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.
This fall, KCARD is hosting another round of our funding focused Growing Your Farm and Food Business workshop series. We kicked off this series with the first workshop in Grand Rivers on October 23rd. You can still join us in Springfield on November 13th or in Jackson on November 19th!
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!
The recently announced first round of the Business Builder Subawards through the Appalachia Regional Food Business Center is a potential grant opportunity for farm and food businesses.
To help understand the grant, review the FAQs and feel free to contact us at (859) 550-3972 or kcard@kcard.info. We can help you determine if this opportunity is a good fit for you and your business!
Do you have employees working more than 40 hours a week and making less than $844 per week (equivalent to $43,888 per year)? If so, it’s important to review your payroll and staffing hours for 2024 and 2025 as overtime rules have changed.
KCARD works specifically with farmers markets on a wide range of topics, including where to find funding, how to structure the market, and how to think of the farmers market as a business entity. In this post, Terryn Varney, KCARD Business Development Specialist who specializes in farmers market assistance, answers questions about how and when KCARD can help your farmers market.
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.
“What do I need for a commercial kitchen?” is a question we often hear at KCARD. Typically, the answer is not a simple one as several factors play into what will be needed for a commercial kitchen to be a useful and efficient endeavor. In this post, we’ve included some of the first steps we discuss with those interested in a commercial kitchen and resources to learn more.
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.
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.
