Tax season doesn't have to be stressful — with the right approach, it can be a year-round strategy that sets you up for success. In our latest blog, the UK Department of Agricultural Economics break down essential tax tips, key filing updates, and smart planning strategies for farmers and small business owners, including disaster-related extensions for Kentucky, new 1099-K rules, and options for livestock sales and asset depreciation. Stay organized, stay ahead, and start building a smoother path to your future tax filings today!
As we gear up for the 2025 season, effective recordkeeping is key to understanding your business's financial health and driving growth. This blog explores advanced methods, from cloud-based software to industry-specific tools, to help you track finances, analyze key metrics, and make informed decisions. Mastering recordkeeping will set your business up for success in the year ahead.
In case you missed it, check out our Recordkeeping 101 blog post to get caught up on this series.
Struggling to price your products at the farmers market? It’s a balancing act between attracting customers and ensuring profitability. From calculating your costs to understanding market trends and perceived value, this post breaks down key steps to help you set the perfect price. Ready to optimize your pricing strategy? Read on for tips that will boost your sales and sustain your business!
With the uncertainty of USDA contracts and funding while federal programs are being reviewed by the new administration and some programs being canceled, it is important for producers and organizations to understand their rights and key timelines. Farm Commons has recently published a resource aimed at helping producers navigate this situation. Key points from this resource are summarized in this post.
Starting or growing a business is an exciting journey filled with opportunities and challenges. Whether you’re launching a startup, expanding an existing operation, or simply rethinking your strategies, it’s always helpful to have a well-thought-out business plan. This document isn’t just a formality—it’s a foundational step that can turn your vision into reality while ensuring you stay on track to achieve your goals.
KCARD works with a lot of farmers and business owners. Some are happy with their business, some are happy with their personal life, but the ones that are happiest with both aspects have found a way to align their personal goals with the goals that they have for the business. Sometimes, that means stepping back from their business and acknowledging that the plans that they once had for the business no longer match their current lives.
The Cooperative Extension Service is a fantastic resource in Kentucky. In this guest post by Dr. Les Anderson, he discusses a new series of videos released on YouTube to help people who are new to farming and the role of the extension service in serving new farmers and new landowners.
A Direct Marketing Sheep & Goat Webinar Series will be presented on the evenings of November 17, 18, and 19 to help producers interested in selling lamb, goat, and fiber products with production practices, processing, and sales and marketing questions. The webinar is being co-hosted by the Kentucky Sheep & Goat Development Office and the Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD).
The Kentucky Horticulture Council (KHC) is another great resource available to Kentucky producers. KHC provides resources for information and education for growers, business owners, and the public to promote a thriving horticulture industry. In this guest post by Executive Director Cindy Finneseth, KHC discusses how to be prepared and creative this fall agritourism season.
Over the next couple of weeks, we will be showcasing partners in our Growing Your Farm and Food Business Webinar series. These partners provide funding opportunities to Kentucky’s agricultural producers and agribusinesses. The USDA Rural Development Office is an important partner in KCARD’s work as we apply for funding from their office to continue our work with Kentucky’s producers and rural and agribusinesses but also because they offer a wealth of programs to Kentucky’s rural businesses. In this post, we are learning about the USDA Rural Development and the programs they administer.
There are lots of great resources available to Kentucky Producers. The Center for Crop Diversification offers budgets, horticulture profiles, and price reports. In our guest blog post by Brett Wolff, he discusses utilizing price reports in planning for next season.
Over the next couple of weeks, we will be showcasing partners in our Growing Your Farm and Food Business Webinar series. These partners provide funding opportunities to Kentucky’s agricultural producers and agribusinesses. In this post, we are learning about the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy and the programs they administer.
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.
This week is National Farmers Market Week, giving us an opportunity to celebrate Kentucky’s farmers markets for boosting the local economy by supporting local producers, providing jobs, improving local nutrition, and much more. So how should you celebrate National Farmers Market Week? Simply visit your local farmers market! There are over 160 farmers markets in the state of Kentucky and over 2,700 farmers market vendors to buy from.
Dr. Steve Isaacs has been with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension program for over 28 years, specializing in farm management programs such as farm financial management, human resource management, and the economics of injury prevention. Dr. Isaacs is a trusted and valued resource for KCARD with his extensive knowledge in agricultural economics and business management. He has also been a mentor or instructor for many KCARD staff over the years.
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.
