Cooperatives exist in every sector of the economy, and cooperatives range from very small, local businesses to large multi-national corporations. Cooperatives can be classified by their primary business activity. Co-ops are often categorized as marketing, supply (or purchasing), consumer, service, and worker.
Shippaggedon? Prepare for the Shipping Challenges this Holiday Season
The news on shipping right now is rough. Shippers are planning for the busiest holiday season ever and are warning their long-time vendors to expect delays. What can you do to prepare if your business does a lot of shipping?
Co-op 101: Who Receives the Profits in a Co-op?
The purpose of a cooperative is to provide and distribute benefits to members based on their use of the services of the cooperative. Co-op benefits may include better prices for goods, improved services, a new market for goods, or a better source of inputs. These benefits also include receiving patronage refunds (also commonly referred to as patronage dividends), which is the distribution of net profits of the business based upon the use of the co-op’s services. The patronage refund may be in the form of payment or a written notice of allocation to the member’s equity account in the co-op.
Q&A with Kellie Padgett: AgVets Program
Kellie Padgett, one of KCARD’s business development specialists, took a little time to answer some questions about herself, the new program Connecting Kentucky Veterans to Agriculture Opportunities (AgVets), and give some helpful tips for veterans interested in getting into agriculture.
Q&A with Brent Lackey: KCARD Over the Years
Brent Lackey, KCARD’s senior business development specialists, took some time to answer a few questions about himself and his history at KCARD.
KCARD Guest Blogger: Farm Service Agency
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 Farm Service Agency and the programs they administer.
KCARD Guest Blogger: Kentucky State University
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 Kentucky State University and the assistance they provide.
Q&A with James: KCARD and the Grant Process
James Barrett, KCARD’s grant facilitator, took some time to answer a few questions about himself and KCARD’s Agribusiness Grant Facilitation Program.
Kentucky Horticulture Council Guest Blog: Agritourism Preparedness
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.
Kentucky Organizations Receive Grant to Supports Veterans Transitioning into Agricultural Careers
Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development along with partners Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office, Kentucky Horticulture Council, and University of Kentucky’s Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky (CEDIK) are collaborating on a $746,567 USDA grant to provide educational opportunities for veterans and transitioning service members interested in agriculture, develop a peer-to-peer network for veterans in agriculture, and construct a pathway that facilitates veterans’ entrance into agriculture-related careers. Additional support partners for this grant include the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation, Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs, and Hopkinsville Community College.