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.
Kentucky Department of Agriculture
The Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD) will be hosting a series of five “Growing Your Farm and Food Business” webinars this October to assist agricultural producers and food businesses with understanding business fundamentals, identifying grant opportunities, and developing a strategy to seek funding. Webinars will take place from 10:00am – 11:30am Eastern/9:00am -10:30am Central and will be available for later viewing.
Farmers markets must get innovative in the way they provide food access to their customers while keeping in line with social distancing requirements during this time. Consider the restraints of your market and what is feasible for your market. We encourage you to check out the resources put out by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Community Farm Alliance for markets across the state.
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
This week we are featuring the Kentucky Agricultural Development Funds On-Farm Energy Efficiency Incentives Program, the Rural Energy for America Program Grants, and the Kentucky Proud Promotional Program Grants.
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.
