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.
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. In the second part of the series, we take a closer look at local food sales in Kentucky, including both direct-to-consumer sales and other market channels like restaurants, retailers, and institutions. Stay tuned for the final part of the series where we’ll look at specific food industries in the state!
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.
April is Financial Literacy Month, so it’s a great time to take a look at your business’s financials! One of the pieces of advice we often tell agribusinesses is to “own your numbers”. As a business, you should understand your income and expenses, and know where the numbers on your financial statements came from. Check out this post to understand what financial statements KCARD can help with and why financial projections are important for your business.
We’re often asked by farmers and agribusinesses how to apply for federal grant programs, such as the USDA Value-Added Producer Grant (due on May 16). While these grant programs can be a good option for growing agribusinesses to obtain capital, it’s important to understand how much work goes into receiving a grant, even beyond the application itself. Often, applying for federal grants requires 40 to 80 hours of work. Check out these four tips to help prepare you for applying for a federal grant program.
Cherry Farms, located in the small community of Fountain Run, KY, has been the home and workplace of three generations of the Cherry family – but that doesn’t mean the farm has looked the same for all of these years. The farm started as a small dairy, beef cattle and tobacco operation, but owners Mark and Tonya Cherry shifted the focus to USDA-inspected beef and pork as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At KCARD, we understand how intimidating starting a business plan for the first time can be. Whether you’re starting a new business or creating/updating a plan for an existing business, there can be a lot of questions about the process of writing a business plan. While we do believe all information in the business plan is useful, there are three elements that we often encourage businesses to research further and expand upon.
Through the Kentucky AgVets program, we are working with key organizations throughout Kentucky to provide educational opportunities, hands-on training and access to funding resources. Hands-on training experiences can take two different forms; check out this post to learn which program is right for you!
KCARD is partnering with the University of Tennessee Extension’s Center for Profitable Agriculture to provide existing value-added dairy businesses with an in-depth analysis of their operation. This analysis consists of a comprehensive on-site evaluation by experienced and trained business consultants. The application deadline to be considered for the program is February 28th.
The beginning of a new year is often spent reflecting on the past year and planning for what is to come. We often make New Year’s resolutions to form new habits focused on our health and wellness; here are six habits that focus on improving the health and wellness of your business.
As a cooperative development center, KCARD publishes blog posts about cooperative development, including when a cooperative makes sense, how it compares to other business structures, and more! If you want to learn more about co-ops or are interested in developing a co-op, this blog series is a great place to start.
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.
