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.
Nestled in between the small towns of Tompkinsville and Gamaliel in southcentral Kentucky, Patterson’s Butcher Shop is a recently opened custom processing business and meat retail store owned by Jorden Patterson Emmert. They offer custom slaughter and a wide variety of retail cuts, including beef, pork, lamb, goat, and ready to cook meals.
Direct marketing is a wonderful way to promote your farm and fulfill a need for consumers. Our guest blogger, Dr. Gregg Rentfrow, has been with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension program since 2006 as the Meat Specialist. Dr. Rentfrow works closely with meat and livestock producers, and the 4-H and FFA programs in the state to provide training and education about meat production. Dr. Rentfrow is a trusted and valued resource for KCARD wit his extensive knowledge of the meat and livestock industries and has participated in several KCARD Marketing Locally Grown Meat workshops in the past.
A Direct-to-Consumer Beef Webinar Series will be presented on the evenings of July 14, 15, and 16 to help producers new to selling beef with production practices, processing, and sales and marketing questions. Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, and the University of Kentucky are coming together to present information that should help producers navigating beef sales for the first time.
If you are new to direct meat sales and have just read our blog posts about having your meat processed for the first time and pricing your meat for profit, we’ve pulled together some more resources for you to explore.
If you are new to direct meat sales and have just read our blog post about having your meat processed for the first time or are looking at updating your pricing, here are two questions you need to ask: What are your competitors’ prices; and, what is your minimum price to break-even. Check out the following blog post to get started on pricing your meat to make a profit.
KCARD is fielding a lot of questions from farmers who are looking to sell meat from their farm for the first time, so we thought it would be a good idea to help answer a few of these questions through a post.
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.
