Financial, Guest Blog, Recordkeeping
Brent Lackey
Tax Time for Farmers

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!

Tax Time for Farmers
Financial, Education, Business Development, Recordkeeping
Brent Lackey
Understanding Your Financial Health: Advanced ...

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.

Understanding Your Financial Health: Advanced Recordkeeping Tips for 2025
Education, Financial, Marketing
Brent Lackey
Farmers Market Pricing Strategies: Balancing ...

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!

Farmers Market Pricing Strategies: Balancing Customer Appeal and Profitability
Funding, Grants, Education
Brent Lackey
USDA Contract Freezes: What Farmers Need to ...

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.

USDA Contract Freezes: What Farmers Need to Know and How to Take Action
Business Development, Education, KCARD Services
Brent Lackey
The Power of Business Planning: Building a ...

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. 

The Power of Business Planning: Building a Roadmap for Success
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Screening for fit: How to save time when looking for grants

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Screening for fit: How to save time when looking for grants

When you first find a grant program that could fit your interests, your main source of information will typically be a document called the “Request for Applications”, also called the “RFA” or in federal programs, a “Notice of Funding Availability” or “NOFA”. This document is key in determining if a grant is a good fit for you or your organization and can easily surpass 40 pages in length. While you will need to read the entire document eventually, we suggest reviewing the following sections first:

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Fear of Missing Out - The Business Version

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Fear of Missing Out - The Business Version

FOMO. Yet another acronym that I had to learn from someone much younger than me. FOMO = Fear of Missing Out. It’s the term associated with people incessantly checking their phones, worried about missing out on the latest news about a celebrity, politics, an earthquake on the other side of the world, your friends’ vacation pics or missing out on experiencing something they are only learning about because of the phone in their hand.

Would You Like Fries with That?

Would You Like Fries with That?

If you are not offering your customers extra products or upgrading a specific item, you are missing a great revenue opportunity. Upselling and cross-selling doesn’t have to be complicated or a daunting task. It is a way to increase not only your bottom line but also the value you offer to your customer.

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Aligning Personal and Business Goals for Success

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Aligning Personal and Business Goals for Success

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.

About KCARD

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.

Contact Us

411 Ring Road
Elizabethtown, KY 42701

p: (859) 550-3972
f: (888) 319-4962

kcard@kcard.info