Empowering Agricultural Businesses: The KCARD Initiative
The Kentucky Center for Agriculture & Rural Development (KCARD) is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to supporting agricultural and rural businesses in Kentucky. With a team of 14 staff members working remotely across the state, KCARD offers a range of services such as business plan assistance, marketing reviews, financial evaluations, and more. By providing educational opportunities and one-on-one technical assistance, KCARD aims to help businesses thrive and make informed decisions. Clients from various sectors of agriculture benefit from KCARD's expertise, ranging from meat processing to agritourism. Discover how KCARD works to uplift the agricultural community in Kentucky.
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Presentation Transcript
The Kentucky Center for Agriculture & Rural Development KCARD is an independent non-profit organization that facilitates agricultural and rural businesses in Kentucky.We provide educational opportunities and one-to-one technical assistance to new and existing agribusinesses.
How KCARD Works Independent non-profit organization 14 staff members who work remotely across the state Majority of services are free of charge thanks to funding received from KADF and USDA Prefer to meet with clients at their location or business Our success is our client s success Third party advisor Make informed decisions
What Do We Do? ASSIST WITH BUSINESS PLANS REVIEW MARKETING ANALYZE FEASIBILITY OF NEW VENTURES, NEW IDEAS HELP BUSINESSES FIGURE OUT WHAT LOANS AND GRANTS ARE GOOD FITS ANSWER QUESTIONS EVALUATE FINANCIALS ARCGIS, TECH/WEBSITE QUESTIONS, EMPLOYEE ISSUES, MANAGEMENT QUESTIONS, AND MORE COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT
Key Business Development & Planning Topics Goals Marketing plan Target Customers Key products/services features and benefits Sales and promotion strategies Management & operations plan Financials Performance measures Cannot manage what you do not measure
KCARD Clients All Sectors of AG including: Meat Processing Value-added dairy Farmers Markets Agritourism & on-farm markets Grain Elevators Feed Mills Produce marketing and distribution Beginning farmers
Examples of KCARD Clients AW Meats (Greenup County) Four Hills Farms (Mercer County) Lexington Farmers Market (Fayette County) Solway Farm (Hardin County) Alvio s Cuban Meats (Jefferson County) Food Chain (Fayette County) Franklin Grain (Simpson County) Chaney s Dairy Barn (Warren County) Obenchain Farms (Hancock County) Central KY Growers Association (Scott County) Logan Street Market (Jefferson County) Hampton Premium Meats (Christian County) Green Terrace Market (Daviess County) Country View Creamery (Todd County) Drury s Custom Processing (Mercer County) Bearfruit & Grow (Jefferson County) On Tapp Dairy (Washington County) Need More Acres (Allen County) Happy Hills Farmstead (Greenup County) Elmwood Stock Farm (Scott County) Kentucky Organic Farm and Feed (Todd County)
Expansion of Services as Needs Develop Planning Your Farm Diversification workshop Disaster Assistance Meat Processing Business Development AgVets Program Beginning Farmer Video Series
Diversification of KCARD Funding Streams KADF Smaller % of KCARD Budget KADF Smaller % of KCARD Budget: KADF accounted for 35% of KCARD funds in 2023 More Federal Funds: More Federal Funds: KCARD is primary awardee on three large federal grants Increase in Funds from Partners Increase in Funds from Partners: KCARD is a sub-awardee on 12 federal grants with organizational partners. Growth in Fee Growth in Fee- -for for- -Service Funds: Service Funds: KCARD earned over $121,000 in contracted fees for service in 2023, which was a 39% increase from 2021.
Number of Farms and Businesses Assisted: 516 Job Created: 114 Jobs Saved: 790 Federal Funds Attracted for Clients and Partners: $2.56 million Growth in Clients Sales Revenue: $7.7 million KCARD Client Success Rate: 90% Economic Impact: $14.5 million KCARD Performance Measures (2023)
KCARD has always and will continue to work hard, work smart, and work together to serve all of Kentucky agriculture Contact us at: kcard@kcard.info kcard@kcard.info or 859 859- -550 550- -3972 3972 or
