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.
October is National Farm to School month, and to celebrate, the Kentucky Farm to School Network* is launching a statewide initiative to encourage farm to school activities – The Kentucky Farm to School Challenge!
So, what is a cooperative? A cooperative, or co-op, is an organization owned and controlled by the people who use the products or services the business produces. Cooperatives differ from other forms of businesses because they operate primarily for the benefit of the members. Co-ops, as a business structure, have a few unique advantages.
KCARD’s Local Food Project Coordinator Olivia Vogel talks broken supply chains and the role of Kentucky farms to meet the needs of Kentuckians in this post.
“It’s hard to make decisions when you are funding dreams. That’s what we do.” Wayne Hunt has been helping fund dreams through his service on the Kentucky Agriculture Development Board since its inception in July of 2000. Through his service on this board and his work to spread the word about the benefits of producer-owned cooperatives, Wayne has gotten to know the work of the Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD) well.
Creating a business plan is an important first step in developing and maintaining a viable business. The business plan lays out a variety of aspects of your business for you, from the official name of your business to who will post on social media and anything in between. Business plans help you communicate your vision for your business in an organized way that can also hold you accountable to the goals you establish.
As an agricultural business owner, it’s inevitable that you will be asked the question “what do you do?” by a wide variety of people, such as potential customers, investors, or even competitors. You might be asked at a school event, community gathering, or even while at the grocery store. Having a clear answer to this question can help you make new relationships that will help your business.
Keeping records is VITAL to your business. It helps you measure your growth (or decline), see what is costing you the most, and give you an idea of how much money you have at a given time. A business owner must think about how they can best keep records to ensure the system will be useful. In this blog post, KCARD outlines the three different types of recordkeeping systems.
Are you wondering if a point of sale system is a good fit for your business? A POS System allows you to maintain sales history, adjust production or buying decisions as well as analyze sales data to figure out how well items on your shelves are selling. Check out this blog post to learn more!
Maddie Grider, KCARD’s client coordinator and project assistant, took some time to answer a few questions about herself and the assistance she provides.
In the state of Kentucky, fruit and vegetable producers are right in the middle of their busiest time of year. Although most preparations take place later this year, or even early next year, there are steps producers can take now that will make next season that much better.
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.
