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!
Apply for a Value-Added Dairy Business Evaluation by February 28
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.
New Year, New Habits
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.
Cooperative Development Series
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.
Lackey named KCARD executive director
The Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD) board has announced Brent Lackey has been appointed KCARD's new executive director, effective November 1.
National and State Highlights from the USDA 2020 Local Food Marketing Practices Survey
In addition to the Census of Agriculture, USDA conducts topical surveys that cover specific sectors in agriculture such as Local Food Marketing Practices. We dove into the 2020 Local Food Marketing Practices survey results that were released in April 2022, and we resurfaced with a trove of information that highlights the current status of local food nationally and within the state.
What Happens to the Family Farm: Succession Planning 101
“What happens to the family farm?” is a question that commonly comes up after an unfortunate accident or death, which can add stress and tension to an already difficult situation. However, it’s ideal to create a plan early so the farm can pass more smoothly to the next generation. In this post, we discuss initial questions to consider and the best first steps to take when beginning the process of succession planning.
Buying Directly from Local Farmers Increases the Farm Share of the Food Dollar
We have all felt the increase in our bills at the grocery store this year, but what does that mean for farmers? The difference between retail prices of food and farm-level prices includes costs of distribution, processing, marketing, packaging, retailing, and more. Buying directly from farmers and supporting local food suppliers helps bring more of the food dollar back to the farm.
5 Myths About Crop Insurance
Farmers purchase crop insurance to protect their crops from things like natural disasters, diseases, insects and market pricing drops. There are many myths about crop insurance, including that it’s too expensive and it’s only for “big” farms, which we’ve debunked in this post.
Kentucky AgVets at Kentucky State Fair
Are you headed to the Kentucky State Fair this year? Come and visit the AgVets team at our booth located in the Gourmet Gardens area in the South Wing lobby. Our team will be there on August 21st for Military Appreciation Day and August 28th for First Responders Day.