T&T Feed and Seed

Brothers Go from Farm to Feed and Seed

Two years ago when brothers Tyler and Taylor Nalley decided to expand their existing feed and seed business, T&T Feed and Seed in Bardstown, KY, they turned to the staff at the Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development for business planning and financial projection assistance.

"We needed to apply for a loan to expand our offerings at the store, which required financial projections. KCARD worked with us to develop the financial projections, and showed us how to take the financial projections developed and adapt them as we continued the business," said Taylor.

Taylor explained that T&T Feed and Seed was seeing an increase in walk-in customers, who were looking for a variety of different products for their home garden and pets. The two brothers also saw the demand to provide various products for outdoor activities, such as canoeing and hunting, by offering canoes, kayaks, paddles, and dog training products. The brothers developed a plan for an expansion of T&T Feed and Seed, as a way to address this growth in customer base.

"The Nalleys' hard work and dedication really showed through the whole process," stated Nathan Routt, KCARD Business Development Specialist. "It has been great to see the business successfully build on a long history in the area.”

T&T Feed and Seed grew from the brothers' existing trucking business. Taylor explained it was a natural expansion into a retail feed and seed store, and their farming background enabled them to offer trusted products that many area producers and home owners could utilize, offer customers better prices than the big box stores, and give them a local option for purchasing farm supply products, home garden, and pet items.

"Almost two years ago, we saw an opportunity and took advantage of it," explained Taylor Nalley. "My brother Tyler and I bought an existing building in town and built the business together.”

KCARD worked closely with the brothers of T&T Feed and Seed to develop a business plan, including financial projections for their expansion.

"Taylor and Tyler were great to work with and very responsive during the business planning process," stated Routt. "They believed in their project and were willing to put the work in.”

Taylor explained that they are now in another area of growth for T&T Feed and Seed. The store has been remodeled to add new products, and they are seeing an increase in producers purchasing bulk feed, and also a large increase in walk-in customers.

T&T Feed and Seed would like to expand the feed mill operation to provide additional services to customers, such as custom blending of feed and a local option for producers to bring grain to. Another positive of this expansion is it enables T&T Feed and Seed to add more variety of products to their walk-in customers.

The Nalleys understand that the key to their success is the balance between keeping their customers happy and making sure that they continue to evaluate their business as they grow. That is why they have chosen to keep KCARD involved beyond the business planning process.

"We have put in a lot of hours into this business and would like to continue to utilize KCARD to assist with further expansions," said Taylor.

Learn more about T&T Feed and Seed and the variety of products they provide by visiting their Facebook page, T&T Feed and Seed LLC.