Marketing Sheep and Goat Products

Read this great publication about marketing sheep and goat products, courtesy of the National Sustainable Agricultural Information Service (NCAT). Get tips on marketing your sheep and goat products today, and ramp up your revenue! It is always helpful to expand your marketing knowledge!

CLICK HERE to read more!

Small Town Merchant Program

Small town retailers and restaurant businesses are the heart of our communities,therefore keeping them thriving is vital to our economy. Join the Bluegrass KSBDC and National Retail Specialist Marc Willson on January 7 to learn how your small business can grow and prosper!

What is Included?

*FREE training on how to stay relevant and improve your retail or restaurant
business with complimentary breakfast provided by Community Trust Bank.

*A limited number of businesses will be provided a FREE 90 minute business audit at their location by retail specialist Marc Willson. This audit will assess everything from curb side appeal, merchandising, pricing structure and much more. Business audits will be scheduled at the training on January 7.

*Continuing business assistance from your local SBDC consultant

January 7, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
The Woodford Inn,140 Park Street, Versailles

Call (859) 257-7666 to register
*Registration deadline is 1/2/13*

Click here to learn more!

Kentucky Fruit & Vegetable Conference

Highlights of this year’s meeting will be a pre-conference Winemaking Techniques Workshop and a Fruit Round Table Discussion. During the conference there will be sessions on Farmers’ Markets, Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Production, Small Fruit Production, Organic Farming and Gardening, the Grape and Wine Short Course, Agritourism, Beginning Fruit and Vegetable Production, High Tunnels, and Wholesale Marketing. PLEASE make your room reservations directly with the hotel.

CLICK HERE fore all the details!
 
When:
January 7th & 8th

Where:
Embassy Suites Hotel
1801 Newtown Pike
Lexington, Kentucky 40511

ATTRA "Text an Expert" Resource

ATTRA has expanded its helpline and email service. If you have a question about sustainable agriculture you can text it to them to get an answer from an expert! Just text your question to (askanag@ncat.org)

and the National Center for Appropriate Technology’s (NCAT) staff will reply to your phone!

ATTRA can taylor their answers to meet the needs of farmers or ranchers, ag. educators, or organizations that support farmers. You can call, ask online, or even text them questions now!

Learn more by clicking on the link below!

Hot Chocolate and Cool Watersheds Social

The University of Kentucky will host a Hot Chocolate and Cool Watersheds social on Tuesday, December 11th 6-7:30pm at the Coldstream Research Campus Atrium, 1500 Bull Lea Rd, Lexington, KY 40511 .

The social is an opportunity for community members to learn about stream restoration plans along the Legacy Trail in Coldstream Park and interact with technical staff and students addressing water quality issues in the Cane Run watershed. Refreshments will be served (including hot chocolate), and children are welcome (we will have a special activity for them).

Please RSVP to Esther Edwards at eedwards@uky.edu
or call 859-257-3780.

2013 Farming for Profit and Stewardship Conference

The 14th Annual "Farming for Profit and Stewardship" Conference will take place on January 18 & 19, in Lansdowne, VA.

Pre-Conference Workshops

General Sessions - Keynote, Local Food Celebration and Auction, Farmer Panel

Track 1 - Beginning Farmers
Track 2 - Scaling Up
Track 3 - Grass-Based Systems
Track 4 - Local Food Communities
Track 5 - Fruit and Vegetable Production
Track 6 - The Business of Farming

CLICK HERE to learn more or to register!

"Collaborative Marketing for Small Farms: Selling and Working Together for Profitability"

Interest in sourcing local food continues to increase at restaurants, institutions, and schools. Small farms can combine forces to satisfy the demands of larger-scale buyer’s. The “Collaborative Marketing for Small Farms” guide provides information for farmers interested in working with other farms to access new markets. This guide explains different business structure options and how to succeed in joint ventures, partnerships, and corporations.

CLICK HERE to learn more!