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.
Agritourism 101
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…
How Do You Get Hiring Right?
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?
On-Farm Water Management Cost-Share, Farm to Fork Grants, and more
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.
Five Ways to Share Your Story
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.
Co-op 101: How Do Cooperatives Compare to Other Business Structures?
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.
Energy Grants and Conservation Cost Shares for Farmers
This week we are featuring the Kentucky State University Small Scale Farm and Farmer Education Grant, the Kentucky Conservation State Cost Share Program, and the USDA-NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
Energy Grants and More
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.
Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program Webinars
This week we are featuring the USDA Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program Grants. If you're interested in applying, check out the three webinars we have shared! These webinars will give you an inside scoop into crafting your grant proposal and government statistics on local food.
By Design or By Default?
You can easily “fall into” a marketing channel or a product that you did not plan because you want to take advantage of every opportunity you can in an effort to make your farming business work. Unfortunately, all too often an “opportunity” may not be as good as it first appears, and you end up with lots of things your business is doing that really do not match where you want the business to go. And you may be doing a lot of things that actually cost the business more money than they make.