all sizes to create/expand their customer base and have a consistent marketing opportunity. If you're considering selling at a farmers' market for the first time (or sell at a market already), check out these tips for successfully selling at farmers' markets!
One direct-to-consumer marketing arrangement that has increased in popularity in the past several years is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). While this can be a great model for many farm businesses, it’s important to evaluate the pros and cons to understand if starting a CSA is right for your farm business.
The beginning of a new year is often spent reflecting on the past year and planning for what is to come. We often make New Year’s resolutions to form new habits focused on our health and wellness; here are six habits that focus on improving the health and wellness of your 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.
